Keep Your Composure

When we overuse our bodies and subject them to unending stress what can we do? When we've stressed our body and mind completely beyond what it can handle what is the answer? Problems. We need to learn to put our priorities into perspective and learn what's important to us and then learn an anointed word, "no." Often times we say "yes" to our boss, our friends, the children and our spouse when we know it's going to overload us. So why not be honest and say "no" with an explanation of when it can be done or why it doesn't need to be done. Even our boss should understand when they know there are only so many hours in a day.

Like I've said as we've talked about stress, it's unavoidable at times. What we must learn is how to handle it, especially when it's out of control. The consequences can take a toll on our body with sickness, disease, depression or other side affects that we really don't want.

When you are ready to explode, keep your composure and release it by breathing deeply, counting to ten (or one hundred!) or talk to the Shepherd. All will help. They give you time to think first before acting out your stress and frustration which usually causes the problem. When talking to the Shepherd you will learn His voice and when you hear it you will know what to do.

From Rev. George Malkmus, "Stress is a very real threat to our physical and emotional health. It is perhaps one of the greatest challenges in mastering oneself -- to balance that eternal tension between the ambitions of the mind with the limitations of the body." We must learn to relieve ourselves of stress and get clear peace we need as well as having the rest we need.

Here's to your health!