Tag: disciples

by Julia M. Bruce, MSPC, Mental Health Coach,
CEO, Wellspring Christian Ministries

While a spiritual solution is important, there are also mental and physical solutions that can make us proactive in both reducing and managing stress. For example, as we understand how the body’s natural fight-or-flight response system operates, we can better cope with stress. Emotional intelligence allows us to use and manage our emotions in positive and constructive ways. Self-evaluation can help us become aware of when we are feeling tense, on edge, and stressed out. Self-awareness enables us to recognize the impact our emotions and actions have on a situation. Knowing ways that help the body relax and calm down can help lower stress and be more effective for finding solutions to our stressors. Let’s look at these in more detail.

 The Fight or Flight Response System

We typically react to a stressor that is threat in a different way than one that is a challenge. Threats tend to elicit a greater stress response from us and create greater levels of anxiety. Stressors that are perceived as a threat, whether real or imaginary, will initiate our “fight or flight” response system and create a greater sense of anxiety. The purpose of this system is to trigger the release of hormones that will prepare your body to either stay and fight the threat or to run away from it and find safety. It prepares your body to respond to the danger.

In Genesis 3, at the fall of man, Satan deceived Eve and created distrust. Through his wiles and schemes, he seduced Adam and Eve away from trusting God – the most wonderful, loving, giving, caring, sensitive, helpful being who created them. Believe it or not, Satan convinced them that God could not be trusted, and our world has not been the same since. As a result, distrust is born and it is impossible for there to be both distrust and faith at the same time. When distrust creeps in, so does fear anxiety, and depression. We instantly feel as if our personal safety is at risk and the “fight or flight response system kicks in.

The Body’s response to the fight or flight response system

When this happens, your heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, and breathing becomes faster. Your body becomes tense, ready to take immediate action. The increased heart rate and breathing rate gives you energy and oxygen. Your skin will become pale or flushed as blood flow to the surface areas of the body is reduced so that more blood flow is sent to your muscles, brain, legs, and arms. Additionally, your body also increases its ability to clot blood to prevent excess blood loss. Your pupils will dilate so that you can be more aware and observant of your surroundings while also allowing more light into your eyes giving you better vision. As your muscles prepare for action, they will become tense which can result in trembling or shaking.

Your fight or flight response system can be activated by any real or perceived threat. For eustress, this system will help you perform better. For distress, it can help you survive.  When this response becomes severe, it leads to panic attacks. However, once activated, it can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes after the threat is gone for your body to return to its pre-threat state.

Emotional Intelligence

We all know of a time in our lives when we let our emotions get the best of us. They can override our objective mind, make mountains out of molehills, and make the possible impossible. Our emotions can influence our personal lives, our relationships, or careers, our families, friends, and our ministries. When our thought processes and emotions become irrational, they become an obstacle that creates stress.

Emotional intelligence is a term used to refer to the ability one has to identify and manage his or her own emotions, as well as recognizing the emotions of others. It includes a sense of emotional awareness that allows someone to identify and name their own emotions. In other words, they can identify they are angry, sad, depressed, frustrated, happy, ecstatic, etc. However, being able to put a name to emotions isn’t enough. One must also be able to harness these emotions and apply them to tasks such as problem solving.

Finally, emotional intelligence includes managing emotions so that a person can regulate those emotions when necessary for themselves or to have the ability to cheer up or calm down someone else. A person that has a strong emotional intelligence would be better equipped to handle stress because such a person would be able to notice when they are becoming stressed and begin to calm themselves before they react to the stress at an unmanageable level. Additionally, the empathy and social skills of someone with a well-develop emotional intelligence would be more effective in both expressing themselves and avoiding saying something that might create a stressful or hurtful situation.

Self-evaluation

We need to have an understanding that too many challenges, whether they are eustress or distress, can lead to chronic stress, which then leads to burnout. It becomes important for us to self-evaluate and know what our own limitations are and how to create a healthy balance. Boundaries are important and we must learn to set and adhere to boundaries in our time management, relationships, finances, tasks, and every part of life.

While threats can be scary, challenges can be exciting opportunities to prove ourselves. Challenges can be enjoyable to overcome. They can be opportunities to learn just what we can accomplish when we give it our all. But they can also be stressors as we navigate through the challenges.

Self-evaluation helps us recognize what our natural coping skills are and determine whether they are positive or negative coping skills. Any time we complete a self-evaluation, we are looking at the progress, development, and learning that has taken place in a certain situation and deciding what has improved and what areas still need growth.

Our self-talk plays a big role in this. Often, we set ourselves up for failure as soon as stress hits us simply by what we tell ourselves about the stressor.  We can tell ourselves how bad, scary, impossible, and horrible something is, or we can tell ourselves that through the power of God’s help we can overcome. When you are faced with stress what is your typical self-talk? What do you typically tell yourself when faced with stress?

Self-awareness

Self-awareness enables us to understand ourselves and what drives our needs, feelings, and habits. It helps us figure out what is behind our emotions and identify their root cause. Psalm 139:14 says, “I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.” Each one of us is a unique artwork, created by God. Because of that uniqueness we can’t look to how others respond to stress and life. We need to understand how we uniquely respond to it. We can start with asking, “Why do I feel this way?”

Developing self-awareness

Whenever we begin to explore our self-awareness, a good place to start is keeping a journal on what you are trying to learn about yourself. By keeping a journal about the areas that cause you stress you can identify reoccurring stressors in your life and the way you currently deal with them. You can then evaluate if the way you deal with them is healthy or not.

To start your stress journal, write down each time you feel stress and then look for patterns or common themes. Each time you feel stressed, write down what caused the stress or if you are having trouble identifying the stressor, make a guess. You can correct it later if you need to.

Underneath the stressor, write about how you felt physically and emotionally. Then write about how you reacted to the stressor. Note if it was a healthy or unhealthy reaction. Next, write about what you did to make yourself feel better, which is your natural coping strategy. Was this healthy or not, and why? Now, plan for the next time you experience this stressor. Lastly, spend some time in God’s Word and find a Bible verse that you can begin to memorize that relates to the stressor. Write the verse at the end of your journal page and begin memorizing now.

Here is a free template you can model in your journal:

Benefits to Journaling

The benefits to journaling your way to self-awareness include:

• finding new ways or better ways to deal with your stress
• being able to determine if a change in circumstances is needed
• being able to determine if your reaction to the stressor was positive or negative, healthy or unhealthy
• identifying unnecessary stress that you can eliminate from your life.
• discovering appropriate boundaries and personal limitations so you are better prepared to say “no” when necessary
• setting priorities that will help eliminate stress
• discovering and remembering God’s plan that will get you back on track to what He’s called you to do.
• Identifying people that causes us stress

Understanding the flight-or-fight response, emotional intelligence, self-evaluation, and self-awareness is the first step to finding solutions to what stresses us. People, our environment, busy schedules, circumstances, personal differences and priorities bring stress.

­                 .

Do you have an event on the calendar and need a speaker?

We’re offering 30% discount on our speaker fees if booked by October 31, 2021. Call today and use the discount code: FALL2021.

We’re excited to be a part of your ministry and can’t wait to see you – no matter what size your event.

904.239.8937

Help support our ministry:

Our Newest Download! The Path to Sin Worksheet

Satan is constantly trying to trip us up and he doesn’t even play fair because he uses our own desires as bait to get us to sin. James tells us the five steps that lead us down the path to sin in James 1:14-15, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This download helps you identify your desires so that you can better recognize when Satan is baiting you and you can avoid falling into sin. When used along with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to identify the desires that Satan baits you with, you can then ask the Holy Spirit to help you not become a victim to the bait of your desires. Download the worksheet today.

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan

We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.

Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan

With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!

Download our Free Self-Care Wheel

The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.

<<<NEW>>> In the Spreadshop Store:

Here in Florida, it does not feel like fall yet, but September is here and that means we are growing our fall line of t-shirt designs. Check out these two new designs:

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed

Count Your Blessings

Here are some of our other fall designs

The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.

See our Canvase prints in the Teespring Store: All Things New

We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store. These prints make great gifts or for decor in your home.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us and save us from our sin, He takes our old, sinful self and makes us new in Him. This beautiful canvas is a great reminder of what Jesus has done for us.

To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
• Conversation Starters.
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
• Romance Builders.
• Relationship Builders.
• Personal reflections.
• Date ideas.
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

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by Julia M. Bruce, MSPC
CEO, Wellspring Christian Ministries

God will provide a way for what causes you stress

The most important perception to any stress is on a spiritual level. When we look at 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul writes: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.”

Stress management begins with identifying what your stressors are, which you have done in the previous posts and you may have been editing them as you learned more about eustress and distress. Take a moment to review your list and add any new stressors that have come up since then or cross through ones that are no longer in the picture. For stressors that have been solved, write out how God provided for that situation and take times to give Him praise. If you are new to our self-care series, make a list of the things that cause stress in your life.

What will you do with your stressors?

Now that you have a good picture of what your current stressors are, you must choose what you will do with them. You can either choose to gripe, complain, and struggle beneath their weight or we can take a Biblical perspective and allow our stress to become something God can use to grow us and draw us closer to Him. If we want the result of our stress to be something that honors God, our first step to stress management is to remember that no matter what we are going through we can take it to God. He does not want us to live a life full of worry, stress, and anxiety. Philippians 4:6 tells us to make our requests known to God.

Certainly, we want to pray about the things that bring stress and seek God’s best answer to how to deal with the stressor. However, we can also pray that God would give us the wisdom we need to understand ourselves, the stressor we are dealing with, and how to resolve it.

We can ask Him to help us take responsibility for any role that we might have played in contributing to the stress.

We can ask Him to help us know where our limitations are and where we need to bring about a healthy balance in our lives in the areas where we have overextended ourselves.

Also, we can ask Him to help us learn habits that will increase resilience.

We can ask Him to give us courage to say no when we are asked to take on yet another ministry when that ministry is not God’s plan for us.

And we can look for the ways that God is using the stress in our lives as an opportunity for growth that will prepare us for the next mission He has for us.

Seek God’s Wisdom

Because God loves us and He is faithful, God will give us the grace we need to overcome any situation. We need to first seek God and His wisdom. We need to ask for His grace for the situation. Remember that God has already equipped us for the ministry He has called us to, so, we can ask Him to show us the skills and abilities He has given us to handle the situation. We need to ask Him about what He is trying to teach us in the situation. How might He be trying to grow us through it or teach us something new about Himself? We need to ask ourselves how much we trust God to help us overcome, work through, and give us the grace to endure.

As people in ministry, this begins with prayer and seeking God’s will. If something is not His will or part of His plan for our life or the ministry He has called us to, then there needs to be some pruning that takes place and cut out the obligations you’ve committed to that are outside His will and plan. Learn to become comfortable with saying “no” to any activity that does not align with God’s plan. Then you will have more time and energy to focus on His perfect plan for you and the ministry He has called you to.

Stress can have a purpose

Colossians 1:16 says, “For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible, and invisible,…everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him” (MSG). Stress can have a purpose. That thing or person causing you stress has a purpose. That crowd of church members opposing you has a purpose. That financial debt has a purpose. The difficult child has a purpose. That troubled marriage has a purpose. That health crisis has a purpose. What’s the purpose? To bring honor and glory to God. That honor and glory can manifest itself in multiple ways, such as bringing the lost to God, or growing our faith, deepening our relationship with God, teaching us to humbly wait and depend on Him. God can work through all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

When we look at the world, it’s like looking from the sidelines of life. But God is all knowing, all sovereign. There are no surprises for Him. He sees yesterday. He sees today. And He sees tomorrow. God sees the circumstances. He sees what Satan is up to the spiritual realm. He sees and knows what we do not. Therefore, we can know that when we allow God to work through our stress, He can use it to effectively shape us, grow us, and bring Him glory in the process.

Is God trying to get your attention?

At times, we hear God, but we don’t listen and God needs to get our attention. We can sense that maybe this isn’t the direction we need to go, but we think it’s what we want, so we go. God can use the stress we experience when we step out of His plan to get us back on track. The path may not have been a bad path, but it wasn’t His absolute best for us. He can use stress to draw us back to His best plan for us. Therefore, when we are feeling stress we need to stop and ask God if He is trying to get our attention.

Stress caused by misplaced priorities

Some stress in our lives is the result of misplaced priorities and God can use the stress to help us rediscover and align our priorities in a way that honors Him.  God is clear in His Word that He should always be our top priority (Deuteronomy 6:5). If you are married, your second priority should be to your spouse and the third to your children. We definitely need to spend some time with God asking Him if we have our priorities in the right order and if they are in line with what He wants for us. God warned the Israelites in Haggai 1:5-11 to “give careful thought to your ways.” How might God want you to move things around so that your priorities are in line with His?

God can use our stress to draw us closer to Him

Another way that God uses stress, is to draw us closer to Him. When life is great and we are coasting along without any problems, we tend to become independent and self-reliant. Stress causes us to call on God, to seek Him, and find Him. Psalms 18:6 says, “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.” Over and over in the Old Testament we see where the Israelites would stray away from God and then “when they turned to the Lord God of Israel in their distress and sought Him, He was found by them” (2 Chronicles 15:4, HCSB). Stress causes us to seek God and therefore we draw closer to Him.

Stress can be the result of God’s discipline

No one likes to be disciplined, but stress can also be one of the ways that God disciplines us. Hebrews 12:5-7 says, “And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?” (HCSB) So we need to examine if the stress we are experiencing is due to stepping out of God’s will and could He be disciplining us as a result.

God can use our stress to grow our faith and prepare us for His plans

Lastly, God can work through the stress in our life as a way to strengthen our faith and prepare us for what He has planned for us in the near future. In 1 Peter 1:7, we learn that trials are brought into our lives “so that the genuineness of your faith – more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (HCSB) Our faith is like a muscle. The only way a muscle grows is through exercise. As exercises put stress on the muscle, it will grow. Stress is the exercise that helps our faith grow. Therefore, we need to take time to pray and ask God how He might be working through the stress to help our faith grow and how He is preparing us for his perfect plan.

Commissioned and Sent – but not on your own power

Let’s look back at Mark 6 once again where in verse 7 Jesus commissioned the twelve and sent them out. The Bible tells us that Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority and then He sent the out. He didn’t send them out under their own power. He gave them His power. Whatever ministry God has called you to, He has given you His power to successfully complete the mission to which you have been called. But you must choose to tap into the power source and use it.

If the disciples went out afraid that God’s power was only meant for Jesus or were too scared that they would fail, how many lives would have missed out on being changed? What experiences would the disciples have missed out on? What kind of accounting would they have had to give to Jesus when they returned? Just as Jesus did not send the disciples out on an assignment without empowering them for the task, God will not send you out into ministry without giving you the power you need to accomplish His plan.

You’re invited to rest with Jesus

Let’s skip down to verse 30 of Mark 6. The disciples are now returning to Jesus and told Him everything they had done and everything they had taught. Can you imagine the scene? They are so excited, and they are all talking over one another. Thankfully, our sovereign Savior hears every voice as if it was the only one speaking. They are pumped up and have been running on the power that Jesus gave them. In fact, they had been so busy that verse 31 tells us they had not even had time to eat. Can you imagine being that busy? I personally find that there is always time for pizza and Dr. Pepper! Yet, even in their excitement, Jesus knew they were exhausted and hungry. So, Jesus invites them to come away with him for a time of rest.

Did you catch that? Jesus invites them to come away with him for a time of rest. Jesus doesn’t tell them to take a vacation or to go get a nap. He doesn’t send them away and say, “Hey guys, I can tell you’re really tired right now. Why don’t you go home and get some rest then come back when you are refreshed and ready to do more ministry.” No. He tells them to come away with him.

Certainly, there are times when we need to take a vacation and take some time to rest, refresh, and renew ourselves physically and spiritually. But when we do, don’t do it without Jesus. Psalm 62:5-8 says, “Yes, my soul, finds rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your heart to him for God is our refuge.”

ISO: True rest

Do you ever lay down at night and try to sleep, but you simply cannot fall asleep? Your mind spins with whatever is causing you stress. Or you are busy planning out all the task that need to be accomplished tomorrow. Perhaps you make mental checklists of the meetings and appointments you have tomorrow. You spend hours – maybe even all night – in search of true rest. Sometimes the elusive physical rest we need escapes us because we need to first find spiritual rest.

Whatever it is that keeps you awake at night, you will never find true rest apart from Jesus. Only when we get alone with Jesus will we find the place where we can renew our strength. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” We won’t find it fretting and worrying about what stresses us. We won’t find it in frantically trying to solve the problem on our own power. Rest comes when we get alone with God, be still, and bask in His presence. When we find true rest in His presence and trust Him to work out our problems, cares, and concerns for our good, then our minds will relax and we will be able to sleep and find physical rest.

Just when you think there is time for rest – their is more ministry to do

So, the disciples go away with Jesus, looking forward to some much needed rest. Can you imagine, then, as they get to this place of rest that there is a multitude of people there waiting for them? Can you see them each looking around and asking, “I thought He said we’d get away to rest? Yet – here is another multitude of people.”

Because Jesus is God, he already knew the multitude would be there waiting for them. He was not surprised by it. But Jesus promised the disciples a time of rest, renewal, refreshment. So if Jesus knew the multitude would be there and this is where Jesus took his disciples for rest, what was it about the multitude of people that would meet the need the disciples had?

Because of their hunger and exhaustion, the multitude was a very big stressors through the eyes of the disciples. But through the eyes of Jesus, the multitude would meet a need. The multitude had a physical need of hunger. The disciples were hungry also, but they also had a need of spiritual hunger. As Jesus met the physical need of the multitude, he would also meet the spiritual need of his disciples.  And, in doing so, Jesus will teach the disciples yet another lesson that will equip them and prepare them for spreading the gospel once Jesus is no longer with them.

When rest is elusive, all you see is the stress

As the exhausted, hungry disciples look out over the multitude, probably with also some feelings of disappointment that that elusive rest Jesus promised is not quite yet coming, all they see is a problem – the people are hungry and there is nothing they have that could feed them all. They tell Jesus to send them away. Don’t we do that with our stressors? We pray and ask Jesus to remove the stress from our lives. The disciples just walked right up to Jesus and said, “Send them home, Jesus. They are all hungry.” (They were probably also thinking, “And so are we!”) But Jesus had a plan for them and for the multitude.

Jesus tells the disciples, “You feed them.” Can you imagine their stunned faces? As they survey the crowd to see what food was around, all they found was five loaves of bread and two small fish. They inform Jesus of what was available. Jesus tells them to have the people sit in groups of about fifty people each. So, they get the people to sit down. Jesus blesses the food and begins to break it apart. Every single person there had not just something to eat – they ate until they could eat no more and when they were done, they took up twelve baskets of leftovers.

Stress with a spiritual lesson

What was the spiritual lesson for the disciples, and us, to learn? That our “available little bit” is more than enough when it is placed in the hands of Jesus. Like the disciples you have been supernaturally equipped for Your calling. Like those seated on the grassy plain were empty and hungry, when we are stressed out, we are also empty and hungry, spiritually. Just as Jesus fed the multitude of people with five loaves of bread and two fish, along with 12 baskets of leftovers, Jesus stands ready to fill you today, along with leftovers to carry you through to the next battle you face.

When it comes down to it, every single one of us who profess to be a child of God, is in ministry. You have been equipped and called to serve God and to minister to the lost. Every single one of us have an assignment, a battle mission, and there will come a day for when we must give an account for what He has called us to do. Will Jesus say “well done”? The key to avoiding stress, burnout and compassion fatigue is getting alone with Jesus and placing our “little bit” in the palm of his hand and watch the miracle that Jesus will do with it.

­                 .

Do you have an event on the calendar and need a speaker?

We’re offering 30% discount on our speaker fees if booked by October 31, 2021. Call today and use the discount code: FALL2021.

We’re excited to be a part of your ministry and can’t wait to see you – no matter what size your event.

904.239.8937

Help support our ministry:

Our Newest Download! The Path to Sin Worksheet

Satan is constantly trying to trip us up and he doesn’t even play fair because he uses our own desires as bait to get us to sin. James tells us the five steps that lead us down the path to sin in James 1:14-15, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This download helps you identify your desires so that you can better recognize when Satan is baiting you and you can avoid falling into sin. When used along with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to identify the desires that Satan baits you with, you can then ask the Holy Spirit to help you not become a victim to the bait of your desires. Download the worksheet today.

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan

We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.

Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan

With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!

Download our Free Self-Care Wheel

The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.

<<<NEW>>> In the Spreadshop Store:

Here in Florida, it does not feel like fall yet, but September is here and that means we are growing our fall line of t-shirt designs. Check out these two new designs:

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed

Count Your Blessings

Here are some of our other fall designs

The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.

See our Canvase prints in the Teespring Store: All Things New

We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store. These prints make great gifts or for decor in your home.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us and save us from our sin, He takes our old, sinful self and makes us new in Him. This beautiful canvas is a great reminder of what Jesus has done for us.

To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
• Conversation Starters.
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
• Romance Builders.
• Relationship Builders.
• Personal reflections.
• Date ideas.
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

Christianbook Distributors Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher

Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.

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904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 

Follow us on:

by Julia M. Bruce, MSPC
CEO, Wellspring Christian Ministries

“And which of you by being anxious
 can add a single hour to his span of life?”
— Matthew 6:27 (ESV)

Do not be anxious

In Matthew 6:27-33, Jesus tells us not to be anxious. Being anxious is experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It typically comes with a feeling of unease. Anxiety is persistent and excessive. It does not go away, even in the absence of a stressor. Yet stress and anxiety often go hand in hand.

At times, however, not being anxious or stressful is easier to say than do. In verse 27, Jesus points out that being anxious about life will not add one single hour to our life. Neither will being stressed out. In fact, medical science tells us that stress can shorten our life because the impact of stress takes it toil on us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So, in this post we will examine the impact that stress has on us.

Stress affects us differently

Something that is stressful for me, may not necessarily be stressful for you. For example, someone might find it extremely stressful to drive across a bridge, but I do not. I find taking a test of any kind is stressful. Someone else might not be stressed at all by taking tests. Some people might find social settings extremely stressful while others thrive in them.

Timing of events can also play a role in how much an event can cause stress. Something that is stressful for me in this moment, may not be as stressful at a later moment in time when I am more rested or don’t have as many stressors piled up at once. When I am feeling well, I’m more capable of handling stressors and they do not cause as much difficulty as when I am not healthy.

Regardless of how stress affects us, both eustress and distress can serve to motivate us toward change, but they can also have the potential to have a very harmful impact on our health and wellbeing.

Our Stress needs a change of focus

The simple truth is that many times when stress creeps in to the point of becoming distress, we have changed our focus. When stressed out, our focus is on the stressor. We’ve stopped seeking first the kingdom of God. When we put on our Kingdom lenses, we then focus on God and remember that all things work together for our God when we love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

This does not mean we will never experience stress or difficult times, but that we can know that through the difficulty God is at work in our lives for our good. Perhaps He is teaching us something. Maybe He is disciplining us to bring us back into His way. He could be growing our faith or preparing us for the next chapter of ministry. The important thing to remember is to lean into Him, seek Him out and ask Him where He is at work in your life. With our Kingdom lenses on, we are more likely to seek Him first, find our strength to endure the stress through Him, and watch for where He is at work in our lives.

Stress can be a motivator

Since our bodies are not able to distinguish a stressor as something as either distress or eustress, both create very similar symptoms. These symptoms have the potential to motivate us to change habits and move us closer to the plans God has for us if we are able to recognize them and then wisely consider our options.

If we did not ever feel stress, there would be nothing to motivate or compel us to do something different. So, while the symptoms are generally unpleasant, if we are paying attention to the warning signs, we will be able to know when we need to make adjustments in our lives to protect ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually, as well as protecting the ministry that God has called us to. However, if we ignore the symptoms and do not make any adjustments, we take a great risk to our physical, mental, and spiritual health and the ministry God has called us to will suffer.

Symptoms of Stress

People under stress experience mental and physical symptoms, such as irritability, anger, fatigue, muscle pain, digestive troubles, and difficulty sleeping. A list of symptoms of eustress and distress can include the following:

• Headache
• Muscle tension or pain
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Change in sex drive
• Sleep problems
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Lack of motivation or focus
• Dizziness
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Irritability or anger
• Sadness or depression
• Over/Underreacting
• Social withdrawal
• Drug/alcohol/tobacco abuse
• Exercising less
• Spending less time with God
• Panic disorders
• Grinding teeth/clinched jaw
• Increased heart rate
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Digestive Disorders
• Ulcers
• Upset stomach
• Abdominal pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Weight gain/loss/obesity
• Muscle tension/body aches

Spiritual Symptoms of Stress

Stress doesn’t just leave its mark with physical symptoms. It also has spiritual symptoms that include:

• loss of love toward others
• lack of joy
• loss of peace
• impatience
• short tempered/angry outbursts
• a lack of self-control
• disinterest in Bible study and prayer
• loss of enthusiasm for the ministry calling
• the temptation to quit and walk away from God’s calling on one’s life

In other words, when stress moves in, the fruit of the spirit are often pushed out.

Look through the list of physical, mental, and spiritual symptoms and circle the ones that you most often experience when you are stressed. Can you think of any other symptoms you experience that are not listed? If so, write them down in a journal. By acknowledging what our symptoms are, we are better able to recognize when we are in moments of stress and begin to take necessary actions to minimize the effects that stress has on us.

A Rapid Stress Test

To help you determine just how stressed you are, I want to give you a rapid stress test. This is a very serious, scientific test. Please pay close attention. In a moment, I will tell you to scroll to bottom of this post and there you will find a photo of two dolphins. If you see anything except two dolphins, it will give you an idea of your own personal level of stress. After viewing the photo, scroll back to this point in the post. Ready? Take a deep breath in….breathe out and focus on the photo. Scroll now and find the photo of the two dolphins.

What did you see? Ok, so maybe it wasn’t exactly scientific or serious. But the Bible says that “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22, HCSB) so hopefully it helped lower your stress levels.

Understanding Your Stress

So now that you understand eustress and distress, you need to understand your stressors. The more you understand your stressors, the better you will be able to manage them. This means you need to understand how you perceive the stressor.

While it may often seem that there is nothing you can do about the stress in your life, there are strategies to help you work through and cope with stress so that you can have a more balanced life and develop resilience so that you are able to hold up under the pressures and challenges. You may not always be able to stop the stressor from being a part of your life, but you can determine how it will affect you.

The more you understand how to manage stress, the better you will be able to cope with it and find solutions. Over the next few upcoming posts, we will look at spiritual solutions to stress and physical solutions. Be sure to check back with us each day to learn more about stress, stress resiliency, and self-care so that you can faithfully continue serving in the calling and ministry God has given you.

­                 .

Do you have an event on the calendar and need a speaker?

We’re offering 30% discount on our speaker fees if booked by October 31, 2021. Call today and use the discount code: FALL2021.

We’re excited to be a part of your ministry and can’t wait to see you – no matter what size your event.

904.239.8937

Help support our ministry:

Our Newest Download! The Path to Sin Worksheet

Satan is constantly trying to trip us up and he doesn’t even play fair because he uses our own desires as bait to get us to sin. James tells us the five steps that lead us down the path to sin in James 1:14-15, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This download helps you identify your desires so that you can better recognize when Satan is baiting you and you can avoid falling into sin. When used along with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to identify the desires that Satan baits you with, you can then ask the Holy Spirit to help you not become a victim to the bait of your desires. Download the worksheet today.

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan

We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.

Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan

With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!

Download our Free Self-Care Wheel

The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.

<<<NEW>>> In the Spreadshop Store:

Here in Florida, it does not feel like fall yet, but September is here and that means we are growing our fall line of t-shirt designs. Check out these two new designs:

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed

Count Your Blessings

Here are some of our other fall designs

The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.

See our Canvase prints in the Teespring Store: All Things New

We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store. These prints make great gifts or for decor in your home.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us and save us from our sin, He takes our old, sinful self and makes us new in Him. This beautiful canvas is a great reminder of what Jesus has done for us.

To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
• Conversation Starters.
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
• Romance Builders.
• Relationship Builders.
• Personal reflections.
• Date ideas.
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

Christianbook Distributors Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher

Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.

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904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 

Follow us on:

by Julia M. Bruce, MSPC
CEO, Wellspring Christian Ministries

 “Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast,
immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work,
knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:58 (HCSB)

In the previous post, you were asked to make a list of stressors in your life and analyze it. After reviewing your list, would you say that all stress is bad? Using a red pen, circle any of the stressors in your life that would be “bad” stress. Do you have any stressors that you would consider “good”? If you think any of your stressors are “good” draw a green box around them. Often we think of stress in negative terms. However, there is both good and bad stress. Today’s post is going to focus on eustress.

Eustress

Good stress, known as eustress, includes positive forms of stress that can bring about beneficial effects on one’s health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being. It will motivate a person and help them focus their energy so they can persevere and continue working. It’s the kind of stress that helps people meet deadlines and improves their performance.

Typically, we feel like this kind of stressor is something within our perceived coping abilities. It feels exciting and makes life interesting. You probably have experienced eustress if you have ever ridden a roller-coaster. Or think about how you felt on a first date or starting a new job. What did it feel like to get a promotion? Other examples of eustress can include getting married, buying a home, moving, having a child, taking a vacation, holiday seasons, retiring, or learning a new hobby. That little bit of anxiety mixed in with excitement is what eustress feels like.

Truthfully, without events in our lives that bring eustress, life would be pretty boring, routine, and lacking in excitement. Without eustress, it would be very difficult for us to be motivated to accomplish the plans that God has for our lives. Therefore, eustress is a gift from God that gives us what we need to reach goals, overcome hurdles and barriers. It gives us a reason to wake up each morning ready to face the challenges of the day and tackle whatever God has in mind for us.

When Eustress becomes bad stress

Even though eustress can be good for us, keep us motivated, happy, and healthy, too much of any good thing has the potential of becoming a bad thing. Too much eustress can cause overload and then it can turn to bad stress. Our bodies need time between the exciting and fun things in life to rest in a relaxed state. It is important for us to maintain a healthy balance of excitement and rest. Take a moment, write some descriptive words for how you feel in those moments of eustress.

Now imagine if you constantly stayed at that level of emotion every moment of your life. Would you be able to sleep? Would you be able to concentrate on work? Do you think you would be able to meditate on God’s Word? Would you be able to focus on prayer? Would you be able to have a meaningful conversation with a spouse or friend? If you constantly stayed at this heightened state of emotion, you would eventually feel like an overloaded fuse. This is why finding some quiet restful moments is important.

Experiencing Eustress in the shoes of the disciples

For a few moments, place yourself in the shoes of the disciples. Close your eyes and imagine standing next to Jesus as he did all the miracles. In your mind, see him heal the sick, raise the dead, and drive out demons. Watch him as he makes mud with his spit and place it on the eyes of a blind man and now he can see! See him teaching in a home and the roof opens up and a man on a pallet is lowered through the roof because he is lame and can’t get through the crowd to Jesus so he can be healed. Jesus has compassion on him and heals the man. See him restore hearing to the deaf. Visualize skin covered in leprosy instantly become healthy again. Can you see the excitement, awe, and wonder in the faces of the disciples?

The Disciples Eustress when they were commissioned and sent

Now, let’s look at Mark 6 where Jesus commissioned the twelve and sent them out. Now they were not just excited observers. Verses 12-13 tells us, “So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they were driving out many demons, anointing many sick people with olive oil, and healing them.” (HCSB) If you were one of these disciples would you be feeling a little eustress when Jesus sent you out? Maybe excitement that you would get to heal people and do the miracles that Jesus did? But maybe that excitement might be mixed with a little anxiety as you wonder “what if this doesn’t work for me? What if I let Jesus down and I’m not able to heal like He did?”

They had watched and observed the Master, but now it was their turn to make an impact in the name of Christ. If that were you, what would your thoughts be right about now? Take a moment to write those thoughts down.

The Disciples Return

In verse 30-31, we read, “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.’ For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” (HCSB)

Jesus was God and in Psalm 121:4, we find that, “the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.” (HCSB) However, while on earth the Son of God indwelled a human body and that body grew tired (John 4:6), just as we do. And even though the disciples were probably running on tanks full of excitement, he also knew they needed rest. He knew that they needed down time. And so, in verse 32, we find that Jesus and the disciples went away in a boat by themselves to a remote place.

Aaahhh! Can you hear the tired sighs coming from the disciples? Can you hear them thinking, “Finally! Some rest.” Or – maybe not. As we keep reading we see that the crowd saw Jesus and the disciples leaving and they took off running on the land and they actually arrive at the quiet, desolate place meant for rest before them. Jesus, full of compassion stepped onto the shore and began teaching them. As it grew late, the disciples would witness yet another miracle – the feeding of the 5000. After that came Jesus walking on water. Then came more miraculous healings.

Even Jesus needed some “down time”

We find in the Bible that even the Son of God needed to have some “down time.” In both Mark 1:35 and Luke 6:12, we find Jesus retreating to a place to be alone. But what did he do there? He spent time in prayer. If the Son of God needed time alone with God, how much more do we? Yes, we need those moments of eustress to keep life exciting, to keep us motivated, and to help us achieve goals and overcome challenges. But those moments also need to be balanced with leisure and rest. If not, eustress crosses the line of our perceived coping abilities and turns into bad stress.

Do you have an event on the calendar and need a speaker?

We’re offering 30% discount on our speaker fees if booked by October 31, 2021. Call today and use the discount code: FALL2021.

We’re excited to be a part of your ministry and can’t wait to see you – no matter what size your event.

904.239.8937

Help support our ministry:

Our Newest Download! The Path to Sin Worksheet

Satan is constantly trying to trip us up and he doesn’t even play fair because he uses our own desires as bait to get us to sin. James tells us the five steps that lead us down the path to sin in James 1:14-15, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This download helps you identify your desires so that you can better recognize when Satan is baiting you and you can avoid falling into sin. When used along with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to identify the desires that Satan baits you with, you can then ask the Holy Spirit to help you not become a victim to the bait of your desires. Download the worksheet today.

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan

We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.

Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan

With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!

Download our Free Self-Care Wheel

The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.

<<<NEW>>> In the Spreadshop Store:

Chosen Not Forsaken

Ever feel alone or unloved? Remember that you are chosen by God and He will never forsake you. You are who He says you are – a child of God, His own unique creation, treasured, loved, and adored.

Let’s Get Ready for Fall, Ya’ll!

The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.

See our Canvase prints in the Teespring Store: All Things New

We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store. These prints make great gifts or for decor in your home.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us and save us from our sin, He takes our old, sinful self and makes us new in Him. This beautiful canvas is a great reminder of what Jesus has done for us.

To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
• Conversation Starters.
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
• Romance Builders.
• Relationship Builders.
• Personal reflections.
• Date ideas.
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

Christianbook Distributors Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher

Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.

Here’s some of our recent posts.

A New Design Just Dropped in our Spreadshop Store

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904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 

Follow us on: