Stressed! I talk with a lot of people who seem to really be stressed.  People have stress and struggle coming from just about every angle.  I am not sure that there is a sure-fire way to avoid stress, but I do know that we can avoid staying stressed.  Just because you are stressed, it does not mean that you have to camp out there.  In fact, one of the best ways to get unstressed is to take a break from your stress.

A Break From Stress! To take a break from your stress, you have to figure out where the stress is coming from.  What is causing stress in your life?  Now that you know what it is or where it is coming from – just step away from it and take a break.  It may be five minutes or it could be a few days.  The time is not really the issue.  What you do during this break is what really matters!

Game Plan! Two things need to happen during your break!  You need to talk and you need to listen!  Talk to God and tell Him what is going on.  He already knows, but it will make you feel better to get it out.  Next – Listen!  Really listen for God’s voice and direction!  You will know that you are hearing Him, when you feel your stress disappearing and being replaced with peace.

Give it a try – go ahead and take a break!

I hate days like today! They start out good and you feel like you are on your way to a great day and then you have an encounter with a person that just seems to really mess everything up.  Have you ever noticed that the people who seem to mess up your day the most are the people who you care about and love the most?

Today was one of those days! I was having a great day.  Just trucking along, doing what I do, serving the Lord, enjoying the journey and then “BAM!”  Out of nowhere, it hits like a ton of bricks!  A person walks into my life, drops a hand grenade and walks out.  It had absolutely nothing to do with me.  This person was just unhappy and needed to share the misery! “Thanks for the blessing!”

Here are a few things that the Spirit is teaching me, now that I have had a little time to digest it.

People are just people! Profound and deep – right!  Reality is that people are people and people will let you down.  It is just a fact of life that people will fall short of your expectations.  The truth is:  I fall short of my own expectations!

Everyone is imperfect! I am not sure why is shakes us up when people let us down.  I know that people are imperfect.  I know this because I am a “people” and I am imperfect.  I guess when I become perfect, then I can expect others to be perfect.  Until then, we will just have to learn to make it the best that we can.

Intention is never enough! Most of the time we have the best of intentions, but we come up short in the fulfillment and follow through department.  Remember:  “Intentions make good paving material for the road to hell!”

We need a Savior! Imperfect people need a perfect Savior!  I need a Savior!  Jesus is my Savior and my friend.  He gives me forgiveness that I do not deserve and restoration that I cannot earn!  Jesus fills me and fulfills me.  I can always count on Him!  Now, I am already feeling a little better.  How about you?

This Morning! I was spending a little time in the book of James this morning.  James is one of those books in the Bible where almost every verse just nails me and the work that I need to allow God to do in and through my life.  I can convince myself that I am doing pretty good spiritually and then read James and realize that I have much work to do in the spiritual arena!

Small And Powerful! Take for example this little verse located in James 1:26  “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”  “OUCH!”  Can I say it again?  “OUCH!”  Can we say it together?  “OUCH!”

A Few Quick Thoughts: It does not really matter what you think!  Religion can be good or bad – you make the choice with the way that you live your life!  If your Religion does not enable and strengthen you to control your tongue, then your religion is worthless!  It is possible to deceive your own heart!

Think ABout It! I challenge us all to think about it and then do something about it.  I’ve got work to do – how about you?  Press On!