stress
Inspirational: Hope to Handle Your Anxieties By Finding Ultimate Control!
Inspirational: Hope to Handle Your Anxieties By Finding Ultimate Control!
Hope for the Anxious!
Inspiration and hope is available
to help you handle your anxieties.
At some point,
we all will have feelings of anxiety,
and when it shows up we want to
get rid of it as soon as possible.
The good news: There is help, so have hope.
“We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.”
— Psalm 33:20
Anxious, Fearful, and a Lack of Control
Anxieties show up for a variety of reasons. Why they come, and to what extent they come, varies from person to person and situation to situation. Typically, a sudden change in life triggers feelings of anxiety, fear, and a lack of control.
Anxiety often comes when we feel as though our circumstances are beyond our control. The pressures and stresses of life can make us feel unsure about the future and cause us to worry and be anxious. An overwhelming sense that we have lost control can overtake us.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
— Isaiah 40:31
Hope, Help, Peace, and Ultimate Control
Anxieties do come, but we have hope and help. God clearly tells us what we are to do when worries and concerns arise. He tells us in Matthew 6:25 to not be worried about our lives, and in 1 Peter 5:7 he tells us to cast all our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us.
No doubt, a sudden change can leave you feeling unsure about the future. However, there is never a time when God is unsure. God is in control even when your life becomes torn apart by the pressures of the world.
Anxiety may come when you feel like your circumstances are beyond your control, but nothing is beyond God’s control. “The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.” (Psalm 97:1)
Do you wonder what happens to your peace and joy when anxiety approaches? Your source of true peace is Jesus Christ. When sorrows and worries come, He calms your heart. When financial anxieties and difficulties increase, He provides for each need.
God tells us to cease striving and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) Be still within your heart and allow Him to do for you what you cannot do yourself – calm your fears and anxieties.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
— Romans 15:13
Good news: You do not have to handle your anxieties on your own. God cares for you. His love is unconditional, and His Word promises that He will meet all your needs. Be still and know that God is the superpower of all powers and your life is in His ultimate control. Let His Word be your inspiration and hope.
May you have abundant joy and peace, overflow with hope, and live a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you –
Cheers,
Brenda
Encouragement of Hope! Why All the Sad Faces if this is the Happiest Time of the Year?
Encouragement of Hope! Why All the Sad Faces if this is the Happiest Time of the Year?
Discover Encouragement Affirmations to Live with Hope for Tomorrow!
Encouragement to face the light and…
live with hope for tomorrow is –
much needed during the holiday season.
The music, movies, commercials, etc…
all shout that the holidays are the happiest time of the year.
If this is the case, why are there so many sad,
discouraged, and depressed people walking around?
In the USA alone, the suicide rate back in 2007 was stated at Suicidology.org to be 34,598, or about 95 suicides per day. That is about one fatal outcome every 15 minutes. What a terrible tragedy to have so much self-destruction when life is so precious.
The Discouragement Factor
Why do so many people take their own lives? The primary reason is overwhelming discouragement. Discouragement is a destructive force that changes a person’s mindset and outlook to become dark, negative, and hopeless. They lose their courage and find it replaced with fear.
Holiday seasons come with the expectation that happiness is required. However, the fact is, holidays tend to have added stressors on top of the rest of life’s challenges, including financial trouble, illness, loss of loved ones, and more. And unfortunately, many people find themselves discouraged and depressed during this season.
Victims of discouragement can quickly end up with hindered decision making skills and in no condition to do things effectively. Their whole mentality is placed at a disadvantage as their mind becomes depressed. Discouragement darkens the mind and can cause a person to make fatally wrong decisions.
The Encouragement Treatment
Discouragement stems from a feeling of separateness from God and this causes a consciousness of weakness and a feeling of standing alone. Treat this disease by conquering those mental enemies with positive affirmations. Drive out fear, anxiety, worry, and the “blues” by affirming your connection with God.
“We are all ‘under fire’ all our lives, and the real hero is the one who keeps straight on in spite of discouragements and disappointments, never losing one jot of heart or courage, never giving way to despair, trusting always in the Divine Power that will lead him to his goal.”
— Orison Swett Marden
Begin to eliminate those negative things that stand between you and your Maker and allow free access to the flow of God’s Divine Power by regularly affirming His truths.
Encouragement Affirmations:
‘I am a child of the King of kings and there is something inside of me that is bigger than my circumstances. I am a co-heir with Christ and all that He has.’
‘I am strong, courageous, confident, and hopeful for the future. My mind is serene and I sleep peacefully knowing my destiny is in the hands of Him who controls everything and who does all things well.’
‘I declare my power to conquer difficulty and overcome. I trust in God and forge ahead. I dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. His truth is my shield and protector.’
The truth is: We can allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by discouragement, OR we can rise above it. Overcome by speaking positive, encouraging, success affirmations. Strengthen your mind by using positive thoughts to drive out negative thoughts.
Choose to encourage yourself and others regularly, so that you keep a heart of courage, thoughts of hope, and trust always in the Divine Power of God in your life.
May you be encouraged, keep your face toward God’s light, and live a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you always,
Brenda
P.S. This article is inspired by Marden’s book “How to Get What You Want” and specifically the chapter “Discouragement – How to Cure It”
Dave Ramsey on Holiday Shopping – 4 Tips to Celebrate Debt Free
Dave Ramsey on Holiday Shopping – 4 Tips to Celebrate Debt Free
Why Go Into Debt to Celebrate?
If the holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, why does it often seem like the most stressful time of the year?
Financial stress is at the top of many people’s list this time of year.
Many folks just don’t have extra money available to do all the celebrating and shopping they desire. Yet the world puts the pressure on to buy more and keep up with Joneses; even if it means going into debt. Throwing it all on the credit card seems to be the solution.
Although after the New Year, the bills start coming in and the struggle just to pay the minimum payments begin. The struggle to get the debt paid off can go on late into the year or longer. And that only adds to the stress the following holiday season. So instead of planning and enjoying the new season, there still remains the hassle of left-over debt and the stress that goes with it.
Are you ready to end the cycle and say no more debt, no more credit? Then it is time to make a plan early in the year and stick to it so you can avoid piling up mounds of debt on credit cards.
Dave Ramsey provides the following holiday shopping ideas and tips for celebrating debt free this year:
1. RESEARCH
Look for deals online before heading to the stores. Find out what the prices are at the stores you plan to visit and don’t waste your time shopping at one if you know another store down the street has a better deal.
2. MAKE A BUDGET
It’s common sense stuff, but amazing how many people have no financial plan for their spending. And when they go shopping they are like kids in a toy store buying the first flashy toy that catches their eye.
If you plan to work your way out of debt, it requires becoming disciplined during the holiday season. If you must buy for many, keep it simple and stay within your means. Don’t get caught up in the mindset that bigger is better or it will just come back to bite you when the bills start coming in after the new year.
3. USE CASH
As Dave always says, you spend less when you use cash. So stop by the bank or ATM to get your pre-planned amount of shopping cash before you hit the stores. And when it’s gone it’s time to stop shopping.
If you’ve planned ahead and followed the previous two steps then using cash should be easy. You will know what you need to buy and how much it will cost before you start. Planning time well spent!
4. START NOW – PLAN EARLY
If you haven’t made a plan this holiday season, then stop now and take some time to evaluate your situation and make a budget. Look at the big picture and consider the outcome of your choices this holiday season. Shop smart and keep it within your means.
And if this holiday season caught you off guard once again, well remember, it is never too late to try again. Next year you can make better decisions and do things differently.
Happy Holidays to All & a Very Merry Christmas!
God bless you,
Brenda
P.S. Check out www.daveramsey.com for a wealth of information on finances and budgeting. Dave Ramsey also provides a tool that allows you to create a budget online in 60 seconds.
Spiritual Power – Tap Into Help from God and let His Spiritual Light Guide You Thru the Storms of Life!
Spiritual Power – Tap Into Help from God and let His Spiritual Light Guide You Thru the Storms of Life!
Why Have You Failed to Turn to God for Help?
Spiritual power and help from God are…
available to all of us.
Have you lost trust in people?
Have you been let down by them in the past over and over again?
Are you unable to trust those that you used to reply on for help?
Great! That is actually a good thing. Why? Because now you are able to turn to God for help; the one who has the power to rescue any person who is ready to be rescued.
Do You Turn to God for Help?
Far above any human weakness is God, and the truth of His Word. All problems can be solved with help from God, regardless of how long they have been troubling you. There are no exceptions. The following issues and more can be eliminated: stress, anxiety, shame, depression, sickness, loneliness, confusion, lack, pain, loss, anger, and fear.
Tapping into God’s help shines a powerful, spiritual light on all the dark and difficult problems and makes them disappear.
It is strange, but true, that people often fail to get help from God. Why? Simply because they refuse to see that their condition is far worse than it appears on the surface. People fear facing their situation and admitting they don’t have a solution. So they go ahead and deceive themselves into believing the problem is really no big deal.
Where does this leave God? Completely left out!
Do You Leave God Out of the Equation?
Have the courage to face the storms of life that surround you and admit that you don’t have the answers. Don’t be ashamed or fear that fact. Humble yourself before God, and reach out to Him for help to attract the answer to you. Let God be your personal guide through the storm and take you safely to the other side.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
— Psalm 46:1
Spiritual information from the truth of God’s Word is spiritual power that also helps us in the natural. To be a sincere seeker of God’s help requires eliminating resistance to His spiritual information and wisdom. God gives us His Word to help only, and not hurt.
Spiritual Power, Help from God
There is God, and there is you. Your help is over there with God right now, just waiting for your arrival.
- Reach out by faith and tap into God’s spiritual power.
- Dig into His Word and find guidance.
- Cry out to Him in prayer and wait patiently for His answer.
- Meditate on His Word and allow His revelation knowledge to manifest in your life.
Are you feeling helpless and hopeless today? Then put your trust in God. He is the helper to the helpless and ruler over all. You don’t have to solve your problems, you just have to acknowledge them and turn them over to the Lord. The Almighty God is your ever present help in time of need.
May you tap into the help of God and His spiritual power and live a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you always-
Soar higher in Him,
Brenda
Live Healthy – Is Stress and Anxiety Taking You for a Ride on the Emotional Roller Coaster?
Live Healthy – Is Stress and Anxiety Taking You for a Ride on the Emotional Roller Coaster?
Find Out How Stress Affects More Than Your Moods!
I know; much easier said than done in today’s busy world.
Are you stressed out these days?
Well you need to understand that worry and anxiety affects more than just our moods.
Truth is, even if we faithfully practice healthy habits like exercising and eating properly, the benefits we’ve gained from that will be thrown out the window if we let stress get the best of us!
The Stress Flare
How are your stress levels after you’ve had a long day at work and traffic on the freeway slows to a crawl? Or how about running late in the morning when getting the kids off to school because one unexpected thing after another continues to happen?
Listen, we’ve all been there as situations that are out of our control cause our tempers to flare and sometimes reach a boiling point. But what we need to be aware of is how this stress affects our body.
What happens in these stressful situations is that the body revs up production of a hormone called cortisol. Blood vessels constrict and divert the flow of blood from processes like digestion to the quick-acting muscles in the arms and legs, where an energy burst could be needed. The heart races to keep up with the frenzied motion, and the resulting hyper-alertness causes all sorts of anxiety.
We have to realize that even if we are health-conscious and go to great lengths to take care of our bodies, but we give stress, frustration, anger, worry, and anxiety the upper hand, we wipe out most of all the health benefits we have gained.
When we worry extensively, harbor bitterness, or give in to anger, these emotions pile stress on our immune system and weaken its ability to work properly. Stress is a key source for many ills such as: hypertension, elevated heart rate, headaches, and hormonal imbalances in the body.
Emotional Roller Coaster
Researchers are finding it more apparent that emotions are powerful forces within the human mind that clearly affect the body and soul. The proper adjustments in attitude can help prevent us from becoming unhealthy individuals.
Don Colbert, M.D., in his book Deadly Emotions, says that an emotional roller coaster saps a person physically and psychologically, which can leave both mind and body depleted of energy and strength. He also points out that medical studies indicate:
- The mind and body are linked, which means how you feel emotionally can impact how you feel physically.
- Individuals who are fighting depression have an increased risk of developing cancer and heart disease.
- Emotions such as anxiety and fear have been linked to heart palpitations, irritable bowel syndrome, tension headaches, and more.
Don’t Worry. Be Happy!
Negative emotions alter body chemistry and can be a force that affects us in many ways. For example, it can affect our ability to sleep and digest food.
When life’s pressures build, we tend to revert back to unhealthy habits and turn to junk food for comfort. And we have no problem justifying it because of the intense pressure at work or at home, in our relationships, or dealing with financial setbacks, etc.
Be aware though, that turning to a diet of comfort food, junky snacks, or gooey desserts is going backwards, not forward, on the road to healthy living. Instead of these rich foods taking your mind off your troubles, they can actually compound your difficulties and add even more emotional stress. Know this and strive to make the better choices even in the midst of your struggles.
“Have no anxiety about anything; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:6-7
So, go ahead; don’t worry – be happy! In reality, worry and stress are symptoms of a lack of trust in our heavenly Father. We need to work on doing what Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34-35 to cure anxiety; which is to ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.’
May you seek first the kingdom of God and let His peace keep your heart and mind as you enjoy a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you always –
Cheers,
Brenda