What is the latest?
Knowing what to do when no one really knows what’s coming can lead to stress,
uncertainty, and anxiety.
Do we stock up on groceries, tp, sanitizers and more?
Should we stay away from public places?
Should we watch the news 24 x 7?
Where do we go when we have nowhere to go?
However you’re preparing, know this….God is in control!
Here are a couple of ways to release stress and move forward:
1. Stay in your own back yard.
Are you focusing on your position today or looking to the future with worry? Take your eyes off of what could/ would/should and focus on where you are right now. One day at a time. Stay in your own back yard and focus on the things under your care. Pinpoint the things you can control in life and release the things you cannot. Let go, take a deep breath and embrace whatever comes next. You may not be able to control the rain but you can put up an umbrella.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2. Develop a plan to manage the stressful moments.
Look at the way you handle stress in your life. Often times people find themselves in the kitchen overeating and/or engaging in practices that tend to make the situation worse. Are you watching too much television, couch potato moments? When stressful moments start to emerge step back and allow yourself to feel it. Engage in healthy stress relief. Study the word. Talk with a friend. Read, Knit. Take yoga. Take a walk. Look for moments to work through the stress.
Luke 12:22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.
3. Know the difference between problem-solving and ruminating.
How are you approaching the situation? Are you solving the problem at hand or simple ruminating it? Seeking the solution rather than spinning about will allow you to focus on the end goal. Be careful, don’t get caught up in the spin cycle. Catch yourself.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.
4. Identify what scares you
Looking too far ahead can lead one to a negative outcome. Identify the outcome that scares you the most. Ask yourself what would happen if….? Once you identify the worst-case scenario work your way back to where you are today. Ask yourself how to change the outcome. Take what scares you and create a way around it.
Matthew 6:34 There do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
5. Connect with your connections
You may not be able to control everything in life but you do have connections. What are the connections you have in life to control the outcome? Sometimes it’s a matter of making a phone call for help. Contacting a friend to walk you through the various ways of dealing with it. Whatever it is use the connections you have.
Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of feels suffers harm.
6. Learn as you go.
In everything we do in life, there is a lesson to be learned. We may not be able to control life but we can control how we react to it. Learn lessons one day at a time. Today, tap into learning something new. Learn a new dance from YouTube. Enjoy preparing new recipes and share them with your family. Take a nap. Clean a closet. Run a hot bath. Seek out free yoga online. Gather on a zoom call for bible study. Dream and journal. Take this opportunity to learn and grow.
Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.
7. God is in control
There are so many amazing bible verses to remind us, God is in control.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Revelation 1:17 Then He places His right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
Wishing you a day of peace knowing everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be.
xo,
Ann
