Monday, February 9, 2009

RELAX to Relieve Stress

Are you feeling stressed? Here is a way to relieve your Stress. This is a prescription for pressured people -- an alternative way to RELAX.

R -- Realize your worth

The reason most people overwork is because they confuse their work and their worth. We think that if we work a whole lot, achieve a lot, we're worth a lot. The antidote is to realize how much God values us. Romans 5; 8 says, " But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

E -- Enjoy what I already have

Resist the desire to acquire. Be content with that you have. It takes time to learn contentment but it can be learned.

L -- Limit my labor

This means making a conscious decision to make time for other things besides work. Remember, life isn't just about work

A -- Adjust my values

This is changing my thinking about what is really important. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36)

X -- eXchange my pressure for God's peace

This gets at the very root of stress. There are three kinds of fatigue:

*There is physical fatigue -- tired muscles. This can be replenished pretty quickly. A body massage, a visit at the spa, etc.
*There is emotional fatigue -- tired emotions, feelings.
*There is spiritual fatigue -- a dry spirit. The last two are the deepest.

A vacation may be helpful but it won't help the last two in the list above. Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Jeff

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