Stressed? Learn to Calm Yourself (Part 2)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU’RE STRESSED?
Is your heart pounding? Are you feeling a bit panicky? Does your body seem hot, your stomach a bit queasy?
You’re having a stress reaction!
Being stressed is not sinful! It is normal. Stress happens for many reasons: when you have too much going on, something unexpected happens and derails your schedule, or you’re simply wired and tired after a mentally or physically demanding day or week.
There are many steps you and I can take to lessen the negative impact of stress. Here’s a brief recap of two from the previous blog:
Step 1 is learning to cry out, “Help, Lord! Show me what to do” and training ourselves to ask God: WHAT CAN I CONTROL IN THIS SITUATION? Simply asking this allows the Holy Spirit to remind us that we can’t control someone else’s attitudes, behaviors, or choices. What we can do is ask to be filled with the Spirit to handle the situation we’re in: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Step 2: Think about the situation and ask yourself some questions: Is this worth worrying about for hours or days as I try to fix the situation or persuade another person to do what I want? Is the problem minor or major? Will it matter next week, month, or year? If not, present your worries to God and let Him sort it out. (Philippians 4: 6-7)
You’re having a stress reaction!
Being stressed is not sinful! It is normal. Stress happens for many reasons: when you have too much going on, something unexpected happens and derails your schedule, or you’re simply wired and tired after a mentally or physically demanding day or week.
There are many steps you and I can take to lessen the negative impact of stress. Here’s a brief recap of two from the previous blog:
Step 1 is learning to cry out, “Help, Lord! Show me what to do” and training ourselves to ask God: WHAT CAN I CONTROL IN THIS SITUATION? Simply asking this allows the Holy Spirit to remind us that we can’t control someone else’s attitudes, behaviors, or choices. What we can do is ask to be filled with the Spirit to handle the situation we’re in: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Step 2: Think about the situation and ask yourself some questions: Is this worth worrying about for hours or days as I try to fix the situation or persuade another person to do what I want? Is the problem minor or major? Will it matter next week, month, or year? If not, present your worries to God and let Him sort it out. (Philippians 4: 6-7)
Here are more ways to handle stress:
Step 3: Identify what causes repeated stress. Does coming home from work or a busy day and not knowing what to fix for dinner stress you out? What’s the solution? Sit down and plan your meals for the week, make a shopping list, and stop the stress!
Is repeated stress due to constantly running late because you assume you have time to add something at the last minute? Only you know why you’ve developed the habit of running late. What’s the solution? Pray for insight into what causes the problem and what steps YOU can take to solve the problem. James 1:4-5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God who gives it generously!”
Step 4: If you’re discouraged and struggling with stress, ask for help. Sometimes being willing to share a struggle with a safe and supportive Christian is exactly how we get insight and help. I’m thankful to the women God has brought into my life at different seasons—I needed their insight and wisdom, their prayers and caring. Maybe that is how God will help you. We’re told to bear one another’s burdens, so pray for God to lead you to the right person. (Galatians 6:2)
Step 5: Destress by getting what’s inside you out on paper. The Psalms are David’s journals. He wrote out his struggles, his hopes, his fears and his trust that God would rescue him.
Whether you call it journaling, free writing, or expressing your thoughts by writing prayers to God, getting on paper what is eating you up or dragging you down is a proven way to destress.
Think of writing what’s on your heart as a sacred time with God. Invite Him to speak to you. Pause and listen. He wants to help you grow closer to Him and to bring you wisdom and inner peace. Embrace David’s words and experience His presence. “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Ps. 62:8.
I hope these five ways to tackle stress are simple and practical enough for you to absorb and practice. They certainly help me. If I can be of help to you, contact me at poppy@poppysmith.com
If you haven’t already, let me encourage you to download a copy of my free Ebook: Overcoming Worry and Fear. I’m praying it will be of help in your journey with Him.
Love in Christ,
Poppy
Step 3: Identify what causes repeated stress. Does coming home from work or a busy day and not knowing what to fix for dinner stress you out? What’s the solution? Sit down and plan your meals for the week, make a shopping list, and stop the stress!
Is repeated stress due to constantly running late because you assume you have time to add something at the last minute? Only you know why you’ve developed the habit of running late. What’s the solution? Pray for insight into what causes the problem and what steps YOU can take to solve the problem. James 1:4-5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God who gives it generously!”
Step 4: If you’re discouraged and struggling with stress, ask for help. Sometimes being willing to share a struggle with a safe and supportive Christian is exactly how we get insight and help. I’m thankful to the women God has brought into my life at different seasons—I needed their insight and wisdom, their prayers and caring. Maybe that is how God will help you. We’re told to bear one another’s burdens, so pray for God to lead you to the right person. (Galatians 6:2)
Step 5: Destress by getting what’s inside you out on paper. The Psalms are David’s journals. He wrote out his struggles, his hopes, his fears and his trust that God would rescue him.
Whether you call it journaling, free writing, or expressing your thoughts by writing prayers to God, getting on paper what is eating you up or dragging you down is a proven way to destress.
Think of writing what’s on your heart as a sacred time with God. Invite Him to speak to you. Pause and listen. He wants to help you grow closer to Him and to bring you wisdom and inner peace. Embrace David’s words and experience His presence. “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." Ps. 62:8.
I hope these five ways to tackle stress are simple and practical enough for you to absorb and practice. They certainly help me. If I can be of help to you, contact me at poppy@poppysmith.com
If you haven’t already, let me encourage you to download a copy of my free Ebook: Overcoming Worry and Fear. I’m praying it will be of help in your journey with Him.
Love in Christ,
Poppy
