Casting Your Cares
In 1929, business tycoon named J.C. Penney was in the hospital because of severe anxiety. One night, he was sure he was going to die, so he wrote farewell letters to his wife and son. But he survived the night, and hearing singing the next morning in the chapel, felt drawn to go in. A group was singing, "God will take care of you," after which followed a Bible reading and prayer.
Penney said, "Suddenly something happened. I can't explain it. It was a miracle. I felt as if I had been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into warm brilliant sunlight. I felt the power of God as I had never felt it before. I realized then that I alone was responsible for all my troubles. I knew that God with His love was there to help me. From that day to this, my life has been free from worry. The most dramatic and glorious minutes of my life were those I spent in that chapel that morning."
Much of the causes of our anxiety and worry always lie within ourselves. Many of us are control freaks. Until we admit and resolve these causes by turning them over to God, we will never feel free and experience peace and happiness that He intends for us to have.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
An average person's anxiety is focused on:
Strategies for Stressfree Life
Penney said, "Suddenly something happened. I can't explain it. It was a miracle. I felt as if I had been instantly lifted out of the darkness of a dungeon into warm brilliant sunlight. I felt the power of God as I had never felt it before. I realized then that I alone was responsible for all my troubles. I knew that God with His love was there to help me. From that day to this, my life has been free from worry. The most dramatic and glorious minutes of my life were those I spent in that chapel that morning."
Much of the causes of our anxiety and worry always lie within ourselves. Many of us are control freaks. Until we admit and resolve these causes by turning them over to God, we will never feel free and experience peace and happiness that He intends for us to have.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
An average person's anxiety is focused on:
- 40% of things that will never happen
- 30% of things about the past that can't be changed
- 12% of things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
- 10% about health, which gets worse with stress
- 8% about real problems that will be faced
Strategies for Stressfree Life
- Give yourself a break and get plenty of rest. Take a moment to reflect. Ask God for wisdom and discernment.
- Distinguish between small stuff and big stuff. Fretting over what to wear for a party is not big stuff.
- Check your goals--are you worrying about unrealistic ambitions?
- Determine who or what you're living for. Living for self and things will lead to worry and stress; living for God will lead to peace.
- Live one day at a time and enjoy each moment of your day.