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\u201cHOW DO I HANDLE STRESS?\u201d\xa0

Stress stats from the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STRESS:

44% of Americans feel more stressed than they did 5 years ago

1 in 5 Americans experience EXTREME stress (hands shaking, heart palpitations, depression)

60% of all disease and illness is caused by stress.

3 out of 4 doctors visits are for stress related ailments.

Stress increases the risk of heart attack by 25% and a stroke by 50%.

Stress related ailments cost the nation $300 Billion a year in medical bills and lost productivity

What causes our stress?

Money

Time

Relationships

Conflict

I\u2019m married

I\u2019m not married

Job

Deadlines

Parenting

Expectations of others

The next President of the United States

The Indianapolis Colts Coaching staff

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.\xa0In this world you will have trouble.\xa0But take heart! I have overcome\xa0the world. John 16:33 (NIV)

God never promised to TAKE AWAY your trouble, but to give you PEACE IN THE MIDST of your trouble.

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the\xa0Lord\xa0delivers him from them all\u2026 Psalm 34:19 (NIV)

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:5-10 (NIV)

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Selah) Psalm 62:5-10 (NIV)

Surely the lowborn\xa0are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance,\xa0they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:5-10 (NIV)
Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Psalm 62:5-10 (NIV)

1. Time

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered\u2014\xa0how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT)

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.\xa0Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT)

1. Money

But godliness with contentment\xa0is great gain.\xa0For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.\xa0But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.\xa01 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)

Those who want to get rich\xa0fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.\xa01 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)

For the love of money\xa0is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith\xa0and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)

This is what the\xa0Lord\xa0says: \u201cStand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way\xa0is, and walk in it\u2026 Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)\xa0

\xa0\u2026and you will find rest\xa0for your souls\u2026 Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

3 PRACTICAL Principals for navigating through your stress:

1. Live with a sense of PURPOSE and URGENCY.

1. Put FIRST THINGS first.

But seek first his kingdom\xa0and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)\xa0

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)\xa0

Honor the\xa0Lord\xa0with your wealth,\xa0with the first fruits\xa0of all your crops; then your barns will be filled\xa0to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)

1. Keep my HEART SET on HEAVEN.

Therefore we do not lose heart.\xa0Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly\xa0we are being renewed\xa0day by day.\xa0For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.\xa02 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,\xa0since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

Do not let your hearts be troubled.\xa0You believe\xa0in God;\xa0believe also in me. John 14:1-2 (NIV)\xa0

My Father\u2019s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there\xa0to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2 (NIV)

The key to handling our stress is to stop asking God to change OUR SITUATION\u2026 and to start asking Him to change US.