Peace Part 3

Check out Part 1 of the talk here and Part 2 here.

Resources for Having More Peace, Less Stress

Books: Bible, Interior Freedom by Jacques Philippe, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff For Teens by Richard Carlson, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Common Prayers: Serenity Prayer, Lord’s Prayer, Psalms, Praying in Tongues/in the Spirit

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 7:7-8, Deuteronomy 31:6, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 54:4, Ephesians 6:10-12, Hebrews 11:1, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 40:29-31, Philippians 4: 4-7, Romans 8: 18-19, Exodus 14:14, Matthew 8:13, Romans 8:28

Quotes:  “Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”  - Dr. MLK

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."  Lou Holtz

"There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them." - Ralph Marston

"You can't beat someone who isn't willing to give up! " Babe Ruth

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”

“I don’t pray that you may be delivered from your troubles. Instead, I pray that God will give you the strength and patience to bear them.” - Brother Lawrence

“God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.” Mother Teresa

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela

“Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Oliver Goldsmith

“The more we are afflicted in this world, the greater is our assurance in the next; the more we sorrow in the present, the greater will be our joy in the future.”-- St. Isidore of Seville

From “Consenting to Suffering” by Jacques Philippe {Having looked at self-acceptance, we can now consider the acceptance of events. The basic principle is the same; we cannot change our lives effectively unless we begin by accepting them, welcoming them totally, and so consenting to all the external events that confront us. That isn’t hard in the case of what we perceive as good, pleasing, and positive.  But it is hard when any kind of setback or suffering is involved. In what follows, the things we find negative are generically called “difficulties.” The subject needs to be handled carefully. It is not a matter of becoming passive and learning to endure everything- without reacting. But whatever projects we have and however well we plan them, many times situations that are beyond our control and involve a whole host of events contrary to our expectations, hopes, and desires occur, and we must accept it.  We should not limit ourselves to accepting things grudgingly, but should truly consent to them-not endure them, but in a sense “choose” them (even if in fact we have no choice, and that’s what most annoys us!) Choosing here means making a free act by which we not only resign ourselves but also welcome the situation. That isn’t easy, especially in the case of really painful trials, but it is the right approach, and we should follow as much as possible in faith and hope. If we have enough faith in God to believe him capable of drawing good out of whatever befalls us, he will do so. “As you have believed, so let it be done to you,” he says repeatedly in the Gospel.”}

Now it's your turn! What has helped you have more peace?

Peace Part 2

If you haven't read Part 1, go here.

Peace in Stressful and/or Difficult Times Questions

-What are some practical ways to find peace in stressful times?

PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE- yes, exams are important, but we are not our grades, no one is going to ask you in a year what that Chemistry final exam grade was. Even for getting into college, you are assessed on more than just test scores. “When you stand too close to a mural, you don’t really get it. But as you step back, you see the bigger picture.” Caleb Chapman

GOD’S PLAN- remember that He has a perfect plan figured out for us, we aren’t in control. "God’s grace will never take us where God’s Will will not protect us." Believe that God can draw glory out of any situation and turn it for good

-How do you deal with those times without taking it out on others?

KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS- Know yourself, what sets you off- when you feel that coming on, find a way to remove yourself from the situation. I often need to be alone to process things, explain that to your parents if that is you- that if you need to take some time by yourself to get in control, it will help you continue the conversation etc. in the way you intend

HAVE A FRIEND OR TWO TO GO TO- Sometimes I need to process things outside my family, with someone who may have a more objective outlook. Go to a trusted friend, a small group leader, guidance counselor at school, etc. Someone who you can safely vent to- but then also be productive with- this isn’t “throwing up on your friends.” Sometimes it can be easier to hear something you need to change from someone else as well.

-If it is a stressful time, how come you can have peace about it?

BECAUSE GOD SAID SO- Turn to His word- we can have peace because He’s given it to us for all time. 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Philippians 4:6-8 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-What do you find is the easiest way to de-stress?

PREVENT IT- Take time outside school and work to do things with friends, or by yourself to refuel. Get enough sleep, pray, work out, eat well. Take time to DO NOTHING. Then it won’t seem like such a HUGE deal when some little stressor comes in to your life

Breathing/Prayer/Music/Write-keep a personal running document, journal, etc.- get things out so they don’t stay pent up- read and reread- what were you thinking- what set it off, what were you doing when your life seemed ok? Take the anger out in a healthy way- Working out/sports is a good one, as is putting that negative energy towards something positive, take a drive or a walk to cool down, Jettison technique

Use your resources- it is not a sign of shame or weakness but a sign of strength to ask for help- family, friends, trusted adult- teacher, coach, counselor, youth leader. The strongest people I know are those that have gone through some sort of therapy to learn about themselves

-Do you have any specific prayers you find useful when stressed?

Listening to Christian music/Worship, Praying in the Spirit, "Jesus I trust in You," Serenity Prayer- "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…", Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight while you keep silent.

-I was also asked- what about Peace in long-term times of difficulty? 
It's something I work at- daily. It's definitely getting easier but it's not always easy. I find more peace in suffering/hard times when I accept it instead of trying to ignore it/spend all my energy fighting it away. *I say this in reference to crosses the Lord has given us- it doesn't mean I don't fight, I do- everyday! but by accepting our crosses, and trusting Him (that trust thing again!) it makes it a lot easier to have peace. The passage from Interior Freedom by Jacques Philippe sums it up well. (You'll find it in my next post)

Peace Part 1

This past weekend I was part of a panel talk/discussion on peace. While it was aimed at our joint high school youth group (a larger group from the suburb area and a smaller group from an inner city area), it's relevant for all of us.

Peace is something we need MORE OF in our world!

One youth leader spoke on Peace in Decision Making/Anxiety for the Future, another spoke on Peace in Conflict Resolution. I spoke on Peace in Stressful and Difficult Times. Here are my notes from my portion of the talk. In my next couple of posts I'll include some of my responses to questions as well as some resources/verses/quotes I've complied. Join me in seeking more peace in our lives! Please feel free to comment on your thoughts and ideas for having more peace!

Peace in Difficult or Stressful Times 1/16/11

I don’t think it’s possible in 2011, in this world, to be totally stress-free

However, I know it’s possible to have Peace to combat that stress.

The peace we’re talking about is not the world’s peace when everything is “right” but the peace that transcends all understanding- the peace that can only come from God

Why should we have peace? If not for the benefit of our own lives and that of those around us- family, friends, community, it’s for the world! 

Bringing Christ’s peace wherever we go is one of the strongest witnesses that I know.

Stress is all around us- in relationships with family, friends, in challenges- health, finances, in school, in expectations, in the application process, or try-outs/auditions, in the loss of someone/something important to us, even in the fast-pace busyness of our lives

Satan uses stress and resulting anger, anxiety or depression that often comes from it to separate us from God and others and to tempt us to sin. 

Let me rephrase that: experiencing stress (or anger/anxiety/depression) is not a sin; it’s how we respond to it that could be a sin- such as lashing out in anger at a sibling or parent out of stress. 

*(As a side-note, this is very important for young girls/women in general to hear,-especially those struggling with perfectionism/failure/scrupulosity!) 

I had a lot of anxiety in my life when I was in high school. But it wasn’t until the past few years that I have learned to handle and even prevent it. Stress doesn’t just affect you mentally/emotionally; it affects your body physiologically. It triggers fight or flight, your heart rate and breathing, and other processes that allow your body to function. Having stress built up can be really damaging, and painful- trust me on that.

2 ways that I like to handle stress are  through breathing and prayer. Breathing is a tool that you always have with you and it will calm down your system and allow your brain some clarity. One simple pattern is breath in to count of 5 through your nose and breathe out on a count of 5 through your mouth. You want to breathe into your stomach- like its inflating and deflating to get the best effect. Once I’ve calmed down  a little (flight/flight slowing) I immediately turn to God- it can be a longer, formal prayer like The Lord’s Prayer or Serenity Prayer or something as simple as praying “Jesus, I trust in you” or just “Jesus.” That turning to God in faith shows that you are surrendering in the situation, and claiming God as Lord over your life, not Satan's attack/stress.

I then gave a personal testimony sharing how God has clearly shown me that's it's not really as complicated as we make it- no matter what season of our lives we're in. We are to trust our God by loving Him and seeking His will, and to keep breathing. Trust Him, Breathe. Trust Him, Breathe. We freely have access to the gift of Peace that comes from Him.