ANXIETY, STRESS, WORRY

Christians! Cast These Storms To The Wind
And Let Them FLY!

CAN YOU RELATE TO MENTAL STORMS OF ANXIETY, STRESS AND WORRY?
Christians, let's be honest here, has any single one of us, in life, escaped the cyclones of power existing in these three categories? God knows I have fallen victim to these whirlwinds! BUT NOT FOR LONG!

Depending on your character - and we are all different in one way or another - each of us has our own technique for releasing these monsters from our lives.
Unfortunately, not every Christian that finds release in strolling along soft, warm sand of a beautiful beach everyday is able to do that. I, for one, would daydream about looking out of my front door to find a view of a tranquil lake surrounded by mountains to divert the stresses, anxieties and worries that torment me from one time or another... but that is not the case. When I open my door I see a sidewalk, a mailbox, a street, the neighbors house across the street and the sky behind it. And I'm GRATEFUL to see it!

I recall several years ago I talked to Jesus as such:
'Lord, if I had a beautiful home, snug in a valley, surrounded by nature all around me, I could stay focused on you more. In an instant I heard a gentle inner voice reply, 'You must find me here first.'
I never mentioned those words to the Lord again. I got the message...

So what are some realistic steps I apply to defeat anxiety, stress and worry? I STOP - right then and there - when my guts start churning - and make myself reflect on these words:

Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God's own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4: 6,7

What good does it do and what will it accomplish to worry and stress yourself, wallowing in anxiety, over matters that are uncontrollable? For instance, could any one of us, or a band of us, have stopped Hurricane Katrina from going where she went or doing what she did? NO. And although she caused havoc and destruction upon many cities it was a signal for the world to focus on PERSONAL insight. People of all ages, religions, races - of every walk of life - turned within their own hearts and released the compassion of Christ implanted deep within them.

Of course we all will encounter mental storms of anxiety, stress and worry from time to time or even daily! We should not LIVE in these storms. It's not healthy and quite frankly it's annoying to those around you! Have you ever been victim to someone who corners you OFTEN and repeats the same negative thoughts to you OVER AND OVER AND OVER? After a while it gets to the point where you become anxious and stressed yourself! Sure, it's good to have someone to vent to for a few minutes (chose this person wisely!). BUT after you said what was bothering you THEN DROP IT. Do NOT get caught in lingering aftermath of mental storms! MOVE ON and divert your emotions to more peaceful ones. Do not allow yourself to get "worked up". Do not become a nervous wreck because you need things to always flow in line with your way of thinking or reason. It's extremely frustrating to desire everything to meet your expectations!

ARE YOU A WORRY WART? (Been there - was one)

Jesus asks...Which one of you by worrying can add a moment to his lifespan?Matthew 6:27

Well... which one of us can? Not one. Zero. Zip.

Jesus said it plain and straight. No need to elaborate further.

So, with that confirmed now you can get a grip on the grips of worry. Refuse to live a nervous wreck! When we dwell on events that do not go our way or we try to "out think" beyond our capacity then we set ourselves up for unnecessary stress and anxiety. We destroy our bodies and our peace that Jesus promises us:

'Peace' is my farewell to you, my peace is my gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful.John 14:27

As Christians we can rely in the peace of Jesus. We CANNOT rely in the peace of the world - this will not remain a steady peace. Only the peace of Jesus is unmoving. Trust Him!

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