Resources for July 12 sermon

Sunday we dealt with managing stress and change. I was encouraged by the amount of discussion that perhaps this was a needed break from our regular Sunday routine. I wanted to give you the resources for your own use from Sunday.

Life Stress Questionnaire, used in the message on Sunday:
http://www.themetabolic-institute.com/secure/pdf/life%20Stress%20Questionnaire.pdf


Stress Management survey (now this is specifically for college students but can easily be used by anyone):
http://www.oakton.edu/learn/stressvy.htm


Serenity Prayer: by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

The scriptures we looked at:
* Romans 8:18-27
* Philippians 4:10-14, 19
* James 1:2-4

Healthy ways to deal with stress/change:
1) Read your Bible, find a mantra. Mine is Psalm 42, find one that works for you or just read through Psalms. We can find comfort in knowing that we are not alone and reading the stories of those who came before us.
2) Recognize the aggravating aspects of your life: change the things you can change and accept the things you cannot.
3) Identify your level of stress, be self-aware. That is the first step to getting healthy.
4) Identify your emotional needs: be willing to meet those needs. Find friends that are willing to help and be willing to ask for help when you need it.
5) If you cannot get out of a winter season, be willing to look elsewhere for help. Your Pastors are always willing to listen and if you need more than that counselors (both Christian and non-Christian) are all around. Please let me know if you need help finding a counselor.
6) Pray - pray even when your heart isn't into it. Cry out to God, be open and honest, God can take it.

I want to reiterate this, get help when you need help. There is no shame in needing help, life is hard, we all go through rough times. I have been in counseling several times in my life and those persons have given me the tools to get up and keep going. Know that you are loved by myself and by God, you are not alone. Also, remember to pray for the persons in your group this week.


~Pastor Shannon