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Stress
Reading a YouVersion devotional on being overwhelmed and today's was on stress. It states:
10 Things That Cause Stress
Actually, I am not sure if these cause stress in everyone, but I know these are the 10 most common things that cause stress in me.
1. The belief that I am in control of my life rather than knowing that HE is in control of EVERYTHING (including my life)!
2. When I do not trust the people who I delegate authority and responsibility to and actually begin to believe the lie that, “If I want something done right then I must do it myself.”
3. When I know without a doubt what God has told me to do but I begin to listen to the “experts” who tell me that the very thing God has told me to do is impossible.
4. When I try to explain myself to those who don’t really want an explanation; they just want to argue.
5. When I refuse to take some time to disconnect and rest, claiming that the devil never takes a day off while not understanding that the devil isn’t supposed to be my example.
6. When I begin to take on the “Messiah complex” and begin to think about how much I need to do and how Jesus needs me rather than how much I actually NEED HIM!
7. When I worry about results more than obedience!!!
8. When I focus on the size of the problem rather than the size of God!
9. When I fail to share my worries and concerns and admit my mistakes to others for fear that it may make me seem weak and stupid. (The opposite is actually the case. Those around me actually love and respect me more when I ask for help!)
10. When I become unaware of HIS presence every single minute of my life!
Please remember and be encouraged that His plans are greater than any plans we could have for ourselves. So don’t worry, God’s got this.
As I read this I thought ok surely one of his would be on my list but it's not. Here's what stresses me:
1. Feeling my life is controlled by others who would seek to harm me or is completely out of control.
2. When I long to have help to do something and realize it didn't even get done cause I was just too tired.
3. When I DON'T know without a doubt what God has told me IS from God.
4. When I try to explain myself to others while feeling I cannot seem to get the point across verbally that is stuck in my head.
5. When I want so desperately to rest but keep being pulled in so many directions it's not a real option.
6. When I so desperately need Jesus and yet cannot seem to feel His presence when I most need Him.
7. When I worry about whether I AM obedient.
8. When I focus on the size of the problem wondering if God sees it as large enough to intervene.
9. When I share my mistakes to others and I receive negative and hurtful responses.
10. When I long to sense His presence at times yet the stress blocks it out.
Just wondering if I'm the only one who has a backwards aspect on these stressors or can anyone relate or share what stresses you if different
10 Things That Cause Stress
Actually, I am not sure if these cause stress in everyone, but I know these are the 10 most common things that cause stress in me.
1. The belief that I am in control of my life rather than knowing that HE is in control of EVERYTHING (including my life)!
2. When I do not trust the people who I delegate authority and responsibility to and actually begin to believe the lie that, “If I want something done right then I must do it myself.”
3. When I know without a doubt what God has told me to do but I begin to listen to the “experts” who tell me that the very thing God has told me to do is impossible.
4. When I try to explain myself to those who don’t really want an explanation; they just want to argue.
5. When I refuse to take some time to disconnect and rest, claiming that the devil never takes a day off while not understanding that the devil isn’t supposed to be my example.
6. When I begin to take on the “Messiah complex” and begin to think about how much I need to do and how Jesus needs me rather than how much I actually NEED HIM!
7. When I worry about results more than obedience!!!
8. When I focus on the size of the problem rather than the size of God!
9. When I fail to share my worries and concerns and admit my mistakes to others for fear that it may make me seem weak and stupid. (The opposite is actually the case. Those around me actually love and respect me more when I ask for help!)
10. When I become unaware of HIS presence every single minute of my life!
Please remember and be encouraged that His plans are greater than any plans we could have for ourselves. So don’t worry, God’s got this.
As I read this I thought ok surely one of his would be on my list but it's not. Here's what stresses me:
1. Feeling my life is controlled by others who would seek to harm me or is completely out of control.
2. When I long to have help to do something and realize it didn't even get done cause I was just too tired.
3. When I DON'T know without a doubt what God has told me IS from God.
4. When I try to explain myself to others while feeling I cannot seem to get the point across verbally that is stuck in my head.
5. When I want so desperately to rest but keep being pulled in so many directions it's not a real option.
6. When I so desperately need Jesus and yet cannot seem to feel His presence when I most need Him.
7. When I worry about whether I AM obedient.
8. When I focus on the size of the problem wondering if God sees it as large enough to intervene.
9. When I share my mistakes to others and I receive negative and hurtful responses.
10. When I long to sense His presence at times yet the stress blocks it out.
Just wondering if I'm the only one who has a backwards aspect on these stressors or can anyone relate or share what stresses you if different
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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I can relate to all the aspects in your list and will elaborate on two.
4. When I try to explain myself to others while feeling I cannot seem to get the point across verbally that is stuck in my head.
When I am misunderstood and give explanations to try to clarify, it is stressful for me when I receive negative reactions. I have cared too much about what others think of me. It goes the other way, too, when I misunderstand what others have said. In both cases, I end up self defensive. There are many reasons misunderstandings happen. We try to get our point across but it might not even be a communication problem. For me, it is more to do with mistrust of the other person, and since that is in my mind -- lack of trust of all people -- my interpretation of what is said is biased. Past experiences, too, either with the same people or with different people in a similar situation influence me and this affects my perception, and I fail to see clearly or correctly. I'm sure this is also why I'm often misunderstood, too.
9. When I share my mistakes to others and am receiving negative and hurtful responses.
I think we all long for empathy and understanding. Somehow we easily become prisoners, or something like that, of what other people think -- of their opinions of us. It does hurt to hear someone's negative view of who you are and of the way you are. I wish I could stop being all the flawed ways I am all at once. It's not really that criticism is wrong, but criticism can be destructive or redemptive -- redemptive meaning constructive.
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Permalink Reply by Seek on
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Oh my. Remind me please to never try posting a discussion on my phone while half asleep. You didn't have to copy it exactly. Feel free to fix my typos. Lol
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Permalink Reply by Josh on
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Hi Seek,
This is really an interesting topic. I agree on all 10. I would say that 5 is the one that causes me the most stress (spiritually).
I have been in spiritual battle day after day since last August. I remember, cos that's when is started bible college. I realized I am praying because of my emotions, not my will. Praying with every emotion is tiring. After a few hours I cannot think straight. Leaving me perplexed.
This past weekend I had a breakthrough - give it all to Jesus. I ignore the babbling and lies in my head. Easy.. no, it is not (in my case). I could not trust our Father, His Son or The Holy Spirit, even though God is The Only One I desire, I never truly trusted Him. I thought I did, but I didn't. I had to let go, give it all to Jesus this weekend after hours of praying and non-stop battle. I realized, this one I cannot do. I gave it all to Jesus.
I now know this is what God wanted all along. To trust in Him in your darkest hours. Lesson learned, and appreciated! His rod and staff comforts me.
I know I have MUCH to learn. I am still a baby. But, it is so worth it :)
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I never thought of it in that way before -- emotions being the problem and not the will -- but I have felt the way you did regarding not fully trusting God in many areas. I'm still battling with that idea. It's awesome that it happened for you so quickly!
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Hi Amanda,
I have prayed and battled in a hectic way. I had one instance in prayer that my nose started bleeding. The tears I have shed cos I couldn't "reach" God would fill a few cups.
The thing is that all that hard prayer was done by myself. I never did put my trust in The Holy Spirit. In prayer I would try to see Jesus on the cross, but not really have Him inside me. Now I let my heart tell my mind what to do. His Spirit guides us, and that is the only way to change one's soul.
Emotional prayer is truly a waste at times. I will admit that at times when one prays with emotion it turns out to be a fulfilling communication between God and oneself. Praying with the will to pray one starts to commune with calmness.
I still fall. But, while I am down there I will ask The Holy Spirit to guide me, with calmness. And, when I have a sound mind (could be in 10 minutes or couple of hours) I will go and pray.
It is all about the junk that evil put in our heads. So, I pray in The Spirit, from my heart, denying the flesh in every way I can. Evil can throw at me what they want, I will ignore and resist them. Well, The Holy Spirit is The One whom comforts and guide me.
We will fall. As long as we get back up and push forward :)
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Josh I know that Paul prayed many prayers with emotions. God Himself is not without emotions as He created us in His image. He doesn't want us relying on our emotions which we sometimes do. I say this as I was in emotions until this morning because I've been in severe pain all week. But I've seen answer to prayer even when I was emotional or in doubt that God felt I needed what I felt I needed and wasn't going to answer. But He has many times. I've had times of peace and times of turmoil because I am emotional and I cannot deny that fact. I am often tired and overwhelmed to exhaustion and my emotions do well up especially in those times. I do not believe we can rely on ourselves. Any breakthroughs we experience are of God in His timing when He feels we're ready for the next level. But He can use us when we are in, or out, of emotions.
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Seek,
I think God will sometimes speak to us inspite of the whirlwind of our emotions but I've found that more and more God helps quieten me enough to hear His still small voice. Like this article says, I believe God isn't confined in the ways God speaks to His children.
http://www.gotquestions.org/still-small-voice.html
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Josh, it sounds like you are describing your own personal experience of the difference between being religious and being born again. I'm happy to hear you are now indwelt by the Spirit and have received the new life. I think one of the tricks of the enemy and the way religious people even try to trick themselves into thinking their standing before God is right is by going on their feelings, and feelings are real, but they are based on beliefs, and beliefs can be very wrong, as you have outlined here, in stating how you wasn't really trusting in God but thought you did. Thanks for sharing.
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