~Daily Devotion 30th~

36 Ways to Reduce Stress

Encouragement for you at the bottom of this list.

1. Pray.

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No, to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what and God would have you to do let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut.) This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough exercise.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your

quality of life.

21. Write thoughts and inspirations down.

22. Everyday, find time to be alone with God.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until its time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder or list of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus!"

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

~author unknown

** GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU**

How true this is! I have to include what a very dear friend of mine wrote about this because I agree completely with her. Her and her husband have suffered many hardships, tragedies and sorrow. I often look to her for hope as she follows Jesus with her unfailing faith.

She said:

"I've learned that it's only when I include Christ in my life, my stress changes to peace. The more moments I spend with Him, in prayer, and studying His Living Words of truth, the more closer I am drawn to Him (and the more often I recognize His Sweet voice speaking to me). It is my desire this year that I walk closer in the Spirit, that I live by the fruit of the Spirit. I want to walk in both the character and the power of the kingdom of God, which produces a different kind of lifestyle in myself. One that will attract others by His Light in me, in contrast to the darkness of the world in me. To live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. To live my life as a daily expression of worship, not living according to the ways of the world, but letting the Bible transform my mind. To strive to think and act God's way every day. I want to follow Abraham's example of faith. Accepting the righteousness of Jesus that comes through faith. I understand I am unable to meet God's standard of perfection. I believe that is why Jesus paid in full the penalty of sin.

Bill and I have not been exempt from stressful circumstances in our life, yesterday, and today, and until our Lord returns, there will be these "storms," in our lives. We will have concerns, yes, stress and worries. Our human nature of our flesh. But Greater is He in us than he of this world! Amen!

Often we can't do anything about our circumstances, but be consistent in our Prayers and wait on our Precious Lord. Realizing, and trusting our Lord is in Control, we are sheltered under His wings and He will never leave us, or forsake us. Realizing every breath we breathe, He is here for and with us. Waiting for us, and longing for us to give Him moments of our time, include Christ, (first), in our lives. How I often Praise Him in knowing this!

He wants us to encourage one another and to lift one another in our prayers. He Loves, meeting us at the throne of His grace.

I have learned, moments I am unable to know the words to speak, my Jesus will speak for me. I have learned, there is instant peace,those moments we give our burdens to our Precious Savior!! Those SWEET moments in His Words and in Prayer.

I often ask, moments as these, "What would Jesus do?" I read in the Scriptures so many times, how He always took His burdens to His Father. He set our example for us. There have been moments I've had no words in the midst of storms in our lives, but to fall on Jesus, His arms around me.His Angels surrounding me. This being So Precious and beyond my comprehension!!

Many things about yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we don't understand, but we know who holds our hand! And He will lead us through and stay with us, His Perfect way, even through death, into our heavenly Home, living eternally in peace with Him, and our love ones gone on before us.

As I continue this journey,with our Precious Savior in my life, I covet your prayers, for my dear family and myself, God knowing our every need for His best and perfect interest and will in our lives.

To God be ALL the Glory!"

Doede Poston

How precious is that? Thank You, Father God, for my friend's wonderful example of faith and love.

Doede's site and testimony is here:

http://gloriousgrace.net/

Blessings, Prayers, and Love,