Stress Strategies, Part 1

Attention Grabber

Stress, Anxiety, Worry . . . about the usual suspects: Health, Finances, Relationships, Direction, Society Issues

overlap and connection can make it worse

health problems cost money, lead to money problems

relationship problems can affect health and money

Financial problems can cause relationship problems

Society problems can cause financial and health

all affect what you think about the direction of your life

Poll: Select all areas in which you have a concern

Discuss poll

Worrying is a common response to these things, so let’s see what the Bible says about worrying

Luke 12:25 NASB95

25 “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?

Jesus himself is saying that worrying changes nothing.

in fact, it can make things worse: you might be agitated, starting to neglect yourself, starting to withdraw from life, personality changing

We are going to share some real and practical Bible based strategies for dealing with stress, anxiety, and worry

first thing, most important thing, most impactful thing to combat stress . . . . you already know . . . Prayer

Prayer

Philippians 4:6 NASB95

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

prayer: asking for help, communicating with God

change each stress into a prayer request

the more worried you are, the more you need to pray about that thing

if you are going through something with someone else, find time to pray together with that someone

my faith is always strengthened when I hear my wife pray, or my prayer partner pray out loud

the faith in their prayer, helps my prayer

prayer goes with, and is the foundation of every other strategy we will talk about

at the end of this Bible Study I would like for someone to pray that God bless our mental health, and gives us peace, faith, and joy, no matter what we are facing

our next strategy

Focus on Right Now

Matthew 6:34 NLT

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

focus on right now troubles

Decrease the worry zone to just today’s troubles (10 things down to 2 or 1)

it can be very overwhelming to focus on everything

focusing on 2 instead of 10 will reduce your stress level

This scripture says that today’s trouble is enough

Focus on getting through today . . . not the week, month, year

you might not be living next year

by the time you get to it, it might not even be a problem anymore (stressed for nothing)

What do I need to do today? What is today’s problem?

pray about that

think (not worry) about that

Examples

don’t have gas for the week, just have gas for the next two days?

then you have gas for the day, take that off your list

multiple tasks to accomplish? Just focus on the most pressing one?

worried about your child’s future? Just worry about tonight’s homework

Real life example - Elijah’s tuition last semester

Thousands of dollars due, even on the installment plan

Will they kick you out if you don’t pay by due date? No

But I won’t be able to register for classes when that time comes . . . so we put it off til then and focus on right now problems

stress strategies: prayer, focus on right now, and

Really go to the Word

Psalm 94:19 NASB95

19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.

What are God’s consolations? How does he console us?

Through His Word! So really go to those true and tried scriptures. (Lord’s Prayer, Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:13)

Look them up. Google “God will help me Scriptures” . . . deliver . . . protect . . . strengthen

Read them (even if you already know them and don’t need to look them up)

Recite out loud (something about hearing, faith comes by hearing the word of God)

Read it in a different version, it might hit you different seeing different words with the same meaning

Put your name in the Scripture - no weapon formed against Dimitri shall prosper

and Dimitri knows that all things work together for his good

Post an encouraging scripture up on your mirror, refrigerator door, phone screen

listen to Christian songs that contain God’s word

You are building an environment that supports peace and faith!

to each its own, but I can’t start my day with the news . . .

stress Strategies: prayer, focus on right now, really go to the word

Walk Through the Valley

Psalm 23:4 NASB95

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Are you camped on the edge of a troublesome valley . . . just peering in, immobile, and worrying about what will happen when you go through the valley, you ARE fearing evil . . . so you won’t walk through

Is there a problem in your life that you keep putting off

walk through the valley = go ahead and face it

Face the issue, problem

phone call to that relative, friend

answering the phone from that company you owe money to

appointment with the school administrator

doctor’s visit

call to a lawyer

take the car to the shop

The scripture says even though I walk through, I will not fear because God is with me, comforting me!

What can happen when you walk through the valley?

might not be as bad (shadows of death but not death)

car repair might be simple

that friend might be ready to repair the relationship

might get some helpful info

I’ve called to check on bills and found out I had more time than I thought

I’ve learnd that I read something wrong, and there was no problem

might be worse than what you thought

some things I thought we kind of important, turned out to be super important . . . and I could react accordingly

didn’t like hearing bad news, but it would have been worse if I did not know what was coming

it might turn out to be exactly like you thought . . . none the worse

there is a peace in knowing that you’ve done all you can do, knowing that you have faced it . . . on the opposite end, there is a lot of stress in ignoring a problem that you know is coming for you

Elijah TCU Example

Finally it was time to register, no money or miracle had happened, our efforts had produced nothing

Music department at TCU is a close knit group, so Elijah was dreading calling and letting his professors know that he didn’t have money, and might have to drop out . . .maybe push it back a little more

but he had to take that deep breath and make the call . . . walk through the valley

that call led to other calls he had to make and eventually led to scholarship to pay bill for two semesters!

prayer, focus on right now, really go to the word, Walk through the Valley,

Poll: After prayer, which strategy do you will benefit you the most?

focus on right now, really go to the word, Walk through the Valley,

Word of Encouragement

Isaiah 41:10 NASB95

10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Strengthen you - power to succeed

surely help you - God will do something to help you without a doubt

uphold you - the outcome is secure despite all the troubles

Prayer for those fighting stress, worry, and anxiety

Announcements

meeting immediately after Bible Study to talk about March 21, for those who wish to have input, just stay on the call

speaking of . . . we will watch and see how things go after Governor’s annoucement

I would like more participation on Sundays

I am probably preaching to those who already do it . . . .

when you get on line (unless it’s in the middle of sermon) . . . say good morning!

Sis. Clara Caver let’s us know who is on with her

hit the like, love, laugh responses . . . during service

make comments during service

intive our own members who don’t come

be fully engaged if possible - not washing dishes

Coronavirus Meeting

Brain storming meeting

Sign up list (to make sure we have enough room)

Masks have to be worn, no handshaking or hugging

Ushers

Check temperatures at door

Pass out mask if necessary

Furniture

Chairs arranged 6ft apart ahead of time

Families sit together

Plastic shield in front of pulpit

3 Member praise Team or people singing solo’s

Dismiss people in sections (use both exits)

Service last about one hour

Hand Sanitizer available

thoughts, suggestions, comments?