SPLASHES OF …HOPE! 25th OCTOBER 2013
Hello Glowing Gals
At the beginning of the week I was already thinking about Friday’s Splashes… and our Faith journey, and if I could dig up something in the area of our faith to encourage us along the way. That was as far as those thoughts went. Then two nights ago I climbed into bed with a book I took from my bookshelf ‘cos the title caught my eye = “Overcoming the Seven Deadly Emotions”.
We had done a few of these lessons a while back at our ladies Bible study. The bookmark in it was The Serenity Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi – and to jog our memories here it is: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”. One of the chapters in the book is “The burden of stress. There I lay, around midnight, staring at that little bookmark when suddenly it dawned on me how true it is that stress is exactly that…a huge burden! Confirmation for today’s Splashes on the issue of stress, came about during the course of my conversation yesterday with my younger daughter.
Here we are then, lugging those bad ol’ burdens around with us, day in and day out and all it does is drag us down! It’s too heavy, we can’t keep it up! Well ladies, right then and there I spoke to “Abba Father” and asked His forgiveness, and with the Holy Spirit’s help, enabling me from now on, I hope to “do the swap” that He offers me, to “Take MY yoke upon you.. for I am gentle.. and you will find rest for your souls. For MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light” = Matt. 11 : 29-30. Serenity is described in the Dictionary as: Calmness Peace Tranquility; Whereas Stress is described in the opposite way with words like: Strain Pressure Tension and “the result of stress = Ulcer”!!!
So ladies I will quote randomly a few things from the book that cause us emotional and physical harm. Author and Doctor [Walt Larimore] states that 90% of Americans report high levels of stress at least several times a week. He says these physical ailments are directly related to stress: *Damaged heart & blood vessels *Tense muscles *Suppressed immune system *Hormones released by the body cause the liver to release sugar [for fuel] & at the same time store fat as a backup energy source. But if not used, that fat is deposited – particularly in the abdominal region *Increased stomach acid that affects the functions of the intestines & colon – leading to gastrointestinal upsets and pain. *Hair loss. *Energy levels drop. *Changes in moods and sleep patterns. Uh oh! Do you see yourself ‘in there somewhere’? Sigh…I do!
What then to do about it, to lower our stress levels and become healthier? From the book’s title we see clearly that it is possible: “Overcoming” means WE are going to have to apply disciplinary measures in order to be free from stressing over stuff.
1 = Take God’s Word to heart and apply it daily, this is the #best place to start…1Pet. 5 : 7 = “casting your cares on Him because He cares for you”. Hand them over to the Lord. Being busy isn’t the problem, but stressing about stuff is!
2 = Maintain a Peaceful schedule >> cut out the unnecessary stuff. Often we create the stuff that stresses us, it’s true!!
3 = Get out of Debt! As quickly as you can, and “owe no man anything except to love one another” = Rom. 13 : 8[a]. The stress of that burden will give you ulcers for sure!
4 = this one follows no. 3 = Be content in the things you have instead of looking to what you don’t have and want. Hebr. 13 : 5 tells us to “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with what you have”.
5 = Maintain a peaceful home!!
6 = Exercise regularly!!
7 = Manage your time! Use your diary and make to-do lists.
8 = View your failures as ways to grow, don’t dwell on them! Phil. 4 : 8 “ whatever things are true.. noble.. just.. pure.. lovely.. good.. dwell on such things”. Find effective ways to respond to problems without “blow ups” so you remain healthy emotionally, spiritually and physically.
Why don’t you write these out and put them where you are reminded daily to do them, and start the next leg of your journey free from the burden of stress. I’m going to!
I hope you’ll join me as together we exit Aaahctober splashed with Jesus peaceand excited to “fight the good fight” of becoming the “new me – stress free”, healthy and happy “doers of God’s Word”!
Love from “Freedom Fighter” Rose xoxo Jesus loves you, and wants His best for you = Jn. 10 : 10.