Arghhh…………..STRESS!!!
Introduction
STRESS, what does the word makes you think of?
Audience suggestions….
(TENSION)
(STRAIN)
(ANXIETY)
(FEAR)
Stress is what you feel when facing FEAR, CHANGE, PRESSURE, or THE UNKNOWN
It is the WAY your body and emotions react to challenges.
It is a natural and even positive, reaction, when KEPT UNDER CONTROL.
The Two Faces of Stress
Good..preps you for a challenge…extra energy and concentration to handle a difficult task or situation. Then the sense of stress should pass away.
Bad..when the signs and symptoms of stress continue after it is needed…not meant to be constant…it’s no good when your mind and body don’t get the chance to rest and return to normal.
Signs and Symptoms of Stress
Perspiration
Cold hands
Knots in your stomach
Pounding heart
Tense muscles
Tension headaches
Ulcers
High blood pressure
Falling to destructive behaviors
Bad habits/sinful conduct
Creating addictive conditions
Stress can make you
Physically sick
Emotionally depressed
Spiritually fallen….slip, sliding away.
You can’t avoid all stressful situations, but you can control how you handle them!
(Parental caution about over-protection verses teaching to properly handle stress)
Causes of Stress?
Finances
Relationship issues
Work issues
Colossians 3:23
Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Traffic hassles
Total Overload
Matthew 6:25 (NLT)
"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?
THE BIG THREE
Change in relationship(s)
Change in living conditions
Change in employment
(STRESSFUL even when positive…it’s still CHANGE/UNKNOWN)
Sin/Sinful Behavior
Unforgiveness—The poison you take internally yourself in hopes of killing the other person.
IT ONLY HURTS YOU MORE!
Learning to manage stress:
Avoid small annoyances
1 Peter 1:13
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the special blessings that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ.
Exercise
Physical—Good but,
1 Timothy 4:8-9
Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it.
Spiritual—WORD, WORSHIP & PRAISE
(As discussed last week)
Keep a sense of humor—“He who laughs, lasts”
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Set time to relax and refocus on what GOD has for you…even the tough stuff!
Romans 5:3-4
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
James 1:3-4
For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
Proverbs 14:30
A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away.
Hebrews 4:9-10
So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who enter into God's rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world.
Psalm 91:1-2 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.
Psalm 23:2
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
Psalm 139:3
You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.
Share your problems with
God: REALLY give it all over to God, “Release YOUR grip!”
(Ask God…What do you want me to see, learn, or understand?)
Philippians 4:6-7
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:9
Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever.
1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.
Psalm 119:143
As pressure and stress bear down on me,I find joy in your commands.
Godly friends/counsel
Be aware of too many chances in your life at once
(be sensitive of others going through too much too)
Reduce consumption of alcohol, sugar, and caffeine
*My high school daze
*My college/work/church haze
*The FDA would deny us caffeine
1 Thessalonians 5:6b
Stay alert and be sober.
Galatians 5:19
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure,
Ephesians 5:18
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.
Luke 21:34
(JESUS WARNS)… Watch out! Don't let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware.
Get enough sleep
(Sleep deprivation is a form of torture…stop torturing yourself)
Rejoice in the Lord and Know Him
1 Peter 1:6-11
Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.So, dear brothers and sisters,work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away.And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Set Godly priorities
Put GOD first….yourself, family, friends, work, church….
See others as Christ does
Matthew 7:12
Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
Be an active part of the Body of Christ
1Peter 4:9
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
Proverbs 12:25
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Know your limits…Your not God, but you are a Child of God!
Don’t Worry Be Happy
It’s more than just a cute song…
Billy Graham:
The happiness which brings enduring worth to life is not the superficial happiness that is dependent on circumstances…The happiness for which our souls ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one which will root deeply inside us and give inward relaxation, peace, and contentment, no matter what the surface problems may be. That kind of happiness stands in need of no outward stimulus.
Have A Nice Day
*Harvey Ball would get letters from all over the world thanking him for Smiley. How do you put a price on that? He died with no apologies and no regrets.
*At its peak of popularity in 1971, more than 50 million Smiley Face buttons were sold.
Conclusion:
MAKE THE BEST OF STRESS W/O STRESS GETTING THE BEST OF YOU!
Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Indentify stressors and reactions
Learn to relax
Develop a positive attitude about yourself
Organize your time and set Godly priorities
Practice a healthy and holy lifestyle
Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy and Have A Nice Day
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Bobby McFarin
Here is a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note Don't worry be happy In every life we have some trouble When you worry you make it double Don't worry, be happy...... Ain't got no place to lay your head Somebody came and took your bed Don't worry, be happy The land lord say your rent is late He may have to litigate Don't worry, be happy Lood at me I am happy Don't worry, be happy Here I give you my phone number When you worry call me I make you happy Don't worry, be happy Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style Ain't got not girl to make you smile But don't worry be happy Cause when you worry Your face will frown And that will bring everybody down So don't worry, be happy (now)..... There is this little song I wrote I hope you learn it note for note Like good little children Don't worry, be happy Listen to what I say In your life expect some trouble But when you worry You make it double Don't worry, be happy...... Don't worry don't do it, be happy Put a smile on your face Don't bring everybody down like this Don't worry, it will soon past Whatever it is Don't worry, be happy
