"40% of the things we worry about never happen, 30% are in the past and cannot be changed, 12% concern the affairs of others that are not our business, 10% involve real or imagined sickness, and 8% are worth worrying about" (Neil Clark Warren).
Things that stress you out:
- Bathroom scales
- Subtracting your checkbook
- Final exams in college
"I think you ought to know about the trouble we went
through... we were crushed and completely overwhelmed,
and we thought we would never live through it" (2 Corinthians 1:8, the Apostle Paul & Timothy on a missionary journey in the province of Asia).
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'RE AT THE BREAKING POINT:
1) Release your frustration.
- Pour out your heart to God, for He is our refuge
(Psalms 62:8).
- "Humble yourself under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
* The best reason to give God your stress?
- I'm not making too much progress on my own
- He knows more about my needs than I do
- He can handle it
- Why carry heavy burdens when I don't have to?
- Other: _____________________
2) Resist becoming bitter
- Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you. It causes deep trouble, hurting many in their
spiritual lives (Hebrews 12:15).
- No matter what happens always be thankful, for this
is God's will for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
* Gratitude is an antidote to bitterness. What's something you are grateful for today?
_____________________________
3) Receive help from others.
- By helping each other with your troubles, you obey the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
- Encourage each other and give each other strength
(1 Thessalonians 5:11).
One area of your life where you would like to receive help
from others: _____________________________
4) Refocus on Christ.
- When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once
more to the Lord (Jonah 2:7).
* Three things to focus on doing:
a) Reading God's word (Bible)
- As pressure and stress bare down on me, I find joy in your commands (Psalm 119:143).
b) Remember God's goodness
- I would have despaired unless I had believed
that I would see the goodness of the Lord. Be strong,
and let you heart take courage- wait for the Lord
(Psalms 27:13-14).
c) Rely on God's power
- We saw how powerless we were to help ourselves. Therefore, we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for He can even raise the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9).
5) Refuse to give up.
- Since God in His mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we ought to never give up. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we were not demoralized. We were not sure what to do, but did not giving up. How could we? Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the
inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes
by without His unfolding grace. That is why we never
give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are
being renewed everyday. For our present troubles are
quite small and won't last very long. So we don't
look at the troubles we can see right now. Rather, we
look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the
troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to
come will last forever (2 Cor. 4:1, 8-9, 16-18).
- Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are
weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Walk with Me and work with Me. Watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace" (Matthew 11:28-29).
The reason you won't give up in dealing with the stresses of life:
- I know God is with me
- I choose to believe God cares and is in control
- I know God can use this difficulty for my own good
- There are no better alternatives
- Other:_____________________
