Are you stressed? Do you know how to deal with stress? Is there someone in the work place you hate so much that person the very source of your stress? So how do you deal with the situation. Someone came up with this idea. Now do not take this seriously. Picture yourself near a stream. Birds are chirping in the crisp, cool mountain air. Nothing can bother you here. No one knows this secret place. You are in total seclusion from that place called the “world.” The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity. The water is so clear that you can easily make out the face of the person whose head you are holding under the water. There now… feeling better?
Stress is caused by two opposing forces, which pull against each other. We usually think of this as something negative but actually some stress is essential for living. For instance, gravity is a stress to your body – but you couldn’t live without it. You’ll never be able to eliminate all stress from your life. You wouldn’t want to. But you can reduce the intensity of stress and you can learn to manage it. When a violinist tightens the strings on a violin, she puts stress on them. The strings are pulled in two directions. The capacity of a string to be stretched is called “tensile strength.” If the strings are weak they break when stretched. But if the strings are strong, the violinist is able to produce beautiful music because of the stress. People are like that. When pulled in two different directions some people snap from the stress. Others, however, are able to handle the stress and use it to produce something beautiful. The difference is the spiritual strength of the individual.
How do you get recharged spiritually when you’re feeling stressed?
1. PAUSE! Step back from your work for a moment. But instead of taking a coffee break, take a spiritual break! Take a deep breath, quiet yourself and focus on the fact that God is with you right now. You’re not alone. God is ready to help you.
“God says, “Be quiet and still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NCV)
2. PRAY! Prayer is a powerful stress-reliever that you can use any time of the day. It works best when you pray aloud – but when your situation doesn’t allow that you can talk to God with your thoughts. Tell him exactly how you feel. Of course, he already knows. The relief comes from getting it off your chest. God won’t be shocked. He made you and he loves you.
“I pour out my problems to him; I tell him my troubles. When I am afraid, you, LORD, know the way out.” Psalm 142:2-3 (NCV)
3. PRIORITIZE! Pinpoint what’s really most important to do and what isn’t. You can’t do everything, so clarifying your priorities is essential to reducing stress. Your work will be determined by pressures or by priorities. It’s your choice. If you don’t determine what’s important – others will decide it for you.
“There is a right time and a right way for everything.” Ecclesiastes 8:6 (NCV)
Some things will serve and some things will master it depends on what you allow. And then in all things give Thanks. Fight fear with faith knowing that God would not allow you to go through anything you cannot bear. You will know that you are stressed because you begin to look like your picture in your driver’s license. Pray and put that smile back on your face.
very nice Sir Francis! Coincidentally, I just did this yesterday when I was so stressed out and couldn’t comprehend, I sat down and quietly talked to God… it works!
my dad shared this link with me..and im attending university at the moment but this still applies! thank you for this article!
Hi sir Francis, I thank God that I have your website as a source of wisdom. The wisdom is God-given for it is biblical. Your quoted verses here is giving me enough strength to carry on my present trial. It enlightens me and pacify me reminding me of Ps.46:10 “Be quiet and still and know that I am God”. This verse alone states that in every situation, God is in control if we acknowledge him. I consider you as a close friend ready to advise whenever I need one. I love you with the love of Christ!
Our God is the God of peace. No matter where we are and whatever the situation, He is our firm foundation who reassures us through His Word and through His Son that He is able. These are increasingly stressful days we are waking up to everyday. Only a big God can regenerate us daily to face the seemingly overwhelming situations that are presented before us. He is our ONLY way up and out. Thank you for this article, Bro. Francis.
Hi Sir Frances! I am applying the three points in dealing with stress & it really works. It is so timely that I am facing so with many stress factors. It is so nice to be quite & still & know that God is there. God bless you sir.
Hi Mr. Kong, this is really applicable for me at the workplace…I also attended one of your talks at CCF Eastwood about attention getters…and I wrote down the 9 choices you’ve mentioned…I had it printed and posted beside my monitor here at the office…every once in a while I browse your website because it is not just motivational but also spiritual…please continue what you are doing…being an instrument of God… God bless…
Stressed? tell me all about it. Its like stress and me are partners, thanks Mr. Francis Kong for sharing your thoughts on how to deal with stress and manage it. Although we can not avoid this, we can however, deal with it. Turn stress into something positive, as they say, because of stress and tension, the guitar strings can produce beautiful sounds. Without it, it would be worthless piece of string. Thank you very much.
Good day Sir,
You gave a seminar today at my college and when I got home and got started on my work I realized I forgot to ask you an important question so I decided to visit your website and the second article I saw answered my supposed to be question, how to deal with stress. Thank you very much Sir Francis, we’ve learned a lot.
Yes indeed! God would not allow stressful things to happen in our lives if He knows we can’t handle it.
thank you, francis. just what we need in “times” like these. God bless you always.
Nice article! thank you
The best!