Stress in Turbulent Times
Open the paper today and what do you see? Page after page of arrows pointing ‘down’. The word ‘Bailout’ is every day terminology. Announcements of cutbacks, layoffs of THOUSANDS of people and stock /share market exchanges dropping in ‘free-fall’ mode. Story after story of doom and gloom. So how are YOUR stress levels these days and what are you doing about them?
If you are a regular reader, you already know the nature of stress: “Our body’s physical reaction to any demand placed upon it.” Stress is how we COPE with bad news and events in our lives. So the exact question is, how is your BODY coping with the environment around you?
Hopefully you are not stressed out. My bride and I lost quite a bit in our retirement portfolio and I was very stressed at first. Then I took a deep breath and reminded myself, it’s not my money anyway, it ALL is God’s money. I certainly will not take it with me after I die. That gave me a lot of solace.
Then I got proactive and started to look for alternative investments and investment plans. Can’t say we have a good plan yet, but the process is freeing. Any time we take action on our problems, our body’s tend to react better.
Finally, I reflected on what I DO have and I realised how wealthy I am. I have my bride, the 2nd best decision of my life. (As a Christian, accepting Christ into my heart and making him Lord of my life is #1.) I have my 3 kids. They are a perpetual source of joy and pride. I have my career… something I LOVE doing. I have been blessed with good business, so I have a sound way to make more money. And my health is great, another blessing from God, so what to worry about?
Now there is a solid peace about loses and a feeling of calm. That is coping with stress. So back to the original question, what are YOUR stress levels like these days and what are YOU doing about it?
God bless you and make it a fantastic day!
SMILE MAKER: Never underestimate the power of a woman!
Husband, “Darling, I don’t think you will ever be able to train that dog.”
Wife, “Don’t be silly dear. Remember how stubborn you were when we first got married?”
Comments from Readers:
Wong Kok Hoong, Derek Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Life is what we made of it. Think positive and act positive. That will ensure our success in this economic times. Good times last as long as our thinking is good. Be a winner God destined us to be.
Cheers,
Derek Wong
http://www.lulu.com/derek6196/
Philip Siow Says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 am
Hi Mike
Thanks again for your encouragement and your sincere and bold testimony about your trust in Christ. WHow did you come to believe and accept Jesus as your Lord ?
Regards
Ahsan M. Khan Says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
There was this interesting story about a professor who began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it & asked the students how much did they think the glass weighed. Then he went on to ask them what would happen if he held the glass up for a few minutes to which all answered nothing. Then he asked what if he held it up like that for an hour. ‘Your arm would begin to ache’ was the answer. Next the professor asked was what would happen if he held it for a day. The students replied that his arm might go numb or be paralyzed or that he might need to go to a hospital. The professor then asked whether the weight of the glass had changed during the time he held it up for a day. The entire class replied “No”. And the good professor inquired what had caused his arm to ache and the muscles to become so stressed. The students were puzzled. “So what should I do now to come out of pain?” asked professor again. “Put the glass down!” said one of the students
“Exactly!” said the professor. Life’s problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK. Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything. It’s important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to ‘PUT THEM DOWN’ at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh &strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!