PRACTICAL STRESS BUSTERS
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, and Christmas soon thereafter, two of the most fun-filled times of the year, one of the negative realities that almost every one of us has to deal with is added stress. With that in mind, let me share 20 “Stress Busters” with you that will help you make your coming weeks more pleasant at home and more spiritually fulfilling to you personally. The following are not arranged in any kind of ordered priority, so just take them as a composite:
- Go to bed on time.
- Get up on time so that you can start your day unrushed.
- Say “no” to projects that you don’t believe are a part of God will for your life.
- Pace yourself by spreading out big changes and difficult projects over time.
- Live within your budget.
- Have back-ups (like an extra set of car keys).
- Talk less…Listen more! This simple piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble!
- Do something for the “kid in you” every day.
- Get organized so that everything has its place.
- Eat properly and get some regular exercise.
- Listen to a CD or a playlist while driving that will improve your quality of life and lessen the frustration of waiting in traffic.
- Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to solve major problems or pray for the first time that day.
- Build your most trusted friendships with godly people.
- Laugh!
- Develop a forgiving attitude. Most people are doing the best they can.
- Be kind to unkind people because they probably need it the most.
- Sit on your ego and overly sensitive feelings.
- Slow down!
- Remind yourself that you are not “The General Manager” of the universe.
- Every night before you go to bed, try to think of some unique thing that you’re grateful for because sometimes the shortest bridge between despair and hope is a good “Thank you…Jesus.”
Devotedly your pastor,
Bill Blanchard