Dealing With Stress Everybody has to deal with unwanted, uncontrollable stress in their lives, natural disasters, and unexpected job loss, the death of a loved one, an accident, or an illness. All of these lie mostly outside of our realm of control. But when I began to enjoy the present moment, and to reframe the situations that arose, by practicing gratitude, my own perceptions and reactions changed and I was able to accept my own circumstances. This reminds me of the words of Jesus: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matt. 6:34,) Jesus taught us to be mindful of the present, not of the future. The apostle Paul likewise taught us to forget "those things which are behind," meaning the past. This means letting go of any thought that is unrelated to the present moment and finding something to enjoy in the present moment. Most people do not live in the present moment. They are wishing for a different moment—either past or future. They go through the motions required to function in the present moment, but they are thinking things like: "I'll be happy when..." "I get a bigger place to live." "I get that promotion." "My kids are out of school. “ I pay off these bills." "I get a new car." We need to train our minds to let go of any thought that is unrelated to the present moment and to find something to enjoy in the present—continually. When you walk or drive, pay attention to the beautiful scenery, the chirping of the birds and crickets, and the feel of the warm sunshine or the chill in the air.
Nothing exemplifies this better than thankfulness and gratitude. The Book of Psalms is filled with the poetry of thanksgiving, such as this one: Bless the lord, 0 my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5, It's interesting that the Bible says you enter His gates with thanksgiving, because an "attitude of gratitude" helps you take the focus off your situation and shifts it to the One who can work everything out for you. Hebrews 13 tells us to give the sacrifice of praise continually, not just when we feel like it, "the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (verse15). Paul said, "In every thing give thanks [even in the midst of trials and tribulations]: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude and thanksgiving go hand in hand. I recommend that you start each day by identifying at least twenty or thirty specific things, great and small, for which you are grateful. Do this with your family at the breakfast table and when you are alone in the shower. Make it part of your running mental dialogue wherever you go. Thankfulness and mindfulness will go a long way toward erasing the stress in your life.
At this time of year, at every opportunity my good lady and I often go for a drive in the countryside, and we like to visit old churches. In one country church that we visited, we saw a beautiful painting of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He was holding a shepherd’s crook and was surrounded by sheep with their little lambs. Next to the picture someone had placed a notice on which was written: “Don’t lay awake counting sheep. If your worries keep you awake, then bring them to the shepherd.” It seems that everyone, old and young, rich and poor has worries. It is part of the human condition and something that we cannot escape. If there is something that worries you; take it to the Good Shepherd and let Him deal with it.
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