Methods to De-Stress
Tennis season has started again.
Watching the beginning of the tournaments for the year, just even in the first round, it is very stressful.
So many good players competing for the top spot. Trying to win a game, a set and the match. Then into the next round and it starts all over again. To win is the ultimate. Some of the people I barrack for are winning, some not.
As I am watching I notice sometimes I’m getting a little anxious, my heart rate goes up and down, I’m on the edge of my seat…..
I don’t know how the players stay calm and don’t get too anxious, because it can cripple you and so hence affect your game.
You do notice this especially with a lot of the new young players just starting out in their career. You would definitely need a mind coach. Someone who teaches, trains your mind and thoughts to stay calm and focused. Otherwise, tennis players would all fall apart.
As Christians we need to do the same with our anxious thoughts, otherwise the stresses of life can get upon us. Just listening to the news at night, my anxiety can go through the roof.
Paul asks us to not to conform to this world but renew our mind and so allow our mind to be transformed by Christ, focusing on truth and aligning everything with the word of God.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NRSV
Christ tells us not to be anxious and to focus our thoughts on good, wholesome, Godly things.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 NRSV
God understands how difficult it is to live here in the world without stress and so has given us some solutions and some methods to use so as to live happy, peaceful, Christ centred lives.
Now back to the tennis where I am now calm and enjoying the players expertise. It is only a game.
May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’
Love
Rosemary
Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Is there a type of sport or something that causes you to get anxious when you watch it?
How about life? What causes you to become stressed and anxious?
How do you think these scriptures will help you to de-stress and trust in God? How do you think you’ll be able to rely on them?
5 Comments
Valerie Simms
Thank you Rosemary for this Journal jottings. What I’ve noticed upon the news and certain programs are very sad: the violence, the killing, the wars, the political contentions, starvation, rejection of desperate immigrants, disrespect of women in certain nations. All this can have a negative effect upon me that at times makes me want to cry… I am so glad that I can bring all these to our Great Loving Lord God who is All Knowing, All Love, All Just, Full of Compassion. As our Great Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ says, to keep praying and NEVER GIVE UP PRAYING… I have in my heart to see on the News GOOD NEWS!!! Yes bad news we can pray to our Great, Loving, Just Lord God, this is very important… But I believe we also need to see GOODNESS THAT OUR GOOD LORD GOD HAS GIVEN US!!!…
In Christ’s Love
Valerie
Rose C
Thank you Rosemary for the reminder i.e. it is only a game… as for me, my job stresses me no end.
I literally work from morning till nite.
Just hanging on till retirement, either this year or next year… thanks to our Good Lord, He sends me angels as I have a few good friends at our office.
It is just work! I often hear them say to me, they go lunch with me, give me little snacks to cheer me, give me pep talk… our Lord knows I need the support…God is indeed so good,I am afraid to let go of this job as I have a few mouths to feed.
Praying for you, Bruce & the team for journeying with us – You are my other angels sent to keep me going!! I am indeed most thankful & grateful!!
Valerie Lack
Not sport, but definitely World events, I keep telling myself that God has it all in hand and that it is unfolding according to his plan, however just as with the worry over family members, I keep picking up the burden of it instead of leaving it to him who loves us and knows what is best for us.
In life, driving is stressful, irrelevant situations can be stressful. Much of what is stressful is self imposed.
Reading scripture is a daily reminder that all shall be well, all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well. In the end we can do nothing but pray and put our trust in God
Joanne peters
This is a load of garbage – what are they paying you…??!!
Edith
I feel un worthy and as I get older more confused and seeing others able to do the things I enjoyed so much makes me feel unworthy but you love us and understand my hurt God knows our pain and he enjoys our happiness too and he loves us deeply may we understand he is with us always caring for us and trying to bring comfort to us let us feel it and give someone else kindness and understanding it will bring joy to make some one else happy