Three Ways to Manage Stress
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Three Ways to Manage Stress
Bible Passage: Philippians 4:4-9
The human need this passage meets is: to learn to manage the stress that life inevitably brings.
Learning Goals: By the end of this session, each learner should be able to. . .
(Know) three ways to manage stress from this passage.
(Feel) more peaceful in their circumstances.
(Do) consciously decide to obey one of Paul's commands to rejoice, pray, or think.
Hook
There has been a lot of talk about discouragement, and principles, and masks, who’s life matters…and so many other things in our lives and culture that can lead to a common end....stress
I don’t know about you but it’s hard to watch the news lately and not feel a bit stressed
Coronavirus
Black Lives Matter
The election
The economy
The shootings
The weather (heat wave)
Transition
If we are alive, we have stress. Good and bad experiences both contribute to the stress in our lives. However, Philippians 4 teaches us how to manage it - so it doesn't rule us, our emotions, and our actions.
Bible Input with Life Application
Read Philippians 4:4-9
The first of Philippians' three ways to manage stress is:
Rejoice
The apostle Paul instructs us to Rejoice in the Lord!
What does that mean? It means that we can have joy even though we are in a difficult circumstance. Most people are emotionally controlled by their own internal moods or their external circumstances. Paul gives us another way.
When we rejoice in the Lord we are placing our confidence in Jesus. This is a choice that we can make. To reflect a spirit of joy in the midst of difficulty is a powerful witness to the strength Jesus gives His followers.
How many areas do we let circumstances dictate our joy
In our jobs
Our homes
Our marriages
The stock market
Our sports teams
Jesus wants us to draw our joy from the smile on His face. Some days will go well -- and other days will not. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. When He is the source of our joy, personal circumstances do not carry as much weight.
The second of Philippians' three ways to manage stress is:
Pray
Stressful situations generate a natural form of anxiety. Paul says that instead of being overcome by the worries of life we should cast our cares upon God by praying. People who pray tend to not worry. People who tend to worry, often forget to pray. It's really that simple.
1 in 6 Americans take a psychiatric drug and antidepressants and antianxiety medications are the top two prescribed psychiatric drugs. I do believe that there are time for these drugs. There are a lot of anxious people in the world. Could we alieve some of this anxiety through prayer? I think so.
When we pray, we are no longer depending our our power, our ideas, our wisdom. We are now depending on the Creator of the Universe' power, ideas, and wisdom. That brings peace.
The God that parted the Red Sea; the Jesus that calmed the wind and the waves; the Jesus that healed the woman - this same God and Jesus are ready to help you when you pray. Take your burdens to the throne of grace and ask for help. God cares about every detail of our life and is waiting for us to pray.
God never promises strength for next week, just for today.
The last of Philippians' three ways to manage stress is:
Think
This means we take responsibility for our minds.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
God has given us the capacity to control our thoughts. We can choose to think on negative things, or on positive things. It's really up to us.
My thoughts are often the source of my greatest stress. I always imagine the worst!
I think about growing old and becoming dependent on others.
I think about my health failing.
I think about people not liking me.
I think about finance.
I think about health.
I think about my country becoming worse and worse.
I think about something bad happening to my children
These kind of thoughts will inevitably lead to stress and anxiety. We all have concerns, but the key is not to dwell on them.
Instead Paul says to think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. We can take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ
II Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Every time I focus my thoughts on God, He becomes bigger and my problems become smaller.
I Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
A way to help us to think on what is right is to listen to music that directs our minds to Biblical truth
489 All Your Anxiety
God's Word gives us many ways to manage stress. The book of Philippians provides three of the most practical guidelines to help us gain peace and minimize the things bring on stress and depression.
Ask Jesus to help you. He sees everything that you are currently facing. Rejoice that He is in charge. Pray and ask for help. Keep your thoughts on Him, not your surroundings. If you do, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind.
Questions to ask yourself in times of stress
1. What are some of the promises of God that can encourage us?
2. How should we be rejoicing in God about that can help you manage stress?
3. What should we be praying to God about to help you manage stress?
4. What one step will you commit to doing this week?
5. Practical (Pastor Gordon) In 10 years will anyone even care
Author:Paul Schlieker www.bible-study-lesson-plans.com
Permission to reprint Three Ways to Manage Stress from Philippians this page in its totality is granted. For any reuse or distribution author credit and web address is required.
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