Daily Bible Lessons for You #1 ~ Stress
To [b]effectively overcome stress[/b], you need to think about your [b]physical health[/b], the way you [b]interact with others[/b], and [b]your goals[/b] and [b]priorities[/b] in life...that is, what [b]you consider to be truly important[/b].
This is a personal review of some practical principles from the [b]Bible[/b] that can help you to deal better with and overcome stress, maybe perhaps even reduce it.
[b]Try to Live One Day at a Time[/b]
Matthew 6:34 (NLT) ~ [b]"Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties."[/b]
Daily anxieties are a part of life but do not increase today's anxieties by adding tomorrow's to them. Make sense? Try to live one day at a time. Stress can cause anxiety. So try this:
[b]#1 Recognize that some stress might inevitable. Fretting over things you prevent or control increases your stress.[/b]
[b]#2 Understand that quite often things do not turn out the way we may fear they will.[/b]
[b]Set Reasonable Standards[/b]
James 3:17 (NLT) ~ [b]"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical."[/b]
Do not become a perfectionist. Avoid setting unrealistically high standards for yourself or others. So try this:
[b]#1 Be modest, set reasonable standards, and know both your limitations and those of others. When you do this, you will reduce stress all around and even encourage greater success.
#2 Keep a sense of humor. When you laugh, even when something goes wrong, you relieve tension and brighten your mood.[/b]
[b]Know What Stresses You[/b]
Proverbs 17:27 (NLT) ~ [b]"A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a discerning man will remain calm."[/b]
Negative emotions can cloud clear thinking, so try to stay calm. So try this:
[b]#1 Identify what stresses you, and note your response. For example, when you feel stressed, note your thoughts, feelings, and behavior, perhaps even making a record of them. By becoming more aware of your response to stress, you may be able to deal with it more effectively.
#2 Think of ways to eliminate stressful things from your life. If that is unrealistic, look for ways to reduce their impact, perhaps by managing your tasks or time more efficiently.
#3 Try to see things in a different light. What stresses you may not stress someone else. The difference may be in viewpoint.[/b]
Consider three suggestions:
[b]▪️ Do not be quick to assume bad motives. A person may cut ahead of you in a line. If you attribute his act to rudeness, you may become upset. Instead, why not assume that his motive was good? You might be right!
▪️ See the positive side of a situation. A long wait at a doctor's office or an airport is easier to bear if you use the time to do some reading or catch up on work or play a game.
▪️ Keep the big picture in mind. Ask yourself, 'Will this problem be a big issue tomorrow or next week?' Distinguish between minor or short-term issues and more serious ones.[/b]
This is a personal review of some practical principles from the [b]Bible[/b] that can help you to deal better with and overcome stress, maybe perhaps even reduce it.
[b]Try to Live One Day at a Time[/b]
Matthew 6:34 (NLT) ~ [b]"Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties."[/b]
Daily anxieties are a part of life but do not increase today's anxieties by adding tomorrow's to them. Make sense? Try to live one day at a time. Stress can cause anxiety. So try this:
[b]#1 Recognize that some stress might inevitable. Fretting over things you prevent or control increases your stress.[/b]
[b]#2 Understand that quite often things do not turn out the way we may fear they will.[/b]
[b]Set Reasonable Standards[/b]
James 3:17 (NLT) ~ [b]"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical."[/b]
Do not become a perfectionist. Avoid setting unrealistically high standards for yourself or others. So try this:
[b]#1 Be modest, set reasonable standards, and know both your limitations and those of others. When you do this, you will reduce stress all around and even encourage greater success.
#2 Keep a sense of humor. When you laugh, even when something goes wrong, you relieve tension and brighten your mood.[/b]
[b]Know What Stresses You[/b]
Proverbs 17:27 (NLT) ~ [b]"A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a discerning man will remain calm."[/b]
Negative emotions can cloud clear thinking, so try to stay calm. So try this:
[b]#1 Identify what stresses you, and note your response. For example, when you feel stressed, note your thoughts, feelings, and behavior, perhaps even making a record of them. By becoming more aware of your response to stress, you may be able to deal with it more effectively.
#2 Think of ways to eliminate stressful things from your life. If that is unrealistic, look for ways to reduce their impact, perhaps by managing your tasks or time more efficiently.
#3 Try to see things in a different light. What stresses you may not stress someone else. The difference may be in viewpoint.[/b]
Consider three suggestions:
[b]▪️ Do not be quick to assume bad motives. A person may cut ahead of you in a line. If you attribute his act to rudeness, you may become upset. Instead, why not assume that his motive was good? You might be right!
▪️ See the positive side of a situation. A long wait at a doctor's office or an airport is easier to bear if you use the time to do some reading or catch up on work or play a game.
▪️ Keep the big picture in mind. Ask yourself, 'Will this problem be a big issue tomorrow or next week?' Distinguish between minor or short-term issues and more serious ones.[/b]
22-25, M
