Feeling
Overwhelmed
When we start to feel overwhelmed at home or at the office, or when we are
driven by endless “to do” lists, we ignore the needs of our spirit and soul –
our mind, will and emotions. Our spirit gets weak and unhealthy when we put
everything else before Bible reading and worshipping with our brothers and
sisters in Christ. Our soul will not tolerate us abusing our body and soul
without breaking down in some way or another.
Chronic
stress increases our body’s tendency to get sick. Everything from chronic lung
congestion, acne, heart attacks and stroke, obesity, muscle illnesses, stomach
ulcers and colon diseases and depression all accompany stress. Our body is
reacting to the stress in our life, because our mind is trying to get our attention.
As we de-stress, these issues tend to clear up as well.
But when we are so overwhelmed at work or with the children and the endless
items on our “to-do” list, it can be hard to remember to check in with our self
to see how we are dealing with the issues in our life. Taking breaks as a
scheduled part of our day will help to relieve the stress and make life more
manageable. The antidote to this issue is to build some de-stressing time into
our daily schedule.
There
are many tried and true de-stressing ideas circulating on the Internet. Here
are a few de-stressors
that I use:
1. Remind yourself that God is in control. If He isn’t, then surrender to Him.
2. Take the kids and a good book or your favorite smoothie to the park. Let
the kids play and watch them with one eye, while you get lost in your Christian
novel or savor the sweet fruit of your smoothie.
3. Put a de-stressing photo on your screen saver on your computer to “get
lost in the photo” for a minute or two throughout the day; or actually take a
short walk out in nature and breathe in the fresh air and sunshine.
4. Have a bottle of lavender oil handy and take a minute to breath in the
scent. Lavender is known to relax. You can put a Tablespoon of lavender oil in
a spray bottle and spritz your face as you breath in the scent whenever you
feel stressed.
5. A few moments of deep breathing, stretching and/or a short walk to the
restroom and back will help to de-stress your body. Or you can sit in the chair,
slowly bend at the waste and touch your toes as you breathe out. Then slowly
rise to a sitting position as you slowly breathe in clean, fresh oxygen, which
will energize your body.
6. Keep a notebook at your desk/kitchen counter and take a moment to write out what is causing your stress in a sentence or two as a prayer to God. Then ask God to help you to resolve the issue or leave it in His capable hands to resolve in His own way and timing. Remember to write a note by the prayer to remind you of how He worked in your behalf when He answers that specific prayer. Rereading this notebook will build your faith the next time you feel stress.
6. Keep a notebook at your desk/kitchen counter and take a moment to write out what is causing your stress in a sentence or two as a prayer to God. Then ask God to help you to resolve the issue or leave it in His capable hands to resolve in His own way and timing. Remember to write a note by the prayer to remind you of how He worked in your behalf when He answers that specific prayer. Rereading this notebook will build your faith the next time you feel stress.
7. Citrus is a known stress buster, so snack on an orange or drink some
juice.
8. Turn on the Christian music and work or clean or tend the children with
the scriptural words bathing your spirit. Use earphones if you have to.
9. Have the children help you with the chores around the house. Promise a
treat at the end of the chore time to give you all something to look forward
to. Bake cookies or have a small bowl of fruit sherbet or go to the park to
play or have a few chocolate kisses, or whatever gives you the incentive to get
the work done. (For and age appropriate chore list see:
http://thehappyhousewife.com)
10.
Remember the words of 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore
I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power
may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in
insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG.”
When
we stop trying to control life and give God control over our life, we allow Him
to provide for and to protect us. His mighty power starts working in us and
through us. When we completely surrender our self to Him, He accomplishes
infinitely more through our life than we could ever ask or think (Ephesians
3: 20). Being
in the center of God’s will is the happiest place on earth.
Prayer:
Father
God, Remind us not to be anxious about any trial that comes our way and to take
everything to You in prayer, thanking You for Your provision in every instance
of our day. As we bring our requests to You, allow Your peace to guard our
hearts and minds as we focus on Christ’s triumph on the cross, which helps us
to triumph over every situation in our life (Philippians 4:6-7). You give us peace that surpasses anything the world
can provide for us. When our heart is troubled or we are afraid, remind us to
cast our cares into Your capable hands. You will sustain us and never allow us
to be overwhelmed (John 14:27;
Psalm 55:22). I commit my way to You, Lord, and trust in You as I watch You act on
my behalf (Psalm 37:5).
Thought
for the Day:
Nothing
is so urgent that we should allow stress to ruin our health.
