EXPRESS IMAGE GLORY MINISTRIES
THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 4, No. 19 – Monday, 20th May, 2019
(Mark.6:31, 2 Sam.21:15-17)
STRESS
How so brilliant any dictionary may in more modern times be in defining the word stress, if that definition is without the inclusion of the fact that stress is a contributor to sudden death, such definition is certainly attractive but lacks merit and value.
The truth is we often underrate the destructive power of stress. The tale was told of that Ghanaian woman in the city whose name I am withholding for reasons of misconstruction and stigmatization. She had taken many shifts without a moment of rest at her place of employment where she worked as a ‘care worker’.
That unfortunate day, her ‘care organisation’ was short-staffed. Yet, this woman opted to take the shift. As soon as she rose up from her seat she suddenly collapsed and was immediately taken up dead. There was no cause attributable to her death other than stress.
From our second text, the Bible informs us that David waxed faint while at the battle front. The obvious questions are: Is a battleground a playground or a place to grow weary when one’s life could be at stake? Was the art of war a new thing to David? Again, was the question of old age which made him wax faint?
None of these question could have their answers in the affirmative. It then draws the conclusion that David could not have waxed faint other than for the reason of stress. Stress of being a king. Stress of managing the kingdom. Stress of attending to countless wives. The stress of Absalom, Amnon, king Saul, etc. Of course, the ultimate concern is perhaps king David never knew how to manage stress.
The Lord understood this. This is the reason he invited His followers to get into a given environment in order to get some rest as enunciated in our first text. The further truth is that embarking on too many activities without rest, without proper diet and without some form of rejuvenation diminishes mental alertness.
Worst still, some people adopt the strategy of taking sleeping pills in order to kill off stress. Such is most dangerous; if you continue to do that you would pass out from your sleep and you may never be revived back to life. Such is the death I call a nonsense self-inflicted death.
Stress is unnatural, it can only be killed off by its opposite that is, natural things. There is a dangerous thing which occurs during moments of stress. At certain stress level, an anti-depressant hormone called cortisol changes and becomes a depressant hormone.
At this point, any disaster can occur. What then is the solution to stress? Watch what doctors do to those who complain about depression. Doctors simply prescribe anti-depressant drugs. Why? The sole reason is to boost certain hormone which will help to counter the hormones responsible for depression.
Two of these anti-depressant hormones include: serotonin and endorphins. Any one who is always in the habit of eating banana is sure to be stress free and live a good life. Why? Because bananas contain tryptophan which is another anti-depressant.
Finally, what is God’s worry should not be human worry. Therefore, reject worry and rather pray. Eat good food and indeed such food that is well-balanced. Develop the habit of often smiling, happy and dandy. As I have noted somewhere, there are no better drugs than good food and good laughter.
My dear brother, you are the admin in your office. You are the same person sorting out the files of hundreds of people. You are also at top gear in the distribution of letters to several clients, not excluding members of staff too. The writing of the report is also done by you. Yet, you are the specialist in micro-waiving people’s food for them.
Hmmm! do you have time to pray in the office? Do you have your tea-break as at when due? Do you go on your lunch break regularly? Have you ever developed the habit of taking 15 minutes’ nap during your lunch break hour?
Ah! no wonder, your brilliant brain is not as sharp as it used to be! No wonder, you are not as handsome as you used to be! You now look like an old grandpa!. Please come of that thing my brother. Learn from the elementary knowledge of division of labour.
Dress happily to your taste and delight; it contributes to reducing stress. Think about sweet things in your heart. Imagine travels and picnics with your future wife and children. Be romantically holy in your thoughts.
Mrs. Stress woman. How is your marriage? Are you still in the habit of doing things the same way since you married? Can’t you develop new ways of romancing your husband. So, you are now old and groggy that you cannot communicate with your husband as you did in courtship days? Please bring reminiscing moments of your courtship back .
Avoid fizzy drinks all the time; they contribute little to you. Avoid fatty foods; embrace vegetables and fruits much more. Learn the habit of sprinkling properly washed fresh vegetables on your plates of rice meal.
Take out time to combine well-iced malt drinks with milk for an afternoon drink. Combine the liquid of well-squeezed ugu vegetables with milk and malt drink. They provide into your system such fresher red blood than any drug can.
IN THE END, “UNSTRESS” YOUR STRESS BY BEING HAPPY IRRESPECTIVE OF THE STORM. YOUR THOUGHT IS THE ANSWER AND THE PILLAR TO THIS SUCCESS. LET GOD AND LET GO OF THINGS YOU CANNOT HANDLE.
Question and Answer Section:
Question: What are the things or the people that stress you out? How can you intelligently deal with them?
Answer:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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ALTAR CALL:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
HYMN: Murmur Not
PRAY NOW:
1. O God, take over my worries.
2. The issues that get me worried, I say bye bye to you today.
3. O God, give me a heart that can relax in you.
4. Pray (the entire church) for the unmarried and troubled Christian homes.
