Peace For The Mind
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The website of UK charity, “Mind for better mental health,” says feelings of stress are normally triggered by things happening in your life which involve:
- Being under lots of pressure
- Facing big changes
- Worrying about something
- Not having much or any control over the outcome of a situation
- Having responsibilities that you’re finding overwhelming
- Not having enough work, activities or change in your life
- Times of uncertainty.
Many of us might have been under the effect of one or more of these stressors, especially with the current pandemic. I heard one parent, who is not used to all the online studies going on, got very frustrated and retorted,
“How can you be in bed and say you are schooling?”
According to “Mind for better mental health”, There might be one big thing causing you stress, but stress can also be caused by a build-up of small pressures. This might make it harder for you to identify what is making you feel stressed, or to explain it to other people.
The amount of stress you feel in different situations may depend on many factors. These include:
- Your perception of the situation – this might be connected to your past experiences, your self-esteem, and how your thought processes work (your perspective on whether the situation is hopeless, or redeemable.)
- How experienced you are at dealing with that particular type of pressure
- Your emotional resilience to stressful situations
- The amount of other pressures on you at the time
- The amount of support you are receiving
The website further said we are all different, so a situation that doesn’t bother you at all might cause someone else a lot of stress. It said, for example, if you’re feeling confident or usually enjoy public speaking, you might find that giving a speech in front of people feels comfortable and fun. But if you’re feeling low or usually prefer not to be the centre of attention, this situation might cause you to experience signs of stress.
Generally, you can manage or even avoid stressors when you anticipate them; but some get us absolutely flat-footed! When that happens, your first resource is your internal ability to evaluate the situation. Candid evaluation always puts things in perspective, and calms you down.
One evaluation question that has helped me over the years is:
“What is the worst that can happen, and how can I mitigate or manage it?
Once I answer this question, especially the mitigation aspect, I note the answer down and move on. It is always relieving.
As hard as it is to take, some stressors may stay for a very long time, and we need to learn to manage them. Examples are terminal illnesses, complicated relationships, job losses, investment losses and bereavement. It is very helpful to quickly put them in perspective and map out a mitigation plan. This deals with the “What if…”questions that bombard and torment our minds.
Thankfully, the worst often never happens, but your preparation for it puts your mind at ease.
While dealing with issues by putting them in perspective is very helpful, a prayer of faith takes the burden off your shoulders too, and places it on God’s big and wide shoulders! When Jesus prayed in Luke 22:41-43, God did not take what was stressing Him away but sent an angel to strengthen Him. Apostle Paul also gave some good advice to the Philippians.
READ Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
It is interesting to note that as Paul was writing this to the Philippians, he was himself in prison! I have never been in prison before. But not long ago, when I got confined to hotel located in a very serene atmosphere for two weeks, for a curriculum development program that I willfully opted for, I was very stressed! So I can imagine being confined against your will.
But Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”(v.4). Paul, who needed to be comforted, was himself comforting others because he found comfort in God!
As Paul wrote in verse 7,
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
May we have that peace today, and always.
MEMORY VERSE
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
QUESTIONS
1. Are you getting stressed by all that is happening around you?
2. Why not put them in perspective, and pray for God’s guidance and peace?
(Please check out the devotional, “Certainty In Uncertainty”)
PRAYER TIP
Loving Father, please help us to depend on You to grant us peace.
Written by:
BENNY MALM
For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL
CREDITS
Minds For Better Mental Health, https://www.mind.org.uk/
URGENT CALL
By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!
But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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