De-stressing your life

I know this is not a self-help column, but I'd like to write to you from my experience the last few months.

I have been stressed out. My mind has been overwhelmed with my problems and concerns lately. When I went to bed my problems beset my mind, and when I woke up they were still there. As I washed my hair in the shower, my mind would roll from one problem to another. At times it seemed uncontrollable and overwhelming. I know what scripture says in 2 Corinthians 10:5-6: "...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (NIV)." An even more profound life verse for me is in Philippians 4:7-8: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things (NIV)."

With those scriptures in mind, I set about the business of de-stressing my mind and thoughts. When trying to process what challenges I should allow to take up my brain space, I screened my problem thoughts through three tests. First, I asked if the issue was real or pretend. If I was worrying about something that was an unlikely scenario, then I dropped it. Second, I asked if the stressful thing was my responsibility. If it wasn't my responsibility then I dropped it from my worry cycle. Third, I tried to honestly determine if I could make enough of a difference to justify worrying about it. Like the Serenity Prayer... "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the strength to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." When my challenges passed all three tests, I wrote them down.

Just identifying and isolating my issues brought me some peace. Underneath each issue, I prayerfully decided on an action step, or something I would be doing, and a time-frame for how long I thought it would take to resolve the issues. One of my action steps was "wait a while." For me, it was for real issues that I needed to address because it was my responsibility, and I could make an impact. Yesterday one of my staff members said, "It's good to see you smiling today. It's been a while." Suddenly I could pray in the Spirit and worship without my mind running back to my stressors. What a relief. (This article was not one of my four things. Just happened to be on my to do list.)

I trust this will be a blessing to someone today. God will help you deal with your stresses in life...if you'll just let Him. God bless you, and have a great new year.

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Watson is pastor of the Bella Vista Assembly of God.

Religion on 02/10/2016