I Will Conquer Pt.2: Calming Down in the Clutch
2 Corinthians 1:1-10
INTRODUCTION
Stress is a pervasive aspect of human existence, impacting individuals’ physical, emotional, and behavioral levels. To effectively address stress it’s crucial to comprehend its origins and consequences while also considering preventative and management strategies.
Being successful in the clutch moments of life is the recognition that this is a clutch moment. People who successfully navigate very difficult situations have developed an intuition to be alert and pay attention to the moments that are attempting to distract them from the main thing that’s on the line. This is the moment that’s putting you in the decisive perpetual state of fight, flight, or freeze. Game On!
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I. A BIBLICAL PICTURE OF STRESS FREE LIVING
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Matthew 6:25-33 …do not worry about your life… Look at the birds of the air… why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field… if God so clothes the grass of the field… will He not much more clothe you… but seek first the kingdom of God… do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
II. DEFINING STRESS
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Stress Defined: A natural human response to mental tension or worry caused by difficult situations. It can be a feeling of emotional or physical tension that can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress can cause feelings of anxiety, fearfulness, nervousness, helplessness, frustration, or unease. Stress that is prolonged, severe, or chronic, can cause significant problems with physical health and mental health. Such stress that itself creates additional challenges for a person’s functioning is toxic stress.
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John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him, we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
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Mental and emotional fatigue
Drug and alcohol dependency
Loss of appetite
Physical weariness
High blood pressure
Frequent headaches
Stomach problems
Heart problems
Migraines
Ulcers
Insomnia
Hypertension
III. COMMON CAUSES OF STRESS
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The tempo of life
The strain of demands and responsibilities
A failure to seek adequate rest and relaxation
A poor use of time
A poor diet
Vitamin deficiencies
Wrong priorities
A tendency to overextend ourselves
Lack of exercise
Insufficient communion with God
Unresolved inter-personal Conflicts
Emotional problems
Procrastination
Unresolved sins and strongholds
Spiritual conflicts
IV. HOW TO JOIN THE CORONARY CLUB: MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
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Never say No to a request
Your job comes first
Go to the office evenings, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Golf, bowling, and hobbies are a waste of time.
It is a poor policy to take all the vacation time
Do not eat a restful and relaxing meal
Work all-day
Take the laptop home on the evenings
V. PRINCIPLES FOR STRESS-FREE LIVING.
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Psalms 66:12 …We went through fire and water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
1. WE MUST SEE THINGS FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE.
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Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
2. DEAL WITH UNRESOLVED SINS & CONFLICTS.
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Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, “leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
3. WE MUST REDEEM OUR TIME
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Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Eliminate hurry
- Downsize expectations.
- Be merciful.
- Admit mistakes and imperfections.
- Get right with God.
- Laugh More
- Experience God
- Take care of yourself
4. GIVE EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER
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Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
5. TRUST IN GOD’S WORD
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Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
6. FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER
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Romans 15:32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
2 Corinthians 7:13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
7. REMEMBER THE 4 A’s of STRESS MANAGEMENT
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Avoid / Alter / Accept / Adapt