Do you ever get so stressed you have a hard time relaxing?
I’ve been feeling that way a lot lately. Between the i-phone app, various writing projects, and regular life, I’m feeling overwhelmed.
Too often I handle the stress by continuing to work long after it’s time to quit for the day. That’s why I wrote the following questions – because I needed them!
Note: These questions and Bible verses are from the I Deserve a Donut iPhone app.
Stress: End of the Work Day Questions
- What did you accomplish today? (Be specific.)
- Were you able to complete everything on your list?
- Yes: If so, why are you still feeling stressed?
- No: If not, what didn’t you finish and why didn’t you finish it? (Be specific.)
- Do you have a legitimate reason for not finishing everything on your list?
- Yes: If so, can you realistically expect to always accomplish everything on your list? Why or why not?
- No: Given your personality and past experience, is it surprising you didn’t finish everything on your list? Are you remembering that you’re a work in progress, or are you expecting yourself to be perfect right away?
- Since you can’t change what’s been done or not done, what do you think God wants you to do now?
- Keep working in a frenzy, knowing that it’s essential to finish your list.
- Keep working in peace, knowing that life is about God, not your list.
- Quit working, but spend the rest of the night thinking about what you didn’t get done.
- Quit working, forget about the list, and remember that life is about God, not your list.
- How do you think God wants you to spend the rest of your time today?
- Is there anything you need to trust Him with?
- Is there anything you need to accept or let go of?
Bible Verses
Psalm 63:7-8 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
Isaiah 26:3 The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Luke 10:41-42But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Questions: What do you do to let go of stress either during the day or at the end of the day? How do you keep your mind focused on God when life is incredibly busy?
Great scriptures, they are ones I often refer to when under pressure.
I’m a list maker but lately I’ve been learning to let go of the sense of control a lists gives me. I can’t say I’m good at resting in God or that I have let go of my control issues, but I am getting better as I let God transform me.
Phil 4:8 is slowly becoming my go to scripture. When trials come I go through the list in phil 4:8 and try to find what is true about the situation, what is noble, and so on.
Thanks for the scripture, TC. I’ve used that one for when I’m annoyed with someone but never for work before. I’ll be interested to try it – thanks for the idea!
You’re welcome, how’s the app going?
It’s going! Need to come up with a couple of marketing videos and an explanation video plus I need to get the blog posts together for the classes – so it’s still a little overwhelming, but will be nice when all the work is done!
These questions along with the scripture you provide give a terrific way to deliberately focus on God and manage stress. I understand your struggle with this and have wrote about relaxing within many posts and even focused on it in one post a while back called “How to… Just Relax!” Like so many areas of life, we have to intentionally work on this area in small increments to make a large difference over time.
The funny thing is that normally I’m too relaxed – it’s only recently that I’ve seen the other end of the spectrum. Probably because of getting the iPhone app out. It feels a little overwhelming. Anyway, good to struggle with a different type of fault than my normal faults for a change!
Maybe since the pendullum swung to the other extreme you will now settle in a balanced place. Or, perhaps this other extreme will teach you what you need to know in order to find balance.
Or maybe I’ll now have a double set of faults! :)
With all you have in place for self reflection and evaluation, I think you could make some terrific progress at balance .
I am making progress – maybe not terrific progress yet, but progress nonetheless! Although I suppose it’s terrific if I compare it to the ten-year-ago me. :)
Progress is moving forward. Big or not, it’s not backwards. Green and growing or ripe and rotting.
I love this idea of winding down your day with these questions. I think an end-of-day review is so helpful. It helps me decompress in a sense and get ready to “go home.”
How do I keep my mind focused on God when I’m busy? I let my busyness drive me to the cross.
How do you do that (let your busyness drive you to the cross)?
You know, I usually only use these questions when I’m stressed at the end of the day, but I suppose you could use them as an end of the day review – that would be interesting.
Barb, I like to play sports when I’m stressed or not focusing properly. It helps to clear my head and I get exercise and have some fun. Focusing on God is my main focus and what he has for me to do. Great scripture.
That’s a good idea, Lincoln. I always feel better when I get outside – guess I need to force myself out on some walks!
Barb, What a helpful list of questions! Thanks! I internalize stress and anxiety so your questions are a perfect place for me to start. I’m pretty good at “faking” calm . . . I’m even able to convince myself at times. But truly looking at the situation with clear thoughts and the truth of Scripture. Wow! I needed this! Blessings!
Thanks, Deb. The questions really help me as well – I think because they help me accept my own weaknesses and remind me that life is about God and that He doesn’t want me to work and live in a state of frenzy – and the Bible verses help me nestle in with God under the protection of His wings.