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RobinJoy Hutchison
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Stress Be Gone
8 stars|10 comments|June 06, 2008|347 reads
 
To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" (Isa 61:2-3 NKJV).

I really really don’t like waiting. You could say it stresses me out.   And I like it even less when I’m on time for an appointment but the person I’m suppose to see is running late.  I experienced this the other day.  There I was tapping my foot and twiddling my thumbs waiting and not very happy about it either.  However, it did give me the opportunity to take a look at some magazines.  One of these magazines had an article on an experiment done and published years ago in the magazine Psychology Today.  

Apparently in 1988 Psychology Today reported on an experiment involving 1700 women under stress.  The women participated in various projects that involved helping other people.  Within 30 days 85% of the women reported that they had been relieved of stress symptoms that included stress related disorders such as headaches, voice loss, depression, and even pain accompanying lupus and multiple sclerosis.  The best way to get beyond our pain is to get outside of it.  I discovered this on my own journey not too long ago through a particular dark time.  Serving others even though you are in great emotional pain can have a remarkable positive effect on your emotional state.

When we refocus our attention on the needs of others, when we ourselves are in turmoil, it allows the burden of our circumstances to be removed from us.  I have found the more I focus on my own problem the more likely I am to become depressed.


I think Isaiah understood something that is still valid today.  If you find yourself depressed because of a circumstance in your life, take Isaiah’s advice… begin to praise the Lord in spite of the circumstances you see.  Then you will see the spirit of “heaviness begin to be lift.  Praise God!

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Doyle Crowe
 Doyle Crowe
June 06, 2008
Good one sister!
Mike n Laura
 Mike n Laura
June 06, 2008
"praise the Lord in spite of the circumstances"

What great advice! That Isaiah sure was one smart man! Similarly spoken by the prophet Habakkuk (how DO you pronounce his name anyway?)....

 17 Though the fig tree does not bud
       and there are no grapes on the vines,
       though the olive crop fails
       and the fields produce no food,
       though there are no sheep in the pen
       and no cattle in the stalls,

 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
       I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Glenn
 Glenn
June 06, 2008
I agree when you take your eyes off of yourself, and focus on Jesus through serving others, He will fill you with joy and
peace
sara burnette
 sara burnette
June 06, 2008

Amen.

RobinJoy Hutchison
 RobinJoy Hutchison
June 06, 2008
Doyle... thanks so much !

Mike N Laura.... wow you're right !! (but I dont know how to pronounce it either lol) :-D

CarrieAnn... Amen and thanks.  Yes me too I completely agree and completely understand. :0)

Glenn... joy and peace, I like that. Thanks !

racunpoodl... Amen and AMEN. Thanks
Cheryl Whit
 Cheryl Whit
June 06, 2008
Amen lady!
RobinJoy Hutchison
 RobinJoy Hutchison
June 06, 2008
Thanks Cheryl... love ya!
Brother Todd
 Brother Todd
June 07, 2008
You are right.  We need to quit thinking about ourselves and focuson the LORD and others.
Deb Rockwell
 Deb Rockwell
June 07, 2008
The problem is that when we are sad or mourning, it is hard to focus on anything but the pain.  I may know what I should be doing, but I don't feel like doing it.
RobinJoy Hutchison
 RobinJoy Hutchison
June 07, 2008
Tammy... thank you so much youre such a good friend :0)

Brother Todd... Amen! and Bless you!

Deb... I know... and completly understand...  I have found there are many things about my Christian  walk I dont alwasy feel.  I think it would be easier to be a Christian to walk the right path whatever if my feelings always followed my head and I have asked God many times to make it so... but it still dosent happen everytime... so I try to find ways to convince myself that what I feel is not always what I should do... this is one of those ways.  It works for me....sometimes.  I'll let others focus on me and if they do ...great, if they dont ... oh well I'll focus on them anyways or I hope to have the strength to.  Deb, I love your blogs and your comments they are full of REAL feelings that all of us feel. Knowing someone else feels the same is also a tremedouse help when emotionally painful things happen.  God bless you and Geace and Peace to you sister!