Stress
is a major factor in many illnesses we experience. This negative emotion erodes
the cells in our body, and also wreaks havoc in our soul - throughout our
thoughts, choices and emotions.
While
stressed, we rarely take stock of the moment or consult the Lord for His plans
(Proverbs 3:5-6). We focus more on the future and past than the current moment;
and we forget to consider the many blessings, with which God drenches our daily
life.
We
are shamed by our past and overcome with fear of the future, speculating on how
our current situation will progress. We worry about how to prepare for
tomorrow, how to keep everyone happy with us, and even how political, societal
and environmental changes will affect our life.
The
only healthy solution to this totally human response to life is to disengage. When
we disengage, we follow the advice of the Serenity Prayer, and separate the
issues bogging down our mind into two categories:
1.)
Those things that we can influence, and we pray for God's direction for us in
them.
2.)
Those issues we will leave in God's capable hands and trust in His goodness and
wisdom.
We
also totally rely on the anointing of God's Spirit to keep us on the path that
He preordained for us to follow before we were ever born (Ephesians 2:10). We
consult the Lord's desire in the current moment, and pay attention to the present
details of our circumstances.
We
reconnect with important people in our life - forgiving and asking forgiveness
when necessary. We make time to have fun with our family and friends, rather
than constantly adhering to a strict work schedule at home and in our vocation.
We
spend time in God's creation, breathing in the fresh air and drawing
inspiration and energy from His natural beauty and order all around us. We
absorb the sights, sounds and smells that we notice - completely engaging in each
moment of time.
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us to pay attention to the inner dialogue of our own soul, and to begin
meeting some of our needs that we usually neglect. Remind us that caring about
and for our self, in the same way that we care for everyone and everything else
in our life that demands our constant attention, is of vital importance to the
health of our body, soul and spirit.
Remind
us to fully experience each moment of time that You allow us to live in Your
service, and to praise You in every one of them - giving You the glory that is
due to Your name. We want to enjoy the experiences that You plan for our day,
and to embrace our intimacy with You through every trial that we encounter - hearing
Your will and embracing Your love through them all.
Thought
for the Day:
Fully
living in the moment, and following God's will during each one of them, will
reduce the stress in our life and give us a healthier future in body, soul and
spirit; we set aside our desire to achieve that next step in societal success,
and our need to be productive every moment of our day, in order to walk in
obedience to God's Spirit and to completely engage and participate in His plans
for each moment of our life.
