As we
complete our series on learning and practicing patience, I encourage you whenever
you start to worry, stop, and pray.
Real peace
comes from knowing God is in control - and He is!
At the
beginning of this century, bacteria were considered the center of attention.
Now, fifty years later, mental stress has taken its place. S.I McMillan - None
of These Diseases
Learn
patience. Your patience with God determines His purpose with you.
The ability
to manage your emotions and remain calm under pressure has a direct link to
your performance. Researchers at the Yale University found that stress affects
physiological functions in the brain, contributing to chronic diseases like
hypertension and diabetes.
Rest
assured - the Creator ensured; due to its plasticity, the brain molds and
changes as you practice new behaviors.
Calming
Cues
1. Break
Take a
break whenever you need it. Take time to be holy and feed often on His Word.
God is not looking for a martyr. He is looking for obedience.
The morning
hours are superior for spiritual refreshment. What we put in our minds
determines what comes out in our words and actions.
Paul tells
us in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
This is a
profile, if you please, of what a Christian ought to think about; we are to
program our minds with thoughts that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of
good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Break as
often as need be. Being overwhelmed is easier to manage than being figuratively
broken in a thousand pieces through unkind words and actions.
Preventing the
use of impure, unlovely words, and facial gestures (pouting), is being
Christ-like.
Break
before YOU break. Take control. We may not be able to control the
circumstances, but we can control our behavior.
2.
Perspective
Do not over
generalize - broad sweeping-statements like “Everything is going wrong” or
“Nothing will work out!” You need to reframe the situation. A great way to
correct this unproductive thought pattern is to list the specific things that
actually are going wrong or not working out. Most likely you will come up with
just one or two things—not everything.
The key to
keeping your cool is to remember that your feelings of everything, nothing, or
always, are never accurate. The scope of the stressor is much more limited than
it might appear.
Unproductive
thinking leads to unproductive behavior. Our thoughts become our actions. Focus
your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice but it is achievable.
Above all, read God’s Word and pray. Ask Him to help you.
I spoke
with a woman out of state this morning who longs to have closeness to God yet
she cannot seem to grasp it for herself.
In sharing
my response; our minds must be free of anger and/or bitterness if we are to
have an endearing relationship with God. “And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
We are
learners and the object is to know the truth.
If you
struggle to be close to God, something has your grip. Is it pride, anger,
frustration, discontentment…? Ask God to uncover the impostor preventing closeness.
3.
Mindfulness
Being
mindful of God’s methods to control instability and insecurity is an effective
way to gain control of unruly thoughts and behaviors.
Simply put,
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5
Training
for the Christian life demands all our energies. It takes diligence,
determination, dedication, energy, continued practice, and vision.
Jesus
Christ is our perfect example of all modesty and sweet conduct. He calls to us
every day. Are you quiet enough to hear Him? He says, “If you love me, keep my
commandments” in John 14:15.
The
“Comforter” – the Spirit of God Himself – will care and guide you. The Holy
Spirit is the very presence of God within you and all Believers, helping you to
live as God wants.
By faith,
we can appropriate His power each day.
You can be
confident that the Bible is an accurate record of how we are to conduct
ourselves in this life. The Holy Spirit can help us. As we study the Bible, we
can trust Him to plant truth in our minds, convince us of God’s will, and remind
us when we stray from it.
The result
of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep and lasting peace. Unlike
worldly peace, normally defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is
confident assurance in any circumstance. With Christ’s peace, we have no need
to fear the present or the future.
If your
life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace.
Jesus says He is will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from
Him. Are you?
We can live
confidently for Him, because “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…” is with us.
Philippians 4:23
From the
Heart of Deborah Choma
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