One reason why so many people feel stressed these days is our relentless pace of life.
Maybe you’re working long days and late hours… or constantly shuttling your kids from one activity to the next. You race home for a few minutes to eat dinner before heading to the next practice or event, and then you finally fall into bed feeling exhausted and on edge.
We all need to know how to take a break from that stress, to give our souls a chance to stop and breathe.
Afterallwithoutanypunctuationevenabriefsentencelikethisonemakesitexhaustingtoread.
See what I mean?
Here are three ways you can take a break from the panic of pressure-cooker living, and enjoy a more peaceful life each day:
Pause to Pray
You and I have a choice: fret or pray. You can carry your concerns and try to fix them yourself, or you can cast them at the foot of the cross – fully confident that God knows and cares about your troubles and fears. Take Paul’s advice:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Pause to Praise
Did you notice in the verse above that Paul prayed “with thanksgiving”? When stress and worry start to overtake you, turn your eyes upon Jesus, as the old hymn goes. Look full into the wonderful face of your Good Shepherd, and thank Him for something. Then watch your troubles grow strangely dim.
Pause to Gain Perspective
Whenever I feel myself starting to worry, I quote Scripture. Often this occurs at night, as I’m lying awake and all the concerns of the day rush on me at once. But as I mull over God’s Word, I’m able to pillow my head on His promises and sleep like a baby. Train your thoughts, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8-9,
“If there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things… and the God of peace will be with you.”
As you hit the pause button to pray, praise, and gain perspective, you’ll learn to exhale all that ails you and breathe in God’s peace. Your soul will find rest and revival – and your body will thank you for the break.
