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
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