This morning, I was a guest speaker at a women's conference in Perth Amboy. Sponsored by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the aim of the day was to celebrate the empowerment of women in today's world. One of the church members had taken a stress management class of mine some months ago at her place of work, and thought my message would be a good one for their program.
I started by introducing some of the basic coping skills of stress management including getting a good night's sleep; engaging in some form of exercise, even walking; finding ways to relax and de-stress; making time to have fun, to laugh and enjoy yourself; spending quality time with friends; eating right; and maintaining your serenity.
Then I took it to a higher level. We also need spiritual coping skills for the stress management of our souls. I asked, what if Jesus were giving this stress management talk? What practices would He suggest in order to help you to care for your soul and the souls of others?
Here then are four ideas for taking care of your spiritual stress management:
Shalom - It's an ancient word for “Peace” used as a greeting. And it is often uttered by Jesus himself. He said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Many centuries later, St. Francis prayed “Make me an instrument of your peace.” Do we bring peace into our lives and the lives of those we encounter? There is much discord in the world today. How can we be more effective channels of peace in today's world?
Example - As a teacher, Jesus showed us The Way and gave us many examples of how to live our lives. How to serve. How to lead. How to suffer. How to carry one's cross. At the Last Supper, He himself was bread broken and shared for others. And he told us, Do this as I have done for you. Do we follow His example as He said we should? Our lives are so busy that it's easy to forget Him altogether until Sunday rolls around. How do we remember to live the example that Jesus taught in our daily lives?
Love - In the entire Bible, there is only one time that a definition of God is given: God is love. Jesus teaches us, "As the Father has loved me so I have loved you. Live on in my love." How do we do that? Do we understand what Jesus was saying when he taught us that God is love. There was a hit song in the 1960's that said "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." That lyric is as true today as ever! There is so much greed and hate in our time. How do we "live on in God's love" in our daily lives?
Faith - Faith is trusting in someone or something you do not see. As we learn in the Gospel story of Doubting Thomas, the risen Jesus says, Blessed are those who have not seen, but have believed. Do you trust in the real presence of God within you?
I invited the assembly to join me in singing the hymn “Amazing Grace” where the poet says:
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures."
In closing, I shared these words of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew: “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find much rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”
Now that is spiritual stress management you can rely upon.
Posted by Terrence Seamon on Saturday May 26, 2012
