STRESS: Is it really worth it?

Since I'm a Psychology/Counseling major, I was just studying the topic of "STRESS" and thought I'd share with you a disorder most of the human population suffers from without even realizing it. What is stress and how it is caused?

Stress, is a word we can all relate to in our lives and one that we all seem to interpret differently. Some may think of their overload of responsibilities, including; work, school, family, church, home-making and house-keeping, bills, finances and so forth. Stress is caused by triggers to the human brain.  Our bodies respond to stress by activating the nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to produce more hormone adrenaline and then release them into our blood flow. These hormones then speed up heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and so forth. Blood vessels ofen widen to let more blood flow to large muscles, tensing our muscles. These reactions test a person's "stress reaction". This natural bodily reaction is known as a STRESS RESPONSE.

What do you stress? I've been reminded that as Christians, we are called to live by 1 Peter 5:7, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (NLT)

Here are some other "techniques" that may be helpful for you:

• Pray, Pray, Pray!
• Don't over-commit or commit to things you don't really have time for.
• Learn not to let the little things stress you out.
• Don't bottle up feelings (letting feelings fester inside of you isn't healthy - emotionally or physically).
• Try to focus on the positive in life.
• Don't ignore or procrastinate (simple things like bills and research papers - it will save you a lot of stress in the long run to stay on top of your responsibilities and do a little at a time instead of letting responsibilities build up).
• Take time to spend time with family, read a book just for fun, take a relaxing weekend away or take a nice bubble way once in a while. Take some time to relax and rejuvenate once in a while.

The recovery of stress is not an easy process, it takes time. Stress takes such a toll on our body and emotional state and getting out of that pit isn't easy, but it must be taken one day at a time. You have to learn to change your mindset and outlook on life. It's not as simple as just holding a "stress ball" and being okay after squeezing it a few times (although that would be nice:)

  


For me, stress has been a huge aspect in my life and I now have acid reflux disease and ulcers because of it (yes, it physically takes a toll on your body). I'm learning to fully trust and rely on the Lord in every aspect of my life. My husband has also been a huge encouragement to me, helping me realize that physically and emotionally, it is not worth it to stress the small stuff. It's still a battle for me today, but I thank the Lord for helping me...He is my source of Strength and is ever-present in my times of trouble! Today, to relieve stress I try and focus on the blessings in life and realize that I'm missing what the Lord has for me by getting distracted by all the "small stuff" and I pray that you find that peace if you too have struggled with stress.

While working on my project, I saw this clipart and it made my laugh and I hope it makes you laugh as well ...

Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." (NIV)

Every Second Counts!

Henry Gariepy once said that, "God daily deposits into our account of life 84,000 fleeting seconds, 1,4000 precious minutes and 24 shining hours."

The question is, are we taking every possible chance we can to serve others, tell others about Christ and draw closer to our Savior? I, for one, do not utilize every second the Lord has blessed me with...seconds I do not deserve. Why can we do, precious sister in Christ? Don't miss another opportunity! You know that opportunity where you feel led to tell someone about Christ while your heart is pounding like a hammer repeatedly hitting a nail and your palms are sweating ... yes, you know what I'm talking about...we've all missed those precious opportunities and we can't jump on a time machine and travel back to re-do those missed moments. The good news is...there's always today! Seize the opportunities! Show others the joy of the Lord. Knowing He loves us should make us want to sing, shout, dance (no matter how uncoordinated you are*cough) ... and so forth.

I was reminded of the lyrics to "The Happy Song" by Delirious:
"Oh I could sing unending songs
Of how You saved my soul
Well I could dance a thousand miles
Because of Your great love

Verse 1
Yeah!
My heart is bursting Lord
To tell of all You've done
Of how You've changed my life, and wiped away the past
Oh I wanna shout it out
From every roof top sing
For now I know that God is for me not against me

Everybody's singin' now....cause we're so happy!
Everybody's dancin' now....cause we're so free!
If only we could see His face
And see Hin smilin' over us
As unseen Angels celebrate, cause joy's in this place!"

Financial Advice from Anita Renfroe

"Please allow me to offer a simple financial plan. Invest in chocolate. Buy bars. Lots of bars. If we do enter anything approximating a real financial depression, you will not be able to improve your mood with gold."
— Anita Renfroe (Don't Say I Didn't Warn You: Kids, Carbs, and the Coming Hormonal Apocalypse)

Welcome, Beautiful Woman!

Dear Beautiful Woman,
You've been on my heart - no, I may not know you exactly by name, but you are a woman busy for God! You are juggling work, children, home, after-school and sporting activities, church events, planning menus, washing and cleaning for your house-hold....and the list continues! But, how often are YOU encouraged? Well, I hope this new writing adventure brings you encouragement and a smile to your face. We all need some time to un-wind and re-focus. There will be devotions, menu ideas, cleaning tips (for those who love to clean, like me:)) and much more. Keep pressing on, beautiful lady! Keep being who God created you to be - a virtuous Woman.

Here is an encouraging verse to ponder for today, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10