Stress!  It’s everywhere!  Am I right?  It can easily seep into every area of our lives.  It can create emotional breakdowns, physical ailments, mental confusion, and social stress.

Have you ever noticed that when dealing with others, we are much more impatient when we harbor stress?  Or that circumstances seem so much more overwhelming when we are in the midst of stress?

What is the opposite of stress?

Peace…. calm… clarity…

So how do we wrap ourselves in serenity?

As Christ followers, the answer resides in our heart.  Are we willing to lay our burdens at the cross?  This is easy to say, and often hard to do.  However, there are ways to ease this process.  Pray, listen to worship music.  Read the Holy Bible; listen as His Word offers peace, comfort, and hope.  Trust in Him.

Other steps to be taken to ease our stress:

1.  Implement life skills such as creating a budget within your means and evaluating time management both at work and in your home.
   Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.  Proverbs 16:3
2.  Take personal inventory; acknowledge your feelings, learn to say no when necessary, yet be willing to connect with others as well.
   If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5
3.  Be practical.  Set priorities, delegate responsibilities, and shorten that to-do list!
   Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1st Peter 5:7

Let us remember to step back and view our circumstances with fresh eyes and renewed hope.  God does not want us to grow weary, worn out, burdened; for this tends to distract our attention from God.

Be still. Rest. Trust in Him. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13