I once heard a preacher say: "We cannot control if a bird flies over our head. But we can control whether or not we let that bird build a nest in our hair".
Kind of a funny quote, yet holds a profound meaning.
The world is harsh. The news is packed with daily negativity. Bad stuff happens. And society teaches us to have an "it's all about me" mentality. To make matters worse, the devil constantly tries to fill our heads
with the wrong kind of thoughts. Thoughts that make us feel discouraged,
depressed, distressed, less-than, and distanced from God.
If we aren't careful, that tangled up mess of negativity and
pessimism can gradually build a nest in our hearts.
If we desire to be an optimist, even in the face of pessimism, and want to avoid any nest building taking place, we must consciously choose to focus on the joy we have in Christ, even when everything in life is not falling into the joyful category.
The fact is, our world thrives on negativity and optimism. But just as God instructs us to remember in Romans 12:2, we do not have to conform to the world's patterns of thinking. We can live in the world, but not of it - but we must consciously choose to set ourselves apart even when it comes to attitude. There is a lot of negativity flying around, but we don't have to let it settle within us.
God provides streams in the desert even when life seems dry and negative, just as the giveaway book today refers to. How amazing to know that we can swim in that stream of God's goodness and optimism any time we choose.
A signed copy of Stressed-Less Living
A Spa Pouf
Streams In The Desert Daily Devotional, by L.B. Cowman
Apple Body Spray
How to enter to win:
Visit my Facebook page and answer the questions posted on my Wall today, so that your friends can also have an opportunity to ponder the question when they see it on your wall.
Sometimes when we take time to think about what we can do to make changes in our life, change begins to happen.
For those of you who are not on Facebook, leave a comment to answer this question below:
What one change (possibly based on the suggestions in the 10 Day Stress Detox or your own idea) can you implement right now in your life to take control of your stress, instead of letting your stress control you?
35 comments:
I believe that being more organized would take a tremendous amount of stress away. Less time to find things. I am not a naturally organized person, and it's difficult for me to implement an organizational system. I think I would be good at following one, I just need some help getting it started, but I know that it would be worth it!!
Charity
Boone, NC
Charity - I agree, being unorganized can make anyone feel stressed! It certainly does for me. Upon reading your comment, I couldnt help but think that you should read Glynnis Whitwer's book, called "I Used To Be So Organized", its available on the Proverbs 31 site if you want to check it out!
I find surrendering my thoughts and will to God's thoughts and will relieves my stress about any given situation. It is not easy or automatic. I am trying to move this strategy to the first position for every occurence. Right now, sometimes my first reaction is to play the victim and wonder why I must go through "this." After I get tired out (months later), I turn to God. When I do, He takes the stress away. Oh, Sstan will remind me of it and try to get me depressed again. But I am learning with each new trial not to entertain those thoughts when they come back to distract me. Once I have put something in God's hands, I try really hard not to take it back.
I believe I can rob myself of the good things and rich blessings God has planned for me if I fight His will for my life. This is why I am trying to strengthen my relationship with Him. If I am following His will for my life, I don't have to get upset when bad things happen. I only need to rest assured that my Heavenly Father loves me, not one hair falls from my head that He is not aware of, and He is in complete control as He promised He would be!
I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COMPULSIVE
HOARDING AND GENERALIZED ANXIETY
DISORDER AND ADD, SO I COMPLETLY
AGREE WITH ANONYMOUS. THE HOARDING
IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, BECAUSE
ALL THE STUFF MAKES IT HARD TO LIVE
A NORMAL LIFE, BUT THE IDEA OF GETTING RID OF IT CAUSES MORE ANXIETY!! PLEASE GOD- HEAL ME!
I need to forgive and forget! Once in awhile I remember someone who hurt my daughter that was a grownup and I start to stew about it. Then I remember I have to forgive again!
One thing I can change is speaking more positive words over my situations.
I need to be more focused on being organized and patient in the mornings.
Emily S
Azle, Texas
I think that in my situation I need to counteract negative thoughts with positive ones. And I need to be agressive and intentional about it. Why is it so easy to listen to and believe the voice in our heads when it is nothing but negativity but when the voice starts to say positive things we tune it out? That is a way of thinking that needs to change - at least for me. I plan to try following up each negative/victim type thought today (and there have already been a few) with at least one positive/victory type thought that counters it.
Dawn M
Bloomington, IL
Giving all my negative thoughts/ worries over to God. And to give it over to Him and not try to take it back. I am really bad about handing it over but not really ever letting it go.
I need God's wisdom on how to move forward on the things that stress me out rather than staying "stuck" waiting and hoping for help & support that I rarely get from those that I'm "counting on.". Thanks for the giveaway.
Right now I feel stressed about a lllooonnngggg list of personal as well as "Nebraska Family Times" and other writing things that I must get done this week and in the next few months (like renew my nursing license). I've started making written lists of what I need to do so I'm sure not to forget (as long as I don't lose the lists...haha...but I've done it before!) When I write the items down it takes away the stress of trying to remember "everything".
The one thing I can do is stay focused on GOD in ALL things. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my problems and stress, I forget to go to God!
I will take time to be more grateful for all of the good in my life.
Tami-Lynchburg
I am going to start everyday with the Lord. Surrendering my everything to him and allowing his peace to completely saturate my life.
Anita
WI
I am going to take EVERY negative thought captive! And NOT allow them to control me! I refuse to live with my head hung down anymore. I will replace negative, self-loathing thoughts with self-affirming positive ones!
I need to be proactive instead of reactive. So much of my stress is caused by me reacting to situations that I could have avoided or planned for.
Mary Lou
Nassawadox, VA
JESUS is the center of my life, EVERYTHING revolves around Him, don't look to the right, don't look to the left, keep centered on JESUS. He is he answer to every life problem we encounter. Keep forgiveness in your heart and praise on your lips. Be BLESSED
Pray - Be still and know that I am God.
Then declutter a bit a time
stedhad 1Eph. 5:19,20
Share Songs, Hymn and Spiritual song...with Thanksgiving. Singing part comes easy for me the not complaining about anything, even my complainer...
Thank you Lord, I know you have all things under control.
I think the best thing that I can do now to control my stress is to turn to God and His word. I can look up scriptures about the particular thing I am stressing about to help me. I need to work on giving my stress to God and letting Him take care of it instead of trying to do it myself.
I need to replace the negative thoughts with positive ones. I think I have a nest in my heart and I need Jesus to help me clean it up and replace it with love and peace and joy! I have been the victim for so long that I think I have to be the victim and I am not going to any more. It's definitely time for a change! Thank you for writing a wonderful book and then hosting this 10 day detox. It has been exactly what I needed!
One change I can implement right NOW is to not allow negative thoughts pollute my mind and heart. I'm going to replace unproductive negativity with God's Word.
I feel less stressed when I turn my anxieties over to the Lord(see First Peter 5:7). Sometimes, He gets a whole bushel full! Martha T. @CRPrairie1@imonmail.com.
Romans 12:1-2 is the way for me! A transformation must take place. Through the renewing of the mind & becoming the living sacrifice as taught here in these verses.
One thing I can do now to take control of my stress is to pray, asking God to help me to trust in Him. (I would like to share about my bad dream last night, but this is not a godo site or space to do that) I can see how God is helping me to learn how to trust in him and let all the things be in His hands. Today's post and challenge are an answer to my prayers, God wants me tu put on His armor and don't let the negativity build on my head. (God is asking me not to be a victim but victor, Amen.) I thank God for his love and grace in my life. Thank God for your life. And Thank you for sharing with us this 10 days stress detox.
Getting more sleep would really lower my stress level. I can't seem to get to bed before 11:00p.m. and my alarm goes off at 6:15a.m., it's just not enough sleep for me. The other thing that would be huge is if I could figure out how to be a better steward of my time. I feel like I need professional help in both areas.
Hello Tracie, I need to look at my thinking seriously and your Detox has made me do that, especially my attitude daily, I seem to slump instead of picking myself up. The Bible reading helps a lot, so I am determined to do more as I find it such a peaceful occupation. Thank you for the opportunity of winning your giveaway. God bless you in your ministry. Kind Regards Mandy Currie (mandycurrie@googlemail.com)
Hello,
I am responding to your "day 9 stress detox question." I must say I have FB & I went to your page several times & saw others answers but not a list of questions that you wanted answered so I hope it's OK that I am answering here instead:)
I know that in my own life I must find more time to spend with my Jesus in prayer & devotions. I know that when I am daily with Jesus it tremendously helps my stress level. I have noticed that my depression has been creeping back in & my patience has been wearing thin much sooner. Also, I need to spend some time in prayer, praying over day 7 which was release/forgivness. I have some things I need to deal with in my life & I will be way stressed until I do. yet, the days seem to flow in a ceaseless parade of busyness & I am so tired by evening that I can barely keep my eyes open once I have the children in bed by 730-745pm. Please pray with me that I can find a time that I can spend quality time with Jesus so my stress level can go down! ~Blessings~
I have been reading Jesus Calling in the morning before I leave for work. I also have been listening to praise and worship cds on my way to work. These help me get my focus on God. I know that God will get me through the day!
Melissa
Frisco TX
I have got to make sure that I do not let my quiet time get lost in the tyranny of the urgent.
Janet D
Galax, VA
I need a mind transformation. I need and want to focus more on Christ and be open to Him renewing my mind. I work with a lot of negative people and it is easy to find myself with the wrong focus.
Jennifer York
Springfield, VA
Refusing to allow negativity to have dominion over my thoughts and standing firm in who I am in Christ is an every day battle for me. My thoughts have a tendency to go the negative route, and entertain the "what ifs", and the scary things in life that will most likely never happen. This kind of thinking creates so much stress and anxiety in my heart. I try to replace this type of thinking with memorizing and thinking on certain Scriptures. This is very helpful and can bring peace, but often times, I am completely stressed out before I think to apply God's Word, and focus on who I am in Him. This is an area I need to work on by His grace and power...obviously, we cannot do it on our own.
I don't consider myself a pessimist, but I am certainly an overthinker. By allowing myself to do this, I often complicate the small things of life. My "processing" is not only exhausting (since my mind rarely finds rest), it also frustrates those around me -- especially those I love the most. I am seeking God's help in this area, as I need to have peace in my busy mind.
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" I need to focus on this more and stress less.
Spending time with God daily and talking to Him. Also when things come up that get crazy, full of drama I have to ask myself if this is really a life or death situation. And also be able to say no to things.
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