Thursday, April 11, 2013

Stressed-Less Living ~ What is the REAL problem?

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand"  Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
 
Today's blog is in conjunction with a bible study I am participating in through Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Together we are studying the book 'Stressed-Less' Living by Tracie Miles. 

Perfect book for me right?  Another book on how to live stress free - how many of these do we read or scan in our lifetime.  We're truly out to find a remedy to living a 'stressed-less' life. But, is there really such a thing?

Tracie describes stress like this: 'a never ending cycle of emotions'  - a vicious cycle!  Like being on a merry-go-round that never stops, leaving you feeling trapped in a blur of colorful horses with wide-eyed, evil looks on their faces'   - AH HA!


That's it!  We go around and around and around and it truly has become the norm for us.  We continue spinning out of control, those evil-eyed horses looking us straight in the eyes - however, we can't seem to find any way off the 'ride of life'.  Every day something else is added to our already overloaded plate and it grows and grows until it's towering high above us with nowhere to go but into a downward spiral, crashing at our feet as we become unable to do one more thing  (or so we think).  The truth is, the vicious cycle doesn't stop when that tower crashes to the ground - it's just at that time we have a melt-down - cry, reach out to God, lick our wounds, address our emotions and pick ourselves back up for more of the same.  BUT, for me, this is normal!   I am the full time employee of a large company doing stressful work, co-owner of our family business (payroll, taxes, paperwork-truly the job of 1 person full time), wife, mother, grandmother, maid, psychologist, laundromat attendant, Sunday school teacher, volunteer ministry worker,  and this season it's college advisor/financial aid preparer as well - you name it - I have the title and the duties to go along with it. So, pay somebody to help, right?  WRONG - who can afford that?  yet... I'm TIRED!  Exhausted!  How many others have I described today?  As I sit here and type this, I honestly cannot think of one thing that I can hand off to someone (that they will take without substantial pay!).    If I don't do it, it won't get done.  Well then........  the crazy person in my head will not allow something to go undone - especially if that means implications later...truth is, I have enough to do, no way I want to deal with more later.....is this wrong?


So, there it is - the REAL issue - this is MY way of life.  This is MY normal.  This is all I know - what I feel I'm expected to carry out.    I see no end in sight.  Do I need to make changes?  Likely. However, I've spent all week in my head working through how this might ever be possible - I have no resolution.   I was taught if you have an issue, make sure you come to the table with a resolution.  For this I have none.

Tracie says:  'Willpower comes when there is sufficient information to signify that a change is crucial.  The  motivation to change can come from Matthew 19:26'  - all things are possible with God.

I know it is within Him I will find an answer and that I may not even realize the work being done behind the scenes, but that eventually things will begin slowing down - life won't be like riding a spinning top - and it will be due to my Father in Heaven who has me, even when I feel far, far away.  Like our previous study - its necessary to Let Go and Let God.  To immerse in His word and find comfort and peace daily in our sometimes unmanageable worlds. 

Read Psalm 16 today. Find your peace.

'Lord you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.   The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.  You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand'...... Psalm 16:5-11


Today my prayer for me, and for each of you is that we seek guidance from the ONE who can provide for our every need.  Allow him to be your portion and fill your cup with a remedy not even money can buy!

~ Until the next Chapter!   Find a few minutes of Stressed-Less living today!

<3   Kelley


















7 comments:

  1. You just described my life, Kelly =) "If I don't do it, it won't get done."... but I'm slowly learning (through God's grace, not me!!) that somethings are ok if they dont' get done... at least right then. It's a long struggle and journey, though! I'll be praying for you, and all of us on this journey. <3 and Hugs!

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  2. Thank you Lauren!!!!!! So love this group of awesome prayer warriors!!! One thing is, we all know where to go to find our answers!

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  3. Goodness! I can so relate! Thank you so much for sharing with us--and for always being there for us, even though your plate is full even before our emails! :)

    Love ya!

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    1. Never too full for my sweet sisters/brothers in Christ! Hugs

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  4. Kelley, thank you so much for sharing your life and heart with us today. I love how honest and real you were. I completely agree, stress is a vicious cycle. We have to stop the cycle and accepting the current situation as the new normal. Like you, I have a difficult time letting some things go. However, we each have to allow God to guide our steps and take us to a place of peace.

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  5. Great post. I can so relate! As I was reading Chapter 1, I was trying to figure out what I can let go of. It doesn't seem like there is anything...but, the Lord will show us both how to be stressed-less! I find so much hope in know that God's normal is serenity, not stress & chaos. Love you sweet sister!

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  6. Kelley like you the plate is always full and I think it always will be because I have to be doing. I am learning to do and not stress so much. Life is hard whatever phase we are in - if we aren't raising kids we are taking care of parents. It's hard soooo what do we do - let go, let God and stay close to him. Loved your blog and heart. Peace dear one. Debbie W. (OBS Leader)

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