Seven Secrets of Stress Management
by Rick Warren
Then Jesus said, "Let's get away from the crowds for a while and
rest."¯ There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and
his apostles didn't even have time to eat. Mark 6:31 (NLT)
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Jesus experienced enormous stress and pressure, yet it didn't seem
to disturb his peace of mind. In spite of opposition, constant
demands, and little privacy, his life reflected a calm sense of
balance.
What was his secret?
Identification "“ Know who you are (John 8:12)
Eighteen times Jesus publicly defined himself. There was no doubt in
his mind as to who he was. If you are unsure of your identity,
you'll allow others to pressure you into their molds. Trying to be
someone you're not causes stress!
Dedication "“ Know who you want (John 5:30)
You can't please everyone. Even God can't! Just about the time you
get "Crowd A"¯ happy, then "Crowd B"¯ will be upset with you. Jesus
never let the fear of rejection manipulate him. No one can pressure
you without your permission.
Organization "“ Set clear goals (John 8:14)
Jesus said, "I know where I came from and where I am going."¯ (NIV)
Preparation prevents pressure, but procrastination produces it. You
work by either priorities or pressures.
Concentration "“ Focus on one thing at a time (Luke 4:42-44)
You can't chase two rabbits at the same time! Jesus knew how to
handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal.
Delegation "“ Don't try to do everything yourself (Mark 3:14)
We get tense when we feel it all depends on us. Jesus enlisted
twelve disciples. Don't allow perfectionism, or the fear that others
may do a better job, to keep you from involving others in the task.
Meditation "“ Make a habit of prayer (Mark 1:35)
No matter how busy Jesus got, he found time to get alone to pray
everyday. A daily quiet time is a great stress decompression
chamber. Use this time to talk to God about your pressures and
problems, evaluate your priorities, and discover the rules for
successful living by reading the Bible.
Relaxation "“ Take time to enjoy life (Mark 6:30-31)
Balance is the key to stress management. Work must be balanced with
fun and worship.
