DEVIOTION

Trial by Fire: How to De-stress and Not Distress in Difficult Times
by Dr. Randy Carlson

“Americans are stressed out, and they are dealing with that stress in an unhealthy way.”Those are the words of Helen Mitternight, spokesperson for the American Psychological Association’s Practice Directorate which, in partnership with the National Women’s Health Resource Center and iVillage.com, conducted a telephone survey that serves as a ringing wake up call for people dealing with stress. The news isn’t good. The poll of over 2,100 adults, taken earlier this year, showed that people overwhelmingly react to work and family stress by engaging in distinctly bad behaviors– such as comfort eating, making poor diet choices, smoking and inactivity– and are more likely to report hypertension, anxiety, depression or obesity.

Women, the survey indicated, describe feelings of nervousness, wanting to cry or lacking energy; men were more likely to experience sleeplessness or increased expressions of irritability and anger. About 12 percent more women than men said they coped with stress by eating – a practice that actually birthed fatigue, insomnia, and guilt, adding to their perceived stress.

Jesus Christ actually affirmed that your life would be burdened by stress; not exactly an encouraging word. But His statement was also punctuated with a promise of hope in John 16:33. “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

As a Christian, you have the incredible resource of God’s presence and power to help you cope with stress. Tapping into that resource, though, requires some work on your part. But listen – I guarantee that if you put in the effort on the front-end to consistently access Him, the personal payoff on the back-end will be a “de-stressed,” not distressed, existence. You’ll be happier, healthier, and your intimacy with God will grow.Here are four practical, Biblical responses to the stress in your life:

1. Live intentionally
2. Pray about all things
3. Don’t allow your emotions to run your life
4. Don’t overreact, but think things through

For the full, detailed article, please visit: http://www.theintentionallife.com/Article.asp?ID=179

and http://www.theintentionallife.com/Article.asp?ID=179 for more bible studies and resources.

-Calida A.