Yet what if I could give you a definition of stress that might just change your understanding completely?

Before I do, let me warn you: you may not like this! But after REALLY thinking about it, I am sure you will come to the conclusion that there is a HUGE amount of truth in this statement.

Stress is the result of knowing what to do and not doing it Larry Winget.
(From his book: Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life).

Sound reasonable?

Well let’s think about it for a moment.
When you know what to do, but because of fear of the opinions of others, fear of the unknown and any other fear you don’t do it, what happens? You have caused a division in your being.

One part of you KNOWS what to do, the other part of you does not do it because of public pressure, fear of man, laziness, fear of finances etc. You are divided. Of course that will cause stress right?

Here is another thought:
Stress is also often caused by trying to control another person (especially one who won’t be controlled). It can even be because of trying to control a circumstance that is out of your hands. Of course worrying about it is not going to change it right?

So here we have two key words that describe attitudes that I am convinced cause a high percentage of the stress that is in this world today.

What are two of the top causes of stress?

In two simple words: disobedience and control.

Disobedience – ouch! Well if you know what to do and don’t do it, what is that called?

Control – yes all too many folk spend their lives trying to control everything and everyone around them. The cause of this? Insecurity.

So what is the solution to these two causes?
Disobedience - now what would the solution be to that one? Obey right? Just do what you know to do. Don’t allow yourself to be divided. It is your choice AND your responsibility to follow your own conscience – not someone else’s!

Control - the solution? Release! Let those around you live their lives and this will give YOU more time and space to live yours. Sound reasonable? Of course.

Can you control circumstances? Not all of them. Where a circumstance is the result of YOUR choices, yes of course you may be able to change that one.

If it has gone too far, you have learned a lesson and are in a good position to prevent future occurrences right? How?

By your words and your actions.

Live free of stress:
Conquer fear (that stops you from doing what you know to do).
Release others to live their lives, while you live yours.

May you choose to live a stress free life today!

P.S. I am sure you would enjoy reading some of Larry’s writing as much as I am, so here is one of his ebooks. Take a look right now.

Click on the image to find out more.

As I stopped to watch and listen to the gushing water a thought struck me.
What was this thought?

Water is purified by movement right? I remember watching fast flowing rivers and waterfalls in New Zealand. I also remember my mother often telling me that flowing water purifies itself when we would go out on picnics by the rivers.

BUT: when a river turns into a tributary and the water is trapped, what happens?

It stagnates and finally stinks no?

Let’s compare this to your vision. (I am trusting you DO have a vision right? – If not take a look at these articles about Life Purpose which will help you discover your vision in life).

Is your vision fresh?
If it is not, perhaps it is because something in you has stopped, and your vision is stagnating.

What can you do to reactive your vision?

• Do you have your vision written down? Remember there is an interesting vision in the Bible in Habakkuk 2:2-3 where we are told to write the vision down and make it plain.
• Are you reading the right books, watching the right videos and listening to the right mp3s or CDs? A daily habit of personal development and focus is essential to your dreams and your vision.
• Do you have a plan of action? Perhaps you have long term plans? Do you also have short term plans?
• Have you become discouraged because you see no immediate fruit? Remember a seed takes time to grow into a plant. If the seed is that of a tree it will take even longer, but with the right nurturing, it WILL grow. Meanwhile make sure to “stop and smell the roses” along the way.
• When you begin to cross items off of your plan of action because they are completed, reward yourself! This will encourage you to continue on with your pursuit.

Are you keeping your vision fresh? Is the river of your life flowing, or has it stagnated?

That is powerful right? We could also express this truth by saying:

• Worry is meditating in the bad things that could happen.
• Worry is meditating in the worst possible outcome of a situation.
• Worry is inviting fear into your life.

Why use the word “worry” and not “think”.
Certainly worry does take place in your mind. But worry does not stop at one thought. When you worry your mind is set to automatic replay right? You rehearse the situation and all of the possible negative outcomes over and over again in your mind.

I am sure that you have been through many difficult situations in life and perhaps gone through sleepless nights because of them. I know I have.

There was a time in Mexico when a coworker turned against me and even tried to twist a situation and sue me.

One of my circle of counselors, instead of building up my faith for some reason spent his time telling the worst that could happen. This was not his normal strategy, so it was obvious the enemy was at work. He had me visualizing a situation so absurd it is now laughable. (No it was NOT his fault, I accepted what he was saying and allowed myself to visualize it).

I could visualize the authorities coming down the steps of the land where my rented bungalow was to get me. I had actually done nothing wrong, and this would never have happened, BUT I still lost sleep over it.

Why? Because I believed in the worst and let my mind go over and over the possibility until it was so real it almost happened. Not in reality, but in my reality at the time.

Do you see how real negative influences can be in our lives. Yet how destructive? God is good and despite my fear that the time there was a positive outcome.

Believe me, when you face a difficult situation, once you entertain a negative thought or idea you set yourself up for replays. Once you allow your mind to replay negative thoughts and ideas, fear enters and your creativity to find solutions is paralyzed. Of course there is also the danger of the “self fulfilled prophesy”. Your thoughts certainly CAN attract outcomes.

So what is the solution to worry?

• Don’t even allow the first negative thought to stay in your mind.
• Immediately force yourself to think of all of the positive outcomes the situation could have.
• Discipline your mind to meditate on these outcomes. (Remember worry is meditation going the wrong way, so by meditating in the right direction you leave worry behind).
• Visualize the victory in the situation. How will you feel?
• Above all, always be determined to conquer.

Don’t forget a winner’s mindset needs to be built. This means spending time every day to build up your mind by spending time learning from positive books, recordings and videos (Download some free recordings and videos here).

Make this your daily habit and it will be so much easier to always meditate on the good, and so avoid the perils of worry.

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