Stress! We live in such a fast-paced society. We always have so much to do. Our to-do list gets longer each day, and it seems as though we will never get it done. So many of us are caring for children, or parents, or even both. We worry about if we are good parents or good children. We worry about our spouses. Women, especially, are told to be the Proverbs 31 Women. I have to be honest here. I tried getting up earlier to get everything done. I was so tired by 8:00 a.m., all I wanted to do was go back to bed. All these demands on us just stress us out.
Stress can have negative effects on our bodies. It can cause high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Those are a few of the “biggies”. It can also lead to weight gain and an increase in viral and bacterial infections due to a weakened immune system. Have you ever felt like you have been sick forever? That can be stress. Stress can wreak havoc on us.
How do we deal with this stress?
Healthy Tip #5
As I’ve stated before, give it to God! Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB) states, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Give it to God and do not take it back. He can handle it; we can’t!
Meditate. I’m not talking about New Age meditation or yoga or anything else. I’m talking about meditating on the Word of God.
Philippians 4:8-9 (NASB) goes on to say, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
We should memorize scripture related to what we are dealing with and then meditate on it. If we learn to refocus our thoughts on these things, that will lower our stress.
Stress accomplishes nothing. Really, it doesn’t. When was the last time we felt great when we were stressed out? It’s time for us to give it to God.
Recipe
Asparagus Salad Recipe Print Out
Asparagus Salad
1 lb asparagus
1/2 red onion, slivered
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
3 T. balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cut asparagus into three-inch pieces and blanch in salted, boiling water for about one minute. Pour into colander and let drain for a few minutes. Do not rinse with cold water. Pour asparagus into bowl and add all other ingredients and stir. Let sit to absorb dressing. Serve at room temperature.
This is the fifth installment in my living healthy series.
Check out the rest of the Healthy Living Series:
- Black Friday: Life Changes - November 23, 2018
- Overwhelmed?Look to God! - June 20, 2018
- Looking Forward in Marriage: Retirement - June 13, 2018
Toni, this is so good! Putting aside the demands of our society and even christian culture to focus on giving it to God whatever it may be IS the biggest stress reliever. How often I try to do it all myself and forget that is not God’s plan for me or anyone.
Thank you for another delicious recipe to add to my cookbook of Toni’s recipes and for the wise advise of picking out verses that fit our situation and focuses on those. It’s complete nourishment for the soul & body!
Thank you. I always know that you will enjoy the recipes.