Time to De-Stress!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6 NIV).

Most of the time when we become anxious (stressful, fearful) we make decisions that are truly not advantageous to us or others around us. Fear--the tendency to move/act without wisdom (thoughtful deliberation)--creates havoc in lives, in our society, and throughout the world.

If we only operated in love--being more concerned about the welfare of others--we would not have time to fear (perfect love casts out fear and doubt). But then again, we have to remember that fear--like love--is a learned behavior. When people experience things that make them anxious or fearful, the behavior or response to the experience becomes habit.

When people learn to hate--and it is a learned behavior--they pass that experience and their reaction on to others and it becomes a perpetual cycle until someone has the courage to break it. The same is true for those who become over-anxious about things. These are the people who make foolish decisions because they do not know how to think things through before a decision is made. People who commit suicide couldn't think beyond the moment. People who kill other people won't think beyond the moment. People who plot and conspire to kill and destroy have been influenced by Satan and are incapable of thinking right thoughts for themselves because they lack wisdom.

The response to all the fear, anxiety and hatred is to relax, de-stress and turn it all over to God. We cannot do anything about people on our own, but Paul reminds us that we can communicate our concerns to Him. And then--we have to be like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--if God changes the circumstances or not--He's still God and we should learn to stand on our faith in Him. 

So, today--whatever your circumstances might be that have attempted to make you anxious--look them in the face and say, "I have presented my requests to God over you and I will not be anxious about the outcome because God has this covered." Now, relax--take a deep breath--count to ten and have a praise party all by yourself. He's worthy!

De-stressed and giving Him praise! Works every time! Hallelujah!