Living a Stress-free Life

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Living a Stress-free Life
Philippians 4:4-8

Introduction: This week I have been asking myself the question, ˇ§What is the main problem of people today?ˇ¨ As we visit with some members and prospects, guess what the problems they encounter are:
- No money
- Money is lacking for the month
- Too much work loadˇKtoo little time
- Deadlines
- Debt
- Family Problems
- Marital Problems

ALL IN ALL, we can sum up all of these into one word: STRESS

What is stress?
- Pressures
- Strain
- Anxieties
- Constant worries
- Nervous tensions

Illustration: Symptoms of ˇ§stress overloadˇ¨

1. Decision-making becomes difficult (both major and minor kinds).
2. Excessive daydreaming or fantasizing about "getting away from it all."
3. Increased use of cigarettes and/or alcohol.
4. Increased use of tranquilizers and "uppers."
5. Thoughts trail off while speaking or writing.
6. Excessive worrying about all things.
7. Sudden outbursts of temper and hostility.
8. Paranoid ideas and mistrust of friends and family.
9. Forgetfulness for appointments, deadlines, dates.
10. Frequent spells of brooding and feeling of inadequacy.
11. Reversals in usual behavior.

DO YOU WANT TO LIVE A STRESS-FREE LIFE? Read: Philippians 4:4-8

Background: Paul wrote the Epistle to the Philippians while in prison. The most stressful time in the life of the Apostle Paul was when he was in prison. You can just imagine how he feels knowing that his time is almost up. But, reading the whole epistle to the Philippians, I have noticed that he has used the words ˇ§rejoiceˇ¨ and ˇ§peaceˇ¨ many times. How did Paul manage to live a ˇ§stress-freeˇ¨ life even in his most distressful situation?

I would like to share with you another look at Philippians 4ˇK






3 Steps to a Stress-Free Life based on Philippians 4:

I. Choose to be happy (v.4-5)

Everything in this world is about choices:
- The alarm rings in the morning and you have to choose whether to go back to sleep or wake up
- You go to your kitchen and you have to choose what you want to eat for breakfast
- You take a bath and then you have to choose what to wear in the morning

Everyday of our lives is made up of choices:
- Some of us have to choose between getting married or not
- Some has to choose between getting married now or later
- TODAY, you chose to come and worship God! Amen!
- BUT some people just continues to choose to ignore God and their duty of worship
Hebrews 10:25 ˇ§Not forsaking the assembling (fellowship) together, as is the habit of someˇKˇ¨

Illustration:
Father: ˇ§Son, can you please buy me a soft drinkˇ¨
Son: ˇ§Coke or Pepsi?ˇ¨
Father: ˇ§Cokeˇ¨
Son: ˇ§Litro or 8oz?ˇ¨
Father: ˇ§8ozˇ¨
Son: ˇ§Diet or regular?ˇ¨
Father: (now angry) ˇ§Regular!!ˇ¨
Son: ˇ§OKˇKcold or not cold?ˇ¨
Father: ˇ§Why donˇ¦t you just give me a glass of water!!ˇ¨
Son: ˇ§Tap water or Mineral Water?ˇ¨
Father: ˇ§Ggrrrr!!ˇ¨

WE ALL HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICEˇKand in this stressful world we can make a choice to either be ˇ§Stressed BUT happyˇ¨ or ˇ§stressed and miserableˇ¨

Paulˇ¦s #1 secret to a Stress-Free life is: CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY IN THE LORD!

v.4 ˇ§Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoiceˇ¨

- It takes a willful decision to sing and make melody in our hearts to be happy in the Lord.
- Whether you are feeling depressed,... next page »