When weighed down by Stress
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In Today's world multitudes of men and women suffer from the effects of stress. One doctor defines stress as "the wear and tear on the personality". Experts on stress tell us it comes from two main causes: too little change and too much change.To function at peak efficiency we all need a certain amount of change, but when change comes too fast for us to cope with, the personality is put under tremendous pressure.

Dr. Thomas Holmes, a recognised authority on stress, measures it in terms of "units of change". The death of a loved one, for example, measures 100 units, a divorce 73 units, pregnancy 40 units, moving or refurbishing a home 25 units, and Christmas is given 12 units. His conclusion is that no one can handle more than 300 units of stress in a twelve-month period without suffering physically or emotionally during the next two years.

The first thing to do when experiencing stress is to identify what is causing it. What is the trigger? Is it too little change or too much? What are the symptoms? What happened immediately prior to the symptoms occuring? (This can be a vital clue). We must invite the Lord to help with the matter as we think and pray it through. Only when the cause is found can things be changed. Next, we must consider why it is that we are victims of stress. Are we unable to move ahead because of fear, or are we going too fast because we are afraid of what we might discover about ourselves if we stopped? To the degree we lack security in God, to that degree we will be motivated to find it in something else. The secure are less prone to stress because they already have what they want-inner peace of mind. Be encouraged.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3,4.

Father, help me face up to the issue of where my true security lies-in things or in You. For I see that the only way to live without stress in a stressful world is to have my inner core buttressed by You. Help me, my Father. In Jesus' Name.Amen.

Scriptures on which to reflect:

1.Keep close to God: Matthew 11:29.2.God alone can keep the mind at peace: Isaiah 26:3.3.God promises rest for all who trust Him: Exodus 33: 14.4.Trust God to work things out: Psalm 139: 3-5.5.Follow Christ's directions: Psalm 25: 9.6.Counsel is available for those who stop to listen: Psalm 32: 8.7.Don't borrow from tomorrow: Matthew 6: 34.8.The place to cast all your care: Psalm 55:22.