Tag Archive for: stress

Cancel

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My calendar is peppered with the word “cancel.” It’s easier to erase an appointment if it’s written in pencil. At least the evidence of a failed, re-scheduled, or cancelled date doesn’t hit me in the face every time I view the page. Often I’ll place an un-smiley face nearby to remind me I was none too happy to “X” the event out. Most of the cancels can be traced back to COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

This is the third or fourth time an event or series of events originally planned, and looked forward to, is put on hold or not happening at all.

  • Doctor appointment for my mother-in-law to see her new doctor
  • Breakfast/lunch date for my birthday with my sister (still hasn’t happened)
  • Travel down south to visit family

Disappointment, dashed hopes, plans, dreams gone by the wayside. That’s one perspective—the one I tend to linger in and gravitate to. Woe is me! I can’t do such and such. Go to this place. Have fun.

The flip side is an angle I must work on to develop and make it my go-to lifestyle and automatic reflex.

What if this happened (or didn’t happen), plans adjusted, cancelled because of something else underlying? Something bigger or better? Something neither you or I can see or know on the time spectrum.

Maybe the timing wasn’t the best. If I’d been down south, I’d missed something up north. Who knows? Don’t know if you or I’ll ever know. I’m reminded to be content in whatever circumstances I’m in. Right here and right now. Cancel, no cancel. Re-schedule or no re-schedule.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declared the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9

What if I were to dwell on these words? My life would be filled with more joy and less stress. I’m see more blessings in the interim vs. just doom and gloom.

  • What ways can you change your thinking around to think less of what you didn’t get to do or be?

This post has been part of the Five Minute Friday writing challenge group. A challenge to write for 5 minutes on a given topic each week.

Feeling cowardly or courageous?

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How do you handle bad news? Or news that could potentially be negative? Do you fuss and fume for days on end like I am inclined to do?

I’m programmed to ask my family and friends for prayer. Even that took years to sink in that more prayers equal more power. But I’m sometimes negligent to go to my heavenly Father immediately. I tend to over-analyze the situation looking at all the possible human angles. If the result of that situation is ____, then what about ____? This could happen and if that happens, then such and such could result.

As a child, I learned the verse “Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” I didn’t forget the verse, but I don’t always put the verse into practice in my own life when worries knock at my door.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”—Joshua 1:9.

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be strong and courageous. But sometimes I more closely resemble a coward. Teach me to lean on You. I need to believe and trust that You have my best interests in mind. Help me to live my life in such a way that others see I am not afraid of whatever comes my way. I want to rejoice in You during the good and the bad times. With You by my side, nothing is impossible. Amen. 

What circumstance in your life today causes you grief or stress?

Feeling weak today?

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“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength” – Corrie ten Boom.

This is so true! How many times have you worried & fretted about this or that and the very thing you stressed about never even happened? Or, the results weren’t nearly as terrible as you’d imagined them to be.

Wasted energy. Wasted time. Those are the situations when I needed to go straight to God at the beginning of my worry. It would have saved myself much heartache & headache.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” – Luke 12:6.

Thank you, God, for caring for me. I find it hard to imagine that you care for me so much. But it says so in your word. So I believe it!

Is there something in your life right now that causes big-time stress? Maybe it’s money issues, loss of a close friendship, or an upcoming job interview?  Can you tell it to Jesus & ask for his peace that passes all understanding?

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My marching orders

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“Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life …” (Deuteronomy 30:20).

I’ve had a busy, busy week entertaining family and long distance friends. A good week in most respects, but exhausting. Stress is stress. There’s good stress and bad stress. Either brings with it a need for renewal of body and mind. What to do first in order to recover? Where do I begin? So much to do — so little energy and motivation.

As I pull apart the verses above and search for answers, I see a few secrets for life renewal:

  1. Choose to love the Lord your God
  2. Listen to his voice
  3. Obey his commandments
  4. Commit self firmly and hold fast to God

Live life exuberantly. The Lord your God is your life (Deuteronomy 30:20).

Dear God, help me quiet the racing of my mind and heart. I need to filter out all else so I can listen to your voice alone.

Harmony

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Harmony — what most of us strive for in our everyday life. What many are unable to grasp. The opposite of harmony might be stress or frustration.

When two or more individuals sit together in a room, a sense of harmony is either felt or not. If harmony is felt, productivity rises. Camaraderie boosts self-esteem and a sense of belonging reigns.

I look forward to being captivated for an overnight retreat with a group of fellow writer friends. Some I know; others I do not. We’ll be together for 24 hours participating in various activities such as:

  • Goal setting
  • Journaling
  • Writing
  • Self-editing
  • Critiquing

Will it be hard work? Yes. But, ‘twill be worth it!

All the people invited and attending will be of the same mind. The same attitude of goal seeking with an attempt to better themselves and learn more of the craft of writing. Do we all write the same type of pieces? No … some write fiction, others non-fiction, screenplays or poetry. We are created different, but similar in many respects.

Like-mindedness. Unity. Compatibility. Respect. Artistic talents.  These qualities achieved by thinking highly of others and not thinking too highly of self. Most possess sensitive spirits; some harbor bruised lives and egos. Yet, we carry on the mission and passion God instilled in our hearts long ago. Desiring to put down on paper what God has taught us. Eager to share personal knowledge and words of wisdom from having walked dusty, bumpy trails.

In the book of Galatians, Paul tells believers in Christ about the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). These are traits God is pleased with and would smile upon.

This is what I see manifest when I rub shoulders with my fellow harmonious comrades.  It’s almost like being with family; except with friends, I can choose them!

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” — Psalm 139:14.

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