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January 4 - 36 Christian Ways to Reduce Stress . . .                        (back)

36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS 

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice." 

1.      Pray. 

2.      Go to bed on time. 

3.      Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed. 

4.      Say "No" to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health. 

5.      Delegate tasks to capable others. 

6.      Simplify and unclutter your life. 

7.      Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.) 

8.      Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. 

9.      Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together. 

10.   Take one day at a time. 

11.   Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it. 

12.   Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases. 

13.   Have backups -- an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc. 

14.   K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble. 

15.   Do something for the kid in you every day. 

16.   Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line. 

17.   Get enough rest. 

18.   Eat right. 

19.   Get organized so everything has its place. 

20.   Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life. 

21.   Write down thoughts and inspirations. 

22.   Every day, find time to be alone. 

23.   Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray. 

24.   Make friends with Godly people. 

25.   Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand. 

26.   Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you, Jesus." 

27.   Laugh. 

28.   LAUGH SOME MORE! 

29.   Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all. 

30.   Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can). 

31.   Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most). 

32.   Sit on your ego. 

33.   Talk less; listen more. 

34.   Slow down. 

35.   Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe. 

36.   Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. 

January 10 - A Carrot, an Egg and a Cup of Coffee . . .             (back)

A Carrot, an Egg, and a Cup of Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

May we all be COFFEE! 

January 17 - Secure in My Insecurities . . .          (back)

Secure in My Insecurities

by Mike Barres

Weaknesses are something that we usually try to hide. I’m not referring to sin. I’m referring to emotional, physical and mental weaknesses. Typically we hate our weaknesses and wish that we were different. We rarely share our weaknesses with others because we want people to think we are strong.

One time when I was preaching I said, “I thank God for my insecurities because they make me depend on Him.”

Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life says that God likes to use weak people. Great! I’m a good candidate then. Rick says that God can use our weaknesses in 4 ways:

• It makes us more dependent on God and more prayerful.

• It keeps us from becoming arrogant and proud.

• It makes us realize our need for other people and fellowship.

• It actually makes us more sympathetic and effective in ministry to other people with weaknesses (which actually includes all of us if we are honest).

Being honest about our weaknesses is difficult.

Rather than trying to hide our weaknesses and putting up a front to cover them, we would actually do better to admit them. It would put us at ease and actually make it easier for others to relate to us.

Being honest about our weaknesses is difficult, but look at how honest Paul was. He admitted the following to the Corinthians: “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” (1 Corinthians 2:3) Paul tells about God’s revelation to him: “And He [God] said to me, ’my grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We all have weaknesses and that’s OK. We can relax and realize that God can use us in spite of our weaknesses just like he used the apostle Paul in his weaknesses. We can even thank God for our weaknesses if they make us humble and make us depend on Him more. Then when God uses in spite of our weaknesses, He gets all the glory, not us.

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)

January 24 - 27 Indications that We Need Revival . . .              (back)

27 Indications that We Need

1. When we do not love Him as we once did.

2. When earthly interests and occupations are more important to us than eternal ones.

3. When we would rather watch TV and read secular books and magazines than read the Bible and pray.

4. When we have little or no desire for prayer.

5. When we would rather make money than give money.

6. When our Christianity is joyless and passionless.

7. When we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.

8. When we make little effort to witness to the lost.

9. When we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.

10. When we do not tremble at the Word of God.

11. When we seldom think thoughts of eternity.

12. When we are more concerned about our jobs and careers than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.

13. When Christian husbands and wives are not praying together.

14. When our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies and ungodly lifestyles.

15. When we watch things on TV and movies that we would not show in church.

16. When our prayers lack fervency.

17. When our hearts are cold and our eyes are dry.

18. When our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.

19. When we aren’t seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.

20. When we are bored with worship.

21. When we are more concerned about what others think about us than what God thinks about us.

22. When we are making little or no difference in the secular world around us.

23. When we are unmoved by the thought of our neighbors, business associates and acquaintances going to hell.

24. When we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our sin.

25. When we aren’t exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.

26. When the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages and our church.

27. When we are blind to the extent of our need and don’t think we need revival.

January 31 - What the Bible Teaches about Suicide . . .           (back)

What the Bible Teaches about Suicide

Are you feeling that life isn't worth living anymore? Do your problems seem too big to handle? Does it seem that no one cares? Sometimes these feelings of despair or apathy cause people to think about suicide. What does the Bible say?

Suicide is not a new idea. The Bible records seven suicides.

Abimelech - Judges 9:52-54. Abimelech lacked personal identity.

Samson - Judges 16:25-30. Samson died for a cause he believed in and for revenge.

Saul - 1 Samuel 31:4. Saul was stressed out, unable to live up to certain expectations; felt rejected and a failure

Saul's armor-bearer - 1 Samuel 31:5. Impulse, he wanted to die with his boss. 40% of teenage suicide is impulse.

Ahithophel - 2 Samuel 17:23. Ahithophel was bitter because his advice was not followed.

Zimri - 1 Kings 16:15-20. Rebellion; Zimri had a problem with authority.

Judas - Matthew 27:3-5. Depressed, Judas felt trapped by materialism and guilt.

What the Bible says about taking your own life.

1. God has a great plan for your life. God has created us in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). He created us for a purpose. God has a specific plan in mind for everyone. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

2. God's plan is for life, not death. The Bible teaches that both physical and spiritual death are the result of our sin and disobedience to God, but eternal life is a gift to those who receive it. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

3. Jesus taught that death and destruction are the work of "the thief" (Satan). He said, The thief comes only to steal and destroy (John 10:10). John 8:44 says that Satan is a "murderer" and the "father of lies." The feelings of despair that lead to suicide are caused by some of his lies.

4. Jesus wants us to have life. He said: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).

5. Life belongs to God. It is never our place to take our own life or someone else's life. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

If suicide isn't the answer ... What is?

1. The solution to despair and hopelessness is not suicide, but faith in God. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you (Psalms 33:20-22).

2. Christ promises that He will give us rest from our problems. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

3. Tell someone. Tell your parents, your brother or sister, your teacher or school counselor, your pastor or youth minister that you are thinking about suicide. If a friend tells you that he or she is serious about suicide, then you need to tell someone who is responsible and can help.

4. Accept Christ's free gift of eternal life and salvation, if you haven't already. Romans 10:13 says: For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
John 1:12 says: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

5. When we accept Christ, God gives us a brand-new life and sees us as completely holy and righteous. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17). God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

6. Because of God's salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross, we can have assurance of eternal life with God. I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)

Copyright © 1997, Dawson McAllister Live!, All Rights Reserved

Suicide - Could I Really Hurt Myself?

I was depressed, but I wanted to deny it. I began to have thoughts of how to commit suicide. I knew that I was very discouraged because the events in my life were not going in the direction that I wanted or expected them to go. But could I really be depressed? Was suicide a possibility? Surely, I could deal with this! I didn't need help. I could handle this on my own. After all, things weren't that bad, were they?

Then menacing thoughts began entering my head - ways to commit suicide. I wondered how to tie the right knot to create a noose. Would that pole up there be strong or high enough to hang myself? Would I have the physical capability to accomplish such a feat? These methods of suicide were frightening thoughts. Where had they come from? How had they gotten into my head?

Later, the thoughts became more insistent. It was as if these thoughts had a character all their own, a separate entity, that had somehow taken residence inside my brain. I was starting to get worried and wondered if I needed help. I was not moving beyond this and the horrifying thoughts were getting worse!

I didn't tell anyone about these thoughts. They were so horrific to me - to my usual upbeat, outgoing personality. I was afraid to tell people for fear that they would minimize my feelings and make me feel ashamed. They might reject me and I couldn't deal with those reactions. I was trying so hard to cope with what was happening to me. I wanted to be strong. I wanted to believe in God. I tried very hard to think positively. Maybe I could purge that terrifying intruder who had begun to reside in my brain!

I attempted to deal with the depression on my own, but the insistent voice became stronger. I reached a point where I figured out a method of suicide and wondered how I should phrase the suicide note that I would leave for my family. One part of my brain mulled these thoughts in a totally irrational manner while the more rational part of my brain knew suicide was wrong and that it would destroy my family. It was almost as though I were two people at times - the person controlled by this insistent voice and the other part of me that loved God and believed that He did have a good plan for my life in spite of the painful trial that I was so deeply immersed in.

Silencing the Intruder

My thoughts were centered on how to commit suicide. I knew I was in trouble and needed suicide help. I could not deal with this on my own. The thoughts were too much! I needed help! Deep in my heart, I knew that God loved me. I didn't understand how He could love me, but I believed that He did. I first sought my pastor's wife, a person I respected very much. I was surprised and comforted to know that she had gone through some serious depression and understood what I was going through. She encouraged me to not fear medication and counseling. With a combination of medications, counseling, and God's help, I am greatly improved and no longer depressed. The horrifying intruder has never returned.

If that terrifying intruder has brought thoughts to your mind, don't hurt yourself. You are loved! No matter what your situation is, there is help. Don't be prideful or ashamed like I was. Talk to a doctor, counselor, church leader, or suicide prevention center. Get the help that you need and deserve. You don't need to live in depression or frustration.

Getting Help - Understanding God's Love

God knows that you are contemplating how to commit suicide. Although at the time I could not see it, I now realize how much God loves me. I know that He was there to protect me and that He put people into my path to help me through that difficult time. I have learned so much about how wide, how high, how long, and how deep God's love is.

I have seen that He willingly put His Son, Jesus, to death for me so that I did not have to. As I picture Jesus hanging there on the cross, with a heart full of love for me, He asks, "Is this not enough?"

www.BridgestoRecovery.com - Struggling from Suicidal Thoughts? Let Us Help You, Call: 866-614-5821

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255): Suicide hotline, 24/7 free and confidential, nationwide network of crisis centers.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-784-2433

This month's song is "Sweet Hour of Prayer."