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Friday, April 17, 2009

Address Your Stress (Causes & Cures)

25 Causes of Stress
1. Prayerlessness; lack of "quiet time"
2. Ignorance of God 's Word & His promises
3. Poor nutrition and lack of rest/exercise
4. Undesirable living space/cluttered environment
5. Workplace issues (office politics, peer conflicts; incompetent subordinates; problematic bosses)
6. Obsessing over weight or personal appearance
7. Associating with argumentative, frustrating, negative people
8. Competing; keeping up with the Joneses
9. Envy; viewing someone's success as your failure
10. Inflexibility; inability to accept change
11. Failure to delegate tasks; being a control freak
12. Failure to distinguish between "important" vs. "urgent" tasks
13. Seeking perfection
14. Sweating the small stuff (bad drivers, rude clerks, put downs, etc.)
15. Unrealistic expectations of yourself or others
16. Unresolved interpersonal conflicts; silent treatment
17. Failure to establish boundaries or to communicate your preferences
18. Poor financial management; past due bills
19. Poor time management; failure to plan for unexpected events
20. Guilt; refusing to apologize
21. Allowing others to "push your buttons"
22. Undue concern about the opinions of others; fear of rejection
23. Saying yes when you want to say no
24. Over extending yourself; too many commitments
25. Swallowing your anger


25 Cures for Stress
1. Make and keep a daily appointment with God.
2. Recite Scriptural affirmations daily (e.g. "This is working for my good…"; "I am more than a conqueror…")
3. Remind yourself that God has sealed your destiny; therefore, no one can thwart His plans for you.
4. Tell the truth; do right; wrongdoing causes stress.
5. Extend grace, mercy, and generosity to others.
6. Respect other people's opinion; refuse to argue about anything that does not personally impact your life.
7. Chose one day of the week to enjoy real food; no "light", "non-fat" or "low-carb" stuff.
8. Admit your mistakes, faults and failures (people connect with you better when they see your vulnerability).
9. Express your boundaries, desires, and preferences - in a calm, non-hostile manner.
10. Take the "high road" in conflicts; humble yourself.
11. Learn from the burn, but forgive to live.
12. Hug your loved ones (or somebody) daily; show and accept affection.
13. Let go of what you can't control (events, other people's behavior); control what you can (your response).
14. "Fast" from complaining, criticizing, and cussing.
15. Delay material gratification; practice spending less or spending later.
16. Accept your unchangeable physical features as God's special "branding" for His purpose.
17. Laugh often-especially at yourself.
18. Prepare and follow a prioritized "to do" list; limit tasks to 3-4 per day.
19. Applaud someone's success; don't hate-congratulate, appreciate, emulate!
20. Slow the pace at which you talk and move.
21. Minimize the consumption of "white" foods (sugar, flour, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc.) and caffeine
22. Stop using stress-related phrases ("run to the store", "grab a bite", "jump in the shower", etc.).
23. Breathe deeply & slowly (10 breaths) at least five times a day - preferably outdoors.
24. Use "waiting in line" time productively (take a mental time-out; tighten your muscles, memorize a Scripture).
25. Do some form of exercise daily (walking, stair climbing, (at least a few minutes).

Thank you so much sister Deborah Smith Pegues for coming up with such a blessing way for us all to address our stress. I pray the Lord continue to bless your gifts, talents and ministries abundantly. PS. It’s official; I now own a copy of all your books. Thanks!
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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.