Stress seems to find us then follow some of us wherever we go!  Are you interested in how stress affects you?

On a separate piece of paper, write numbers from 1-10 and write your corresponding answer to each question.  Consider how you are internally affected when in each situation and how those feelings affect your thoughts and actions.

1.  How often do you feel you are unable to control important things in your life (like time with family, serving in ministry, ministry preparation, time to relax, etc)?

Never               Some Days           Most Days             Daily                  Several Times Daily

1                                   2                               3                           4                                      5

2.  How often do you get upset while working at your computer (home and office)?

Never               Almost             Sometimes                    Fairly Often                  Very Often

1                                2                           3                                         4                                      5

3.  How comfortable or relaxed do you feel at staff or team meetings?

Not at all          Occasionally     Somewhat Often           Fairly Often            Very Often

5                             4                                3                                        2                               1

4.  I fit into the social setting within my office setting and/or ministry setting?

Seldom             Sometimes          Depends upon …       Fairly Often                  Very Often

5                              4                               3                                    2                                       1

5.  I feel pressured to make more money to pay for family or personal expenses.

Never               Occasionally        Sometimes                 Fairly Often                  Very Often

1                                   2                               3                                      4                                    5

6.  I’ve consider seeking a new position at church or a new job somewhere else over the last two months.

Never               Almost Have      Sometimes                 Often                    Very Often

1                              2                           3                                 4                               5

7.  When at home during a heated family discussion, I get headaches or feel pressure on my chest?

Never               Somewhat           Sometimes                 Fairly Often                  Very Often

1                         2                                3                                      4                                     5

8.  I let people (family, friends and/or co-workers) down, unable to meet their expectations.

Never               Sometimes           Generally                   Fairly Often                  Very Often

1                         2                                3                                      4                                        5

9.  Recently, someone in my home has told me he/she is dissatisfied with their life.

Never               Maybe             Has Happened             Fairly Often                  Very Often

1                         2                               3                                      4                                      5

10. I have difficulty trusting what others (church, friends or family) say is really true.

Never               Almost             Sometimes                    Fairly Often                  Very Often

1                         2                           3                                         4                                          5

Now add up your scores and compare to the numbers below.

10-20  -  You are not affected by daily stressors or are in denial.

20-25   -  Even though your life is eventful, you are human and able to handle stress.

25-35  -  Your reactions to stress affect you thoughts and actions, causing some concern.

35-50  -  Stressful events are affecting your daily functioning, with great concern.

Specific way to analyze your responses.

1. Look at each answer you scored a 3 or above.
2. Consider why you answered the way you did and how your answer affects your daily stress or the total amount of stress by the end of your week.
3. Ask yourself, how you are coping with each stressor and consider other options to coping.
4. On the questions you answered 4 and/or 5, consider reading relevant articles on your area of stress.  Also consider applicable scriptures or spiritual disciplines to help you handle the stressor.
5. If you choose to seek professional assistance with the stressor(s), you have an 8 out of 10 probability you will find positive change with your stress.

Wherever I go, I hear songs about Christmas. I can’t escape these songs, in my car, at the mall and everywhere I go I hear the sound of Christmas.  I am reminded of fond memories of Christmas past and hope for a Spirit filled Christmas.  Though when I look at my December calendar I think …?

Every day seems to be booked with important meetings, events, parties and church celebrations that demand my time and attention.  There’s so much to do and so little time to squeeze everything into one month.  Are you feeling me here?

Do you want to decrease your stress as compared to last December?  If so, how do you want this December to be different than last year?  Do you want to be spiritually connected with God’s purpose in sending His Son, Jesus?  Do you want to have more energy, feel less tired?  Okay, this is sounding like a TV or radio commercial

Well, this is your life. You are in charge of how you make the next several weeks different.  You can get started by admitting you can not control the many events and expectations that surround you.  Second, you can accept control of what happens inside of yourself and how you can respond.  This literally means for all of us this month to expect an increase in the amount of challenges, expectations and needs that come our way.  The difference we will all need is found in our connection to God’s grace, His ability to handle what goes on inside our mind and our heart?

Ask yourself, how can I use grace, God’s ability in my head and heart differently this month?  Consider this verse found in 2 Corinthians 9:8:  “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”.  The apostle Paul wrote this verse in context of giving monetarily to God.  Well, Paul’s words here can also be applied to management of your internal world (your thoughts and feelings).

Here’s how, ask God for His ability to settle your emotions in your heart, letting go of the pressure and frustrations that from time to time push you to the edge.  Second, ask God for the ability to think clearly, to make wise decisions based upon what is important to you and Him.  If needed, take time to ask for God’s ability right now.

Now, take action. Look at your list of tasks for today, this week; then ask yourself, what can I do right now, to organize myself, my day and week to de-stress and make the most of celebrating the birth of God’s Son?  When you find a peace about your day, talk to someone close to you about what you’re doing to get their support.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14