Are You Stressed?
Some weeks are just stressful. Rushing around trying to get different chores in the house completed because visitors are coming to stay.
You’re helping your daughter look at apartments she’s interested in buying, so traipsing around the suburbs whilst you’re also trying to keep up to date with your own research and writing. Tt never stops.
And then of course amongst all of this is cooking meals, keeping up with the washing and cleaning. Most of you know how this all feels – even if not now in your life but years gone past.
So many of our parents and grandparents had to cook on wood fired stoves, after they had cleaned the clothes in a manual washing machine and wrung them out before hanging them outside. Brooms and brush and shovels used more than vacuum cleaners that were a luxury.
So, I really can’t complain too much with the automatic washing machines, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners that we use in the 21st century.
What we all share with past generations is the stress of life. Some days worse than others.
So, when we read in scripture Jesus stating, ‘don’t be anxious, don’t let stress get to you’, He is speaking to all of us.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NRSV
Bring everything to God. Ask Him to come to your side.
I often pray for peace and stop in the middle of my stressful moments and close my eyes and breathe in Him. I slow my breathing down and concentrate on Him, on who He is. On His relationship of love with me. His faithfulness.
Then I am in a different place and can focus with less stress on the jobs before me.
My head is clearer and I know that I have the best helper with me.
So, stop, focus on the one that brings true peace to you and continue with your day as planned with less stress.
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
What kinds of things cause stress in your life? What do you do to cope?
How often do you ask God to give you peace in your circumstances?
What is stopping you from asking Him to guard your heart and mind when you feel anxious?
6 Comments
Carla Villafana Villafana
Hello Rosemary. I needed this reminder today. Thank you so very much. May the Lord fill you with calm.
Susan
“Bring everything to him” and stop carrying everything on our shoulders. Thanks Rosemary for these peaceful words.
Valerie Lack
I once said to my mother, “ There aren’t enough hours in the day” to which she replied “ well we had to make do with 24 hours, so you will too” that was a bucket of cold water, if ever there was one, but she was right. With all our labour saving devices, we seem busier than ever. I don’t think we know how to pace ourselves.
What causes me stress: definitely banking on computer, trying to remember passwords. Banking was a lot easier and more efficient when we could just go into a bank and talk to a teller.
Keep telling myself that I am not alone, Jesus stands beside me. But invariably I lose my cool.
Unfortunately I forget and only remember after the event
Sue
Thank you for your message. Part of my stress reduction was also to take a few moments for prayer in the day, but also to rid myself of unnecessary tasks that just added to my anxiety. Things I thought I had to do or needed my attention. And I actually do not miss them. I believe God will provide if we listen.
Lisa Dreyer
Thank you Rosemary.
Georgie Peachey
I have been going through what was a stressful medical situation. I said to the Lord this one is for you, so I handed it over to Him!!! I went to the hospital, wasn’t sure if I could leave the car where I parked it. There was a lady passing by, I asked her, she said it was fine there. I told her I had an appointment to see a specialist there. As she asked his name, she pulled her badge out of pocket, she was a volunteer at the hospital!!! I walked with her to the hospital, she introduced me to the volunteer who was at the Entrance to the rooms where I needed to be, while I waited for my daughter to arrive. She chatted on and off to me while I while waited, which did really keep me calm!!! My Dr’s appointment went well. I have so much to be thankful for, I still have health issues but not as bad as first thought. Thank you Lord and Amen