How to Tame Tension

Scripture Reading:

WHEW, LOTS OF INFORMATION THERE, NOW WILL WE LISTEN?

I. Concentrate on Relaxing Influences

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

8And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

A. Fellowship with nature, God’s creation—the hills, valleys, streams. This is relaxing.

B. Listen to music by the great masters and the soothing hymns of the church.

C. Meditate on God’s promises. Pray and fellowship with the Lord.

II. Cultivate a Sense of Humor

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

A. Don’t take yourself too seriously. See the humorous side of life.

B. Learn to laugh at your mistakes and blunders. Everyone makes them.

C. Laugh at situations and circumstances and with people.

III. Control Extravagant Ambitions

AGAIN, WE READ:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

A. Pace yourself. Know your limitations.

B. Learn to be yourself, to do what God wants, no more, no less.

C. Ambition if not controlled can lead to unhappiness and strain.

IV. Cooperate with the Inevitable

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

A. Accept situations that you cannot change.

B. Jesus lived a relaxed life; He did not fret about difficult situations but turned impossibilities into opportunities.

V. Consistently Trust in the Lord

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

8O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude

A. Be aware that God is with you always. Practice the presence of God.

B. Remember, you are linked to omnipotence. You are not meeting life’s demands alone.

C. Yield yourself to His will and way. Let Him do His work through you.