You Asked For It, Week One: How Do I Handle Stress?

"HOW DO I HANDLE STRESS?"  Stress stats from the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STRESS: 44% of Americans feel more stressed than they did 5 years ago 1 in 5 Americans experience EXTREME stress (hands shaking, heart palpitations, depression) 60% of all disease and illness is caused by stress. 3 out of 4 doctors visits are for stress related ailments. Stress increases the risk of heart attack by 25% and a stroke by 50%. Stress related ailments cost the nation $300 Billion a year in medical bills and lost productivity What causes our stress? Money Time Relationships Conflict I'm married I'm not married Job Deadlines Parenting Expectations of others The next President of the United States The Indianapolis Colts Coaching staff I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV) God never promised to TAKE AWAY your trouble, but to give you PEACE IN THE MIDST of your trouble. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all… Psalm 34:19 (NIV) Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-10 (NIV) My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Selah) Psalm 62:5-10 (NIV) Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:5-10 (NIV) Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Psalm 62:5-10 (NIV) Time Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT) You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT) Money But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV) Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV) This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it… Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)   …and you will find rest for your souls… Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV) 3 PRACTICAL Principals for navigating through your stress: Live with a sense of PURPOSE and URGENCY. Put FIRST THINGS first. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)  Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)  Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV) Keep my HEART SET on HEAVEN. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1-2 (NIV)  My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2 (NIV) The key to handling our stress is to stop asking God to change OUR SITUATION… and to start asking Him to change US.