Stress at Work

Scripture

Psalms 34:14 "Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it."

Message

Stress is a huge tool of God's. He uses it to put the pressure on unbelievers to look to Him for their help. He also allows it in the believer's life to get them to more fully surrender to Him. He may even want that stress in our lives and may not want to remove it! We look at stress in our limited vision as being a bad thing. But in reality it is a good thing, to make us run into the arms of God.

Getting along with people is not something that can not be done. Try hard not to let your co-workers get you down. You spend hours with them every day, sometimes having no place to run or hide when you feel a desperate need to be alone, to regroup or react to your heart and mind. Work can be overwhelming at times, as well as the ones you work with. Remember they have to be there too. The things that are going on in their life could be just as devastating and important as what is going on in yours. Pray! Ask God to help you see your co-workers as He sees them, in all their pain, but also through His eyes. Be a friend and reach out your hand to them. It may be just what you need to forget what burdens you!

Prayer

Dear Lord, Thank you for always being here for me, and for giving me a place to go each weekday to be around others like myself. Our needs are many, but our pay at times seems to be below the lifestyle we have, or hope to have someday. We are all very stressed and impatient for more. Help me to understand these individuals who tend get on my sensitive side when they say or do things I don't agree with, which sometimes ends in unkind words or actions. Some days I find it hard to be around these imperfect souls. Please grant me the wisdom, the patience and the understanding to help me through each day with them. Protect us all from unnecessary harmful words and works, and let us all unite together toward a better working environment.

Please show me what it is I need to do to make things better. Let your message be clear and powerful, in your perfect time, your will be done. Thank you for your mercy and grace every day, every hour, and always. In Your Son's precious and mighty name. Amen.

Stress at Home

Scripture

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

Message

Home can be a place of solace and rest, but some days it can also bring overwhelming stress. Our hearts feel burdened with too much responsibility and the weight on our shoulders seems, at times, too heavy to bear. When daily chores or duties are too much to handle, do not get discouraged. Do not get angry and say or do something hurtful, especially to those who mean the most to you. Your words and actions can be as soothing as they are harmful. Don't do something you may end up regretting. Take a moment and go somewhere alone; the bedroom, the bathroom, the car or even the closet. When you get there, ask the Lord to help you.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Thank you for my precious family and friends. I appreciate them and love them all so very much. Sometimes though, I feel trapped and smothered, being pulled in more directions than I am capable of going. Give me your strength, Father, to get through these days, as well as patience and understanding so that I am able to give them what they need without making them feel hurt, confused or of little importance. Help me to see through Your eyes, so that I might better understand. Please let them know I am not perfect, and I always want the very best for them. I ask that you watch over us all, and protect us from the evil that lives in our imperfect world. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Stress in Life

Scripture

Matthew 5:43-45 "There is a saying, 'Love your friends and hate your enemies.' But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven."

Message

Life is so hard sometimes even when it is just us by ourselves. Mix in a few different personalities and some days can seem unbearable. When these days occur we need to turn our focus on God and ask Him to help. Try to stay focused on what is important. Would the outcome be different if we were to sting someone with an unkind word, action or response? Would we feel better for it? Then ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?" Sometimes your silence says so much more. I remember my mother telling me many years ago, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." This could very well be your answer. At least try it before you use your hurtful words to get back at or get even with someone.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Thank you for your precious time. I am so overwhelmed with all of life's ups and downs that I sometimes find it too hard to make the right choice. I find myself slipping into the sins of my flesh, which makes me want to lash out at those around me. And though some of these people are innocent and so undeserving, there are many others here that I struggle with everyday. Father, I can not undo their selfish unkind ways, nor calm their hearts, nor live their lives for them. Please let your world be known to those who do not know you. And let my heart be filled with your wisdom when you put these people before me. Bridle my tongue and let your words fill my heart so that I may spread your love and mercy everywhere. Lead me to always do the right thing, and please, Lord, forgive me when I do not. In Jesus' name. Amen.