Plan how to be less stressed this holiday season:

1. Take 15-20 minutes and sit down with a pen and paper and

list out all the ways you tend to get stressed during the

holidays. Ask for God’s wisdom before you start to be

honest and not get stressed out by writing out all the ways

you get stressed out.

2. Next, identify where the major stressors are that are leading

to all that stress. Invite God into this part of the process and

ask how important the stressor is. Write a 1 by the most

stressful experiences, a 2 by moderate stressful

experiences, and a 3 by the least stressful experiences. If

they are all a 1, that’s okay.

3. Last, for each stressor, pray for wisdom and then ask

yourself this question: “How could I creatively and

assertively manage this stressor in such a way that it

doesn’t turn into stress in the first place?”

1. Stay focused on where God is leading you.

- 1 Corinthians 4:20

- Luke 9:23

- Galatians 2:20

2. Thoughts (Recognize how your thought life affects your progress toward Christ likeness)

- Romans 12:2

- Romans 8:12-13

- Colossians 3:1-4

3. Actions (Bible, Prayer and Community)

- Lectio Divina (click here)

- Morning Affirmations by Kenneth (click here)

- Psalm 23

- Hosea 14

Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

- Invite God into the interaction

- Ask God for His wisdom

- Ask Him to direct you in your heart language

- Ask Him to walk with you through any valley you are in that makes continuing to get healthy difficult for you

Church

- Meet regularly with other Christians

Where do people stall?

1. The chose their addiction over becoming like Jesus

2. They tell God how He should change them and if He doesn't meet their expectations, they become discouraged and can turn away from Him.

3. They isolate themselves due to fear of exposure or shame after failure.

4. They set unrealistic goals for change.

5. People are hurt by others and walk away from God.

By the love and power of God in your life, you can make it through your addiction to a life like Jesus on the other side.

For more info on Repentance: Episode 16 - Confessing and Repentance (12/03/2020)