How to Handle Stress

Lights. Everywhere. From neon signs to Christmas decorations, the holiday season bursts forth in light.

And yet, darkness presses.

Stress as we try to get everything done.

Human frailty in illness and old age.

Mental and emotional strain from relationships.

From students cramming for exams to moms in full holiday swing, pressure throws its weight around. We feel heavy, burdened.

Where is the joy of the season? Could it be that this time simply makes us homesick for a place where things are perfect? In the meantime, how to handle the stress? Isn’t this supposed to be fun?

Priscilla Shirer has a great December post. She talks about how God has planted imperfection in everything to show us that nothing and no one can ever substitute for Him. Everything falls short of His perfection, making us long for Him. As we draw close to Him, she encourages us to release our expectations of others. (To see Priscilla’s post, click here.)

I challenge you to release those expectations of perfection from yourself.

Here are some tips to (sing it) let it go. Backed with God’s word (which I know you’re making time for).

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9 NIV)

Tip 1: Give yourself permission to simplify.

Tip 2: Downsize the to-do list.

Tip 3: Focus on a few things and be still.

Tip 4: Allow Him to be strong in your weakness.

Allow the truly perfect One to shine. Let His light push back the darkness.

And, come, let us adore Him.

Questions:

What is one thing you can delete from your to-do list that will allow you or your family to focus on God this season?

What expectations of perfection do you have for yourself—either for the holidays or in general?

How do these expectations affect your behavior? Do they cultivate the fruit of the Spirit? (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control)

Are you passing these expectations to your children?

Tweetables:

Give yourself permission to simplify. Click To Tweet
Downsize the to-do list. Click To Tweet
Focus on a few things and be still. Click To Tweet
Allow Him to be strong in your weakness. Click To Tweet
Allow the truly perfect One to shine. Let His light push back the darkness. Click To Tweet

22 Comments

  1. themarriagetips.com on March 12, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    Thanks a bunch for the fantastic read!

  2. fileice downloader license on March 20, 2015 at 8:40 am

    Hi mates, Һow iѕ everything, and what yoս
    want to say on the topic οf this article, іn my view its truly amazing іn favor оf
    me.

  3. responsive web design on March 25, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    I think this is among the most important info for me. And i am happy studying your article.
    However should remark on some normal things, The web site taste is ideal, the articles is in point
    of fact great : D. Excellent activity, cheers

  4. autopartsguru.tumblr.com on April 4, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    It’s awesome in favor of me to have a web site, which is good designed for my knowledge.

    thanks admin

  5. about.me on April 9, 2015 at 11:58 pm

    This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found
    something which helped me. Kudos!

  6. www.facebook.com on April 10, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    Hi there to every one, for the reason that I am
    genuinely eager of reading this weblog’s post to be updated daily.
    It includes pleasant stuff.

  7. adult on April 10, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    For newest information you have to visit web and on web I found
    this site as a finest website for most recent updates.

  8. b on April 15, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Hellο, aftfer reading this awesome articlle і am too cheerful to share my
    knowledge here ԝith colleagues.

  9. binäre optionen on April 25, 2015 at 10:13 pm

    It’s awesome for me to have a site, which is beneficial in favor of my experience.
    thanks admin

  10. twitter.com on April 27, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    Hi there, You have done an incredible job. I will definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
    I’m sure they will be benefited from this website.

  11. coque iphone 5s on May 28, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the
    net. I’m going to highly recommend this site!

  12. odzyskiwanie danych lubin on June 6, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    I have read so many articles or reviews about the blogger
    lovers but this post is really a nice paragraph, keep it up.

  13. blank t shirts on June 24, 2015 at 1:46 am

    I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s
    both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is something that not enough
    folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this during my
    search for something relating to this.

  14. low fat recipes on December 11, 2015 at 2:32 am

    You need to be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality sites on the internet.
    I will highly recommend this blog!

Leave a Comment





Join Gayle

Subscribe to get my latest content by email.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Recent Posts