How to lower stress levels
Katie Semple,
17th Aug 2018
Tags:
Life
Blog
Stress
Stress. It’ll getcha. There always seems to be more to do in one day than is humanly possible!
School deadlines, work responsibilities, people depending on you - here are three things you can do today that will lower your stress and get your priorities on track:
Trust in God
Yes, I know this one may sound redundant. But, seriously! If God is really who he says he is, then we have no cause to worry! He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and good.
If you are a follower of Christ, he promises to work everything for your good. Jesus even told us not to worry about our needs, because our heavenly Father knows what we need. Instead we are to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Can anyone care more for you and help you more than God?
Can anyone care more for you and help you more than God? And if he
withholds something that you want, doesn’t he know better than anyone what is best for you?
I know this is a hard idea to swallow. I really do. We want that 'thing' (the best college, boy/girlfriend, the test score, or career) so badly! But friend, I can tell you over and over about the peace that comes when we truly relinquish our will and trust in God’s good plan. I’ve lived it!
Say no to something
I don’t know about you, but I’m naturally an over-committer! It has taken several minor freak-outs and failures for me to learn how to say “no.”
Faith, sleep, food, and family should be at the top of your list, not the bottom.
Here’s how you do it: Sit back for a second. Notice the fact that you are currently living in a human body, which is unable to function outside of the
constraints of time and contains only so much physical stamina. Now take a glance at your calendar and pick something to cancel. Preferably something towards the bottom of your list of priorities. (Here’s a hint: faith, sleep, food, and family should be at the top of your list, not the bottom.)
If this is really hard for you to do, you might need to go to People-Pleasers Anonymous with me for a while. We really like to be superheroes don’t we? We don’t want to let anyone down! But what does this reveal about our hearts? The Bible tells us to work for the Lord and not for man. When we frantically centre our lives on others’ expectations, especially if other commitments keep us from trusting God and obeying his commands, we are working for man and not for the Lord. So you may need to say no to something this week so that you can order your life in a way that honours God.
Take care of yourself
Sometimes stress is a sign that we are physically weak and in need of rest, or food, or time alone in prayer. Learning when to put other things on hold and take some time to recharge, will come as you learn your own limits.
It is good to rest and then to return to your responsibilities with new energy!
Sometimes you won’t have the luxury of resting as much during some seasons, but the God who never sleeps commanded Sabbath rest for his people in the Old Testament. Whether or not you practice an actual day of rest, or incorporate it into your daily routine, resting is a good reminder that you are weak and God is sovereign. It is good to rest and then to return to your responsibilities with new energy!
Don’t put the weight of the world on your shoulders when it’s clearly resting on his!
Lastly, know that you’re in good company! I had to preach this to myself today, because I was getting my priorities mixed up. We’re all struggling daily, but God’s grace is sufficient for us in our weakness.
