Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Health
Organizing the Inside – Day 348 Have a Laugh!
We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.” Psalm 126:2 (NLT)
Laughter is good and it’s refreshing too. I believe laughter is a unique and special gift from God. Giggling is not just for the young, it sure can help rejuvenate the tired. No drug store prescription is needed, when you have laughter it often chases away the worries of the world. Have you ever laughed so hard that your side hurt and you could hardly catch your breath? God made us to laugh when tickled and sometimes for me, just the thought of being tickled makes me burst out in uncontrollable laughter. Must we always be so serious? Sure spiritual matters are serious business, but God certainly has a sense of humor and laughter is a gift He gave.
Consider letting your hair down; enjoy a joke or two. Laughter is often contagious. There are certain people you should keep on speed dial. You know, the ones who will always have a funny story or a laugh to share. Happy people who enjoy life seem to laugh a lot. Don’t take yourself too seriously. The stress of the daily grind may make us frown or even seem angry. This gives the wrong impression about Christian living. Add a laugh break to your calendar (if that works for you) but enjoy God’s great gift of laughter. The next time you feel exhausted after a long and stressful day try laughter; it will help relax you and bring a sense of lightheartedness to those around you. There’s nothing innately sinful about laughter it’s okay to indulge.
Organizing the Inside – Day 315 Just Let It Out
In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah Psalm 4:4 (NIV)
Allow God to renew your mind, but make sure you also release the unhealthy stress and pressure at the end of your day. I’m a firm believer that we should never take it home, but that is easier said than done. Carrying around the frustration, or anger, embarrassment or anxiety that resulted from an intense business meeting or a highly emotional exchange is unhealthy. Perhaps this is why God’s Word tells us, “…and don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Ephesians 4:26 (NLT) I think this can also be applied to other strong emotions that we experience in our everyday interactions with others. There is nothing abnormal about stress and anger, but when it comes we must not let it linger. Who among us has never been angry? Anger is likely not the problem, it’s how we deal with it and the reasons why it exists to begin with that is usually the problem.
Talking about it can sometimes help. Studies show that people who have a support system and share their feelings with a trusted friend add years to their life expectancy. It is said that people who have more close friends tend to live longer. The point is this; there is clear guidance in the Word of God about dealing with our emotions and not stuffing them down in an attempt to ignore the obvious. When you feel things are building up, as if you might go into complete emotional failure, do something about it. Be proactive when you feel frustration building. There is nothing ungodly about letting off steam, as long as you aren’t exploding in a way that hurts or offends those around you.
Keep God as your first line of defense against built up anger or stress. Telling Him how you feel and taking time to talk it through with the Lord will give you the release you need to keep your heart free. God and I have had many conversations that began in anger and ended with me laughing. I’ll ask Him things like, “Did you see how she acted?” and “Did you hear what they said?” The delayed realization that my trusted Friend and Savior is also omnipresent, has often provided a bit of comic relief. Once I get it all out I’m reminded, that of course He knows what happened. Find comfort by reminding yourself that not only does He see, our God sees and cares. Certain strong emotions and stress when left unchecked can cause problems down the road. Keeping a journal of your feelings is also another way to let it go. Whichever outlet you choose, a friend, prayer, or writing, just remember that your anger will never achieve God righteous purpose. (James 1:20) When it’s called for repent and ask for forgiveness. (Psalm 139:1, 2) Keep stress and anger in its place; it belongs far away from your heart. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit; deal with your strong emotions when they occur.
How do you handle the end of a long and stressful day?
Here is a simple and straight forward article about anger.
- 5 Reasons you should let go of Anger/Stress (muhdlawal.wordpress.com)
Organizing the Inside – Day 305 Rest Better Do Better
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8 (NLT)
Studies show that getting the right amount of deep, restful, rejuvenating sleep can positively affect your quality of life. It’s also true that living on less than six hours of sleep each night is unhealthy. The effects of insufficient sleep are like beginning your day under the influence of alcohol. If you have developed the common habit of falling asleep in front of the television you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. Consider turning off the television; instead listen to the Word of God or soothing music on CD.
God wants our sleep to be restful. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. Proverbs 3:24 (NLT) This can’t happen if your mind is racing or you are emotionally charged from a movie you’ve just watched. Consider this; give God the first and last minutes of each day. By falling asleep with the television on you allow all sorts of things to enter your subconscious mind and interfere with your rest. The sounds and voices heard during the REM stage of sleep will likely become a part of your dreams (whether you remember them or not).
Do you wake up tired? If you’re starting out exhausted before your day even begins, try doing something different. For one week commit to turning your heart toward God for the last hour of your day. Do this in addition to your morning devotions. Look for new ideas that help promote a healthy sleep pattern. Set your schedule to give you enough time for quality sleep. Formulate new habits that will help ensure your success; make it a point to get a good night’s rest every night.
Day 42- I Keep Making the Same Mistake
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer; ~Proverbs 30:25
Dear Lord, I can’t find my keys again, and the mail has piled up so that my bag now needs to go into a box or a bigger bag. One of the biggest mistakes many busy women make creates stress that God never intended them to experience. God demonstrates just how organized He is throughout the scriptures. With so many examples of instructions that were given that required one to “follow the plan”, we should be clear about God’s intent for us to have order in our lives.
God made plans to redeem man long before the foundation of the earth. Even the ants are productive during the summer because they know that winter is coming and they must be prepared.
If the ants – so tiny, so smart can make preparations for the future, then we too can plan ahead to make sure we aren’t distressed when we should be at ease. Decide now that you will stop making the same old mistake of not taking time to make plans and organize yourself. I find this is one of the most common mistakes my clients repeat; not taking time out to restore order or make proper plans. If you can’t find your keys again today, plan for a solution. Have duplicates made that you can leave with a neighbor or trusted friend. STOP, and make plans for a solution so you can move forward without so much unnecessary stress.
Day 31- Anxiety Is Overrated
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ~Philippians 4:6
Are you letting your worries and the what-ifs in life keep you from being all you can be? Maybe the anxiety is keeping you from doing all that you can do for the kingdom of God. Today after having recovered from the stress of the stress brought on by almost worrying myself out of a victory, I finally faced my fear and decided to trust God, but not until the very last minute.
I knew I needed my wisdom tooth removed for months. It took me that long to do something about it, because I had perceived the pain and tragedy of a possible broken jaw or overdosing on anesthesia was more than my little fearful heart could handle.
How foolish I felt when after all that worry and self inflicted anxiety I breezed through it almost as easy as standing in line at the grocery store. My BP read 178/96 and to my doctor’s surprise I’d never been diagnosed with high blood pressure. The worry and stress brought my numbers almost off the charts in an otherwise healthy individual. Silly me, I should have just trusted God from the very beginning.
If your anxiety is keeping you from doing something that you know you should do. Or perhaps you are avoiding an opportunity to serve simply because your imagination has been corrupted by fear. Take it from me it is so much easier to trust God from the beginning. Enjoy the victory, it has already been won, trust God today even if the giant in your life is as big as my wisdom tooth.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 