The Truth About Stress
Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 10:45AM MYTH: “Other people cause my stress.”
TRUTH: How I choose to respond creates the stress.
I. JESUS’ STRATEGY FOR HANDLING STRESS
1. The principle of Identification:
I MUST KNOW WHO I AM
“I am . . . the Light of the world . . . the Son of God . . . the Way, the Truth and the Life . . . the Bread of Life . . . .” John. 8:12, Mark. 14:62, John 14:6, John 6:35
“I testify on my own behalf.” John 8:18 (RSV)
2. The principle of Dedication:
I MUST KNOW WHO I AM TRYING TO PLEASE
“I only try to please the One who sent me.” John 5:30 (NCV)
“No one can serve two masters . . . .” Luke 16:13
3. The principle of Prioritization:
I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH
“. . . I know where I came from and where I am going.” Jn. 8:14
“I must proclaim the good news . . . for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:43 (RSV)
4. The principle of Concentration:
FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT
“As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will.” Luke 9:51 (LB)
“Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 (LB)
“Martha was distracted . . . So Jesus said, ‘You are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one . . . .’” Luke 10:40‑42 (NAS)
5. The principle of Delegation:
LET OTHER PEOPLE HELP ME
“He appointed twelve ‑‑ designating them apostles ‑‑ that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:14
6. The principle of Meditation:
MAKE PRAYER A HABIT
)“News about Jesus spread even more. Crowds came to hear him and to be healed . . . but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.” Luke 5:15‑16 (NCV
7. The principle of Relaxation:
TAKE TIME TO ENJOY LIFE
“Crowds of people were coming and going so that they did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves, and we will go to a lonely place to get some rest.’” Mark 6:31 (NCV)
“Jesus came enjoying life . . . .” Matthew 11:19 (Ph)
“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you REST . . . learn from me . . . and you will find rest for your lives. The teaching that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.” Matthew 11:28‑30 (NCV)
YOUR RESPONSE