4 Tips for Reducing Stress

I have three part-time jobs, writer, Master’s student, and mom, so time is of the essence. Too often I feel anxiety’s claws creeping up my neck, digging into my shoulders, and tying knots in the muscle fibers, leaving aches and pains behind.

So, how to untie the knots anxiety leaves? Try these tips for reducing stress.

Tip 1: Start With Him

I begin the day with Jesus.

And I don’t shortcut Him even if I have a full day. If anything, I take extra time and trust Him to make up the difference later.

Tip 2: Work With Him

He sets my schedule, so I ask what to do when. When I start my work, I stop and pray, asking Him to direct my thoughts, word choice, fingers, etc. (My typing skills are adequate, not stellar.) As I start and stop through the day, I’m trying to discipline myself to pray before each task.

Tip 3: Rest In Him

When I feel anxious, I stop and pray for God’s peace. He sets my schedule and if He wants to change it, that’s His business. My job is to rest in Him and trust that what needs to get done will get done. The rest can wait. I do not move on until I sense His peace.

Tip 4: Walk With Him

Repeat the process until it’s as normal as breathing.

And guess what? This works (He works) with your children too.

My daughter, now a junior in high school, balances a heavy academic course load with twelve-plus hours of dance every week. Last year, stress and strain coated her face like too much makeup. I wasn’t having it this year. We prayed over her school classes. We prayed over her dance schedule. Full though it was, we felt like God had led her in those decisions. I challenged my daughter to confront her stress with prayer. Every time. And I added that if she looked like she did last year, something would go.

Three months into school, her stress level has changed visibly. Why? Knowing God has led her, she trusts God to help manage her time and is training herself to go straight to Him when that sneak, anxiety, appears.

He will help you manage your stress too.

Questions:

What triggers your stress? Your kids’ stress?

Do you pray about your commitments? Your kids’ activities?

Would your schedule look differently if you did? Would theirs?

If you have prayed, do you still get stressed? How do you handle it?

Tweetables:

I begin the day with Jesus. And I don’t shortcut Him even if I have a full day. Click To Tweet
He sets my schedule, so often I ask what to do when. Click To Tweet
When I feel anxious, I stop and pray for God’s peace. Click To Tweet
Repeat the process until it’s as normal as breathing. Click To Tweet

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