5 Easy Tips for Fighting Off Stress

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Psalm 5:1-3
O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.  Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

On several occasions, God has woken me up in the early morning and nudged my heart to meet with Him.  In fact, one morning last week I woke up before daylight and sleep escaped me. No matter how hard I tried to catch a few extra zzzzz's, I couldn't shake the feeling that my Bible was calling my name.

So just before sunrise, I wrapped up in a robe and went out on my deck to sit in the early morning light. As I listened to the soft chirping of birds and crickets, I filled my lungs with the fresh morning air and began to read my Bible and talk with God.  Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and the time came to get on with my daily routine.  

I knew the day was still going to be a hectic one. Stressful situations were the same as they were the day before. Difficult circumstances still had to be dealt with.  Busyness still swarmed around me. But my morning was not not routine at all.  I could tell a difference in myself. I felt refreshed, re-energized, renewed, lighter. I felt happy. I felt good. I felt at peace.

Just as I mentioned in today's Proverbs 31 Devotion called Breakfast Buddies, I experienced once again the benefit of having breakfast with Jesus. Unlike many other days where I ignored God's whispers to arise, this day was off to a great start.

Not because anything had changed in my life overnight, but because of what God had done in me that morning. He had called me into conversation, spoken to my heart, lifted my burdens, strengthened my spirit,  and helped me to have a more positive perspective about things that had been causing me stress and worry.

In Psalm 5:3, David states that each morning, he would bring his requests to God. He did not say that at the end of the day, he talked with God. He did not say that occasionally he would find some free time to pray while he was riding his camel from one city to the next. Nope, he said "each morning", as in, EVERY morning.

Each one of our lives is busy. Stressful. Maybe even chaotic. So how unfortunate it is that we take for granted the opportunity to have Jesus wash our stress away for the day, simply because we are too tired, or too busy, to give Him our devoted time in the morning.  

Notice how in Psalm 5, David not only spoke to God in the morning, but then "he waited expectantly" to hear from Him.  David knew that peace could only be found in God, despite the stress or adversities that he was facing.

Do you enjoy being stressed, distressed and depressed? Are you okay with spending your days worrying, fretting over problems, frustrated with life, and wondering if anything can ever change?

I certainly don't want to waste my life feeling that way, and I'm sure you don't either. Stress is a part of life, but sweet friends, Jesus is the answer to your stress.

Psalm 5 tells of an afflicted man who knows he cannot make it through his day without starting it off with God. David is a godly role model for us, and provides insight to 5 easy-to-remember tips that will help us embark on each day equipped and empowered with God's strength.

Those 5 tips are simply:  1. Awake   1. Arise   3. Pray   4. Wait   5. Praise

I am certainly guilty of not always giving in to God's nudges for early morning conversation, yet I know that when I do, the little bit of sleep I sacrifice is a small price to pay for the blessings I receive in return.  

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Have you ever witnessed the power and strength and blessing that comes when you spend time with God early in the morning?  How has having breakfast Jesus made a difference in your life? 

If you have never considered the importance of getting up early to spend time with Jesus - or if you feel consumed by stress and have been desperately searching for relief to help you get through the day - will you commit to giving Jesus a try?

Leave a comment and share your experiences to encourage others, or post your new commitment!