Stress – Stress – Stress! Eliminate it!

I knew the week would be a challenging week. I felt like there weren’t going to be enough hours in the day, and that I might not have the energy to make it through the week. My schedule was just packed.

What do you do with a week like that? I chose to pray.

I started plotting the must do list. There were meetings, and there were time sensitive deadlines. I began to pray for the energy to get through the week and for the Lord to help me write what He gives me a little more quickly. Then, I began to thank God and trust Him to handle it.

God provided, and I was very thankful. I saw more opportunities to get things done, and I saw more opportunities to rest. He provided for my needs along the way. May God get all praise, honor, and glory! God is always faithful!

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

Guess what? I was shocked to find that the next week was just as full! It must be a test! Maybe I missed something the first time. What am I to learn or to remember?

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34

When you find yourself feeling stressed, cling to that verse!

I wanted to stress out and panic, but instead I prayed. I decided to plot out the week just like I had the last. I also decided that it would take more focused concentration to keep myself on track. I decided to stand on that verse. Each day had enough to think about. On each day, I was determined to think only about that day as much as possible. I simply refused to become stressed.

Two days into that next full week, a Wednesday appointment had moved to Tuesday. A Friday appointment moved to Wednesday. Then my Tuesday appointment moved to Friday. Suddenly, I had gaps of time during the day where I really needed them the most. God always works things out!

Do you stress over changed appointments? Changed appointments are sometimes just God’s way of fixing your schedule. Although I had the same number of appointments after it was all said and done, I had a day freed up early in the week to write and record. Since my Wednesday appointment was now earlier in the day, I also had a larger block of time in the afternoon to work.

LIFE APPLICATION

We all have those times when too much lands on our plate. It’s not that we necessarily set out to do that, but it happens. Be encouraged. Whenever too much lands on my plate, I watch for God to work. He always provides.

Today’s challenge is to plan out your week. Plan your work to be sure you are not wasting time. Pray about where God would have you to alter your schedule. Pray also for your needs. Trust God to work out the details and to provide.