Feeling Overwhelmed?

Is Your Life Out of Balance?

What are you chasing after more? Time with God, money, people, or possessions? When you begin to experience stress, fatigue, and a feeling of being burdened, it’s time to pull back and reevaluate why.

Oftentimes, we take on too much that God has not called us to, and we take on the responsibilities of others; this is called a false sense of responsibility. When we are living in God’s Divine plan, there is peace and order. When we don’t place God first, our lives become unmanageable. We have a sense that we cannot handle all of life’s problems. Let’s face it, life is tough and without spending time with God to hear His voice and direction; we will get burdened.

The enemy has a plan to create as much havoc and chaos is our lives, and keep us distracted.

Just because something seems good, does not mean it is good for us. We are not to copy what others are doing either. So many times, people get frustrated and overwhelmed because they are trying to mimic what someone else is doing.

You are not meant to do everything and be everything to everybody, this can lead to people-pleasing. If you please man more and not God, you are going to be weighed down.

God has specific tasks for each one of us, but you will not know what those are unless you spend time with God. Our busyness, is not Godly or Holy, but a tactic of the enemy to wear us out. Don’t try and follow what the crowd does, but know what your unique plan is from God.

Other people will not like it when you tell them, “No,” be prepared for this. You must know what YOU are supposed to do. Stop looking around at everyone else for direction. God has not called you to be a copycat. You will find that others will want you to do what they are doing, but you must step away from the desire to please man.

To get your life back in order and free from the pressures and demands of people and life, pull away and be with God alone, especially when you are exhausted. Being tired and overworked is not God’s plan for you. It does not matter what other’s expect from you, but what God desires for you.

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-30

Some questions to reflect on:

1.      What do you need to cut back on or cut out of your life to be free from over-responsibility?

2.      What do you crave and desire most from your life? Are you pursuing God first?

3.      Are you a people-pleaser? How do you know? What can you do differently?

4.       Do you feel overwhelmed, burdened? If yes, why? Do you believe this is God’s plan for you?

Hope in Times of Discouragement

KJV dictionary definition of discouragement is to extinguish the courage of; depress of spirits; to deject; to deprive of confidence or hope; to attempt to repress or prevent; to dissuade from.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines discouragement as a feeling of having lost hope or confidence; something (such as failure or difficulty) that discourages someone.

Discouragement refers to a sense of being overwhelmed, weary, and losing hope over circumstances. Other times, discouragement can overtake us when we have just had a spiritual victory, or making progress in our spiritual walk. In any case, discouragement will cause you to feel hopeless, lose heart, and lose confidence.

Discouragement Synonyms: Hopelessness, despair, dishearten, loss of hope, depression

Discouragement Antonyms: Encouragement, hope, and hopeful confidence.

Discouragement is a weapon to prevent our progress, derail us from moving forward, and prevent our destiny and purposes being fulfilled. Rest assured, if you have been discouraged, the enemy wants to stop something from happening in your life. Usually during this attack, your weaknesses get exposed and the enemy bombards your mind with negative thoughts about yourself. If you listen too long to the enemy’s voice, you will end up feeling hopeless, depressed, and feeling like a failure. You will also lose your confidence to move ahead in what God has planned for you. This is where a lot of Christians are derailed; when discouragement invades them. During discouragement you can experience “old issues” coming up again. You may even think,” Didn’t I deal with that issue before? Or Was I not delivered (healed) from this?” The enemy is a master illusionist, so he can make you think you are truly dealing with old issues again, and you were not healed or delivered.

Signs to look for when Discouragement comes:

1.       Fatigue: Your defenses are lower when you are fatigued, and you may not feel as spiritually strong.

2.       Sickness/Illness: When you are not feeling well it is easy to become discouraged, especially if you have been healed from a certain illness, and it appears like it is coming back, or you are still waiting on healing.

3.       Women’s monthly cycle: Hormones change, and so does your emotions. Women are more prone to being sensitive during this time, and discouragement can easily seep in.

4.       Failure: You perceive that mistake you made has doomed you, or you can never get passed it. You may feel like you can’t do anything right during this time.

5.       Spiritual victory/progress: You have determined to go forward with the things that God has called you to do; you have made progress in your spiritual walk with God. The enemy does not like progress.

6.       When you take your eyes off Jesus: You look to your circumstances, and you start to magnify them, ponder them, analyze them, and try and figure them out.

Steps to overcoming discouragement:

1.       Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to overcome your discouragement. Command, in the name of Jesus that discouragement flee from you if you discern it is a spiritual attack.

2.       Count your blessings daily and out loud.

3.       Be still and know that God will get you through. Keep a good attitude during this time, and watch what you speak. Don’t allow your words to agree with the enemy’s.

4.       Rest, pull back, and take time away from the “crowds.” Renew your time with God and Let His word refresh and restore you. Limit your schedule during this time, and who you are around. Don’t surround yourself when you are discouraged with negative, faith-less, discouraging people.

5.       Praise and worship God. Listen to some praise music to lift your spirits.

6.       Understand discouragement will pass, don’t give into the lies. Do not repeat, dwell or accept the lies of the enemy. Speak what God says not what the enemy is trying to tell you.

7.       During times of discouragement, don’t follow your feelings; wait until the discouragement has passed before making decisions.

Reflect on these scriptures…                                

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their trouble. The Lord is near the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:17-19

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22

But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Everyone will face discouragement at some point, but we don’t have to entertain or accept discouragement. Don’t give into self-pity, and don’t talk down to yourself. Recognize discouragement comes to all at some point, but we must not let the “seed” of discouragement take root.

Are You Emotionally Bankrupt?

Bankrupt means that you lack something. To be emotionally bankrupt means that you have given out to others and need to be refilled back up, or it can refer to going through multiple stressful events and you feel emotionally exhausted. Either situation, you are emotionally bankrupt. Is it wise to continue the pace you are going if you are depleted? No, it is not. It is time to pull back from what is causing this deficit in your life, or if you are surrounded by continual stressors in your life; you still need to find some time to get alone with yourself and God.

If you are empty inside you cannot truly help others, and you could possible hurt yourself or the one you are trying to help. Sometimes, we have to let God pour into our “empty cups,” again. If you are in ministry, have dysfunctional, unhealthy family, or are in a helping profession, there will be times you will need refreshing and time alone with God. It is not only okay to do so, but healthy emotionally, physically, and spiritually. There must be balance in your life to maintain health. If you are pouring out to others all the time, and never take time to get filled back up; all of your energy will be consumed. If you are not hearing from the Lord, you could possibly be operating in your flesh and not the Spirit of God.

What are some signs of being emotionally bankrupt?

1.      Exhaustion, tired more than you feel rested.

2.      Irritable, easily frustrated or provoked.

3.      Easily offended.

4.      Discouraged and possibly depressed.

5.      Anxious and worried.

6.      Forgetful.

7.      Feel physically worn-down, and weakened immune system.

8.      Cannot settle down, mind is racing constantly.

9.      Difficulty sleeping at night or wanting to sleep more.

10.  Lack of peace and joy.

11.  Not interested in activities with others. May even isolate.

What can you do if you are emotionally bankrupt?

1.      Rest when needed.

2.      Refresh with time alone with God.

3.      Read from the book of Psalms in the Bible when you need to recharge.

4.      Refocus on the things of God, not the circumstances.

5.      Reexamine the things in your life that are causing constant stress.

6.      Reach out to someone you can trust and allow them to pray for you.

7.      Reconsider cutting down or back the things that are unhealthy in your life.

8.      Renew your mind. Take every thought captive. Don’t allow your mind to be used as a garbage dump by the enemy during stressful times.

9.      Rejuvenate by taking warm baths to relax tired muscles.

10.  Relax and do something just for you; have fun.

11.  Recharge your body by eating healthy when we you can, staying away from foods that will deplete your energy, drinking green tea (has lots of antioxidants), walking, and taking a multi-vitamin.

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Hebrews 4:9-10

Hope for when you are Discouraged

KJV dictionary definition of discouragement is to extinguish the courage of; depress of spirits; to deject; to deprive of confidence or hope; to attempt to repress or prevent; to dissuade from.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines discouragement as a feeling of having lost hope or confidence; something (such as failure or difficulty) that discourages someone.

Discouragement refers to a sense of being overwhelmed, weary, and losing hope over circumstances. Other times, discouragement can overtake us when we have just had a spiritual victory, or making progress in our spiritual walk. In any case, discouragement will cause you to feel hopeless, lose heart, and lose confidence.

Discouragement Synonyms: Hopelessness, despair, dishearten, loss of hope, depression

Discouragement Antonyms: Encouragement, hope, and hopeful confidence.

Discouragement is a weapon of the weapon to prevent our progress, derail us from moving forward, and prevent our destiny and purposes being fulfilled. Rest assured, if you have been discouraged, the enemy wants to stop something from happening in your life. Usually during this attack, your weaknesses get exposed and the enemy bombards your mind with negative thoughts about yourself. If you listen too long to the enemy’s voice, you will end up feeling hopeless, depressed, and feeling like a failure. You will also lose your confidence to move ahead in what God has planned for you. This is where a lot of Christians are derailed; when discouragement invades them. During discouragement you can experience “old issues” coming up again. You may even think,” Did I not deal with that issue before? Or Was I not delivered (healed) from this?” The enemy is a master illusionist, so he can make you think you are truly dealing with old issues again, and you were not healed or delivered.

Signs to look for when Discouragement comes:

1.       Fatigue: Your defenses are lower when you are fatigued, and you may not feel as spiritually strong.

2.       Sickness/Illness: When you are not feeling well it is easy to become discouraged, especially if you have been healed from a certain illness, and it appears like it is coming back, or you are still waiting on healing.

3.       Women’s monthly cycle: Hormones change, and so does your emotions. Women are more prone to being sensitive during this time, and discouragement can easily seep in.

4.       Failure: You perceive that mistake you made has doomed you, or you can never get passed it. You may feel like you can’t do anything right during this time.

5.       Spiritual victory/progress: You have determined to go forward with the things that God has called you to do; you have made progress in your spiritual walk with God. The enemy does not like progress.

6.       When you take your eyes off Jesus: You look to your circumstances, and you start to magnify them, ponder them, analyze them, and try and figure them out.

Steps to overcoming discouragement:

1.       Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to overcome your discouragement. Command, in the name of Jesus that discouragement flee from you if you discern it is a spiritual attack.

2.       Count your blessings daily and out loud.

3.       Be still and know that God will get you through. Keep a good attitude during this time, and watch what you speak. Don’t allow your words to agree with the enemy’s.

4.       Rest, pull back, and take time away from the “crowds.” Renew your time with God and Let His word refresh and restore you. Limit your schedule during this time, and who you are around. Don’t surround yourself when you are discouraged with negative, faith-less, discouraging people.

5.       Praise and worship God. Listen to some praise music to lift your spirits.

6.       Understand discouragement will pass, don’t give into the lies. Do not repeat, dwell or accept the lies of the enemy. Speak what God says not what the enemy is trying to tell you.

7.       During times of discouragement, don’t follow your feelings; wait until the discouragement has passed before making decisions.

Reflect on these scriptures…                                

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their trouble. The Lord is near the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:17-19

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22

But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Everyone will face discouragement at some point, but we don’t have to entertain or accept discouragement. Don’t give into self-pity, and don’t talk down to yourself. Recognize discouragement comes to all at some point, but we must not let the “seed” of discouragement take root.

Coping With and Managing Stress in Healthy Ways

Between 75-90% of all doctor’s visits are stress-related. Stress comes in a variety of symptoms, ailments, and conditions. Stress can affect you spiritually, physically, and emotionally. There are many things in life to cause us to feel stress and anxious. Chronic stress can complicate matters and can lead to burn-out and Adrenal Fatigue.

 The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines stress as a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.; something that causes strong feelings of worry and anxiety; a physical, chemical factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.

What happens to our bodies under stress:
1. Cortisol mediates various metabolic processes. Cortisol levels can be elevated if we are under physical or psychological stress.
2. Immune system can weaken and you can become more susceptible to colds and flus.
3. Have difficulty falling or staying asleep.
4. Bouts of irritability, anger, and easily frustrated/annoyed.
5. Fatigue and don’t feel like you got a restful night’s sleep.
6. Anxiousness, fear, and low moods (mild depression).
7. Mood swings (hormones out of balance).
8. Feelings of being overwhelmed.
9. Eating too much or too little.
10. General sense of not feeling well (malaise).

 What are we stressed about? Some common stressors in people’s lives:
1. Family
2. Marriage (getting married if you are not married)
3. Children
4. Finances
5. Work, career
6. School
7. Budgeting, paying bills
8. Paying for children’s education, college
9. Health
10. Health of family members
11. Friendships (lack of or not spending enough time with)
12. Death of a loved one
13. Death of a pet
14. Divorce, remarriage
15. Stepfamilies
16. Salvation of loved ones
17. Not sleeping
18. Unresolved childhood issues or unresolved grief issues
19. Single parenting
20. Fear of the unknown, not being in control
21. Addictions with self or family members
22. Infidelity
23. Infertility, miscarriage, abortion
24. Moving, adjustments/transitions
25. New job or retirement
26. Having a baby
27. Debt
28. Family member moving in
29. Family member having emotional/ mental difficulties
30. A goal/dream was not accomplished

 Add up the above stresses for the past year and if you listed 5 or more that occurred this last year, you could have a high level of stress that needs to be dealt with.

 Steps to Coping with Stress and ways to Manage Stress Levels: 
1. Spend daily time in the Word, praying and giving thanksgiving for the things that are good in your life.
2. Attend church regularly and fellowship with the Body of Christ.
3. Write down (5) things to be thankful for EVERYDAY. Keep a Gratitude Journal.
4. Journal, write often. Write the date on each journal entry and how you are feeling, what God is speaking to you, and anything else that would be helpful.
5. Walk or do light exercising. Walking is the best exercise for stress reduction.
6. Take it One Day at a Time. Focus your energy and thoughts on the present day.
7. Do something fun daily! Enjoy your life!
8. Find a hobby such as gardening, bird watching, or painting.
9. Watch comedies often! Laugh! Smile!
10. Take every thought captive into the Obedience of Jesus Christ and renew your mind continually. Watch what you are thinking and talking about.
11. Eat balanced meals consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein. Stay away as much as possible from fried foods, processed foods, sugary snacks, and high-energy drinks.
12. Drink 3 cups of green tea and/or Yerba Mata tea. You can choose to drink 1 8oz. cup of coffee.
13. Switch to Stevia instead of sugar.
14. Limit your time with negative, draining, and toxic people. Watch who your spending your time with.
15. Avoid overreacting to problems as much as possible. Practice praying first, and being still.
16. Listen to relaxation music such as jazz, classical, and soothing sounds.
17. Take bubble baths and light scented candles.
18. Light scented candles and other fragrant scents throughout your home.
19. Don’t take on the burdens and problems of others. You can pray for others always and intercede ONLY when God calls you to.
20. Set limits and boundaries with others. Learn to say, “No.” Do not try and meet the expectations of everyone.
21. Be a God pleaser not a man pleaser.
22. Do not seek the approval of others but what God would have you to do.
23. If you are able to afford a massage or you can have your spouse do for you.
24. Take time off when you can. Rest when you can. You don’t have to be going and doing all the time!
25. Take small vacations or staycations if you cannot afford to leave.
26. Nap when you can and when you need to, its okay!
27. Eat sitting down and eat slowly and enjoy your meals.
28. Do not live in a hurry or rushing around. Let your pace be relaxing.
29. Help when you can help but don’t take on the responsibility of others.
30. Forgive yourself, forgive others.
31. Be gentle with yourself. Stop being so hard on yourself. Let go of perfectionism.
32. Take a multi-vitamin, B-vitamin and look into natural herbal remedies. I do not make any medical disclaimers here but I do recommend for natural alternative treatments to try Native Remedies. You can go onto my website @ www.christianhopecounseling.com  and click on the link to Native Remedies.
 33. If you need further assistance, counseling, or prayer you can contact me @ www.goseplguidance.com/advisors/5311-sreck

Rest your Mind, Body, and Spirit

So many people are in a continually state of unrest. It is important that you take time to rest your mind, body, and spirit. Otherwise, your entire system will be out of balance. When you system gets out of balance you can be susceptible to illness, negative thinking, depression, anxiety and fatigue.

How does one get in a state of unrest? Being constantly geared-up, worried, anxious, and fearful, thinking the worst, and not allowing your mind to just rest. As well as not eating properly, not getting enough exercise and not spending time with God.

 To take a rest in your mind would mean to stop all thoughts that would pose a threat to your state of peace. If you’re constantly thinking about worrisome thoughts your body will react to the stress. If you think negative thoughts and stressful thoughts your body will begin to react.

It is important to balance your system back with prayer, spending time with God, eating right, exercising, letting go and letting God, and giving your mind a rest from anxious, worrisome and fearful thoughts. If your mind is in a continually state of unrest you will eventually feel tired and worn-out and generally not feel well (malaise).  Your body will feel tense, you may have sore muscles, headaches, and possible TMJ.

Get to the “roots” of why you are in a chronic state of unrest. In other words, what are the underlying causes of your stress? What keeps you up at night? It is not God’s will for you to be under stress and unbalance. You might have to slip away from the hectic lifestyle you live or the busyness you are under and come into the presence of Jesus who can unmask why you in a state of unrest. Step away from the cares of this world long enough to hear God and how He wants you to handle your situations. Go to a quiet place and sit before the Lord. Get quiet and balance your emotions. There is a word God will breathe upon you and enlighten you with.

Take care of your body as well, begin to eat balanced nutritious meals as well as light exercising. Walking is a great way to relieve stress and unrest. Take a multi -vitamin as well as a good B-vitamin. This is a holistic approach to your unrest but you have to take care of not only your body but your mind and spirit as well. Balance every area of your life. All of your parts are interconnected, your mind, your body and your spirit. If one area is out of balance you will feel it in the other areas as well. Have you ever noticed when you are physically sick you’re not as spiritually strong? But have you noticed when you are physically, mentally and spiritually strong how good you feel? Always be guarded and aware when one or two areas are out of balance. Realign the ones that need to be rebalanced.

For additional resources from author:

Online Christian Counseling: www.gospelguidance.com/adviors/5311-sreck

Blog on Hope & Encouragement: www.onlinechristiancounselingforwomen.blogspot.com

You Tube Videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=foEcx8uKfKE

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