STRESSED OUT!

Apparently, I am majorly stressed out. Yesterday, at the dentist it finally came full circle. I have been grinding my teeth so much that they are becoming very sensitive along the gum line. $600 later and a new bite guard on the way; maybe I will be feeling some relief. My blood pressure has been elevated; and I have been having a lot of headaches too. So, I decided this morning to figure out what I need to do about it.

First, thing I will do that I read about is start putting my tongue between my teeth during the day to avoid clenching my teeth. I will do that right now.

Secondly,I need to figure out why I am so stressed. I have been going over that and there are few things on my list. Here are some things that I have put on my list: 7 month old baby, increased responsibility at church, 7 month old baby, financial issues, 7 month old baby, house in constant need of work, 7 month old baby. I think you get the idea. I took this stress test. I thought I was a little stressed until I saw the little bar go up and up and up until it was bright red. Okay, I need to accept it. Dr. Phil always says, "You can't change what you don't acknowledge"! I am acknowledging!

So, now what? Well, I also looked up what I can do to relieve this stress. I can't change it, so I need to better process it. Back to the internet again, here are some things I found on WebMD...

• Learn better ways to manage your time. You may get more done with less stress if you make a schedule. ( I hate living by a schedule)



• Find better ways to cope. Look at how you have been dealing with stress. Be honest about what works and what does not.



• Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest (will do now) Eat well (I have been doing really bad at that)



• Try out new ways of thinking. Learn to say no!



• Speak up! Not being able to talk about your needs and concerns creates stress.



• Ask for help. (I am learning this one)

I also found there...

• Exercise



• Write (Hey, yay I am doing that right now)



• Let your feelings out.



• Do something you enjoy



• Learn ways to relax you body: breathing exercises,massage, yoga, aromatherapy



• Focus on the present. meditate

Okay, right there is a lot of stuff I can work on today. But what does God say about my stress?

I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him; for he cares for you.

God is the one who is caring for me. I need to stop striving to care for others and myself. I need to give Him all my worries, all my anxieties, all my fears. I need to "Let GO" I need to let God do what He wants to do for me and that is care for me and my family. Here is what God say about me trying to control things on my own...

Matthew 6:25-27

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Lastly, God is calling me to seek Him with my issues, and they are many. But thanks be to God who is bigger than anything.

Philippians 4:6-8

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God,

(Oooohhhh I love the next part)

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Just as peacefully as my son sleeps and knows he is cared for)

(It just gets better from here and here is what I will do today!)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things!

And with that friends we will absolutely, honest truly, 100% ...

GET JOY!

All the pictures (except the mouth guard & the birds nest '08) I took today! I decided to enjoy a hobby, taking pictures!