by Julia M. Bruce, MSPC, Mental Health Coach,
CEO, Wellspring Christian Ministries
A Spiritual Solution – God uses our stress to draw us closer to Him
Today, we are going to continue looking at how we can manage stress through a spiritual solution. So, 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. A spiritual solution to stress recognizes that 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, find Him, and therefore we draw closer to Him.
A Spiritual solution – Stress can be a result of God’s discipline
Stress can also be a way 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 or if we have unconfessed sin and could He be disciplining us as a result. We find a spiritual solution to stress, then, by confessing our sin and coming back into the perimeters of God’s will for our lives.
A Spiritual solution – God can use our stress to grow our faith and prepare us for His plans
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 find a spiritual solution to stress as we 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.
A Spiritual Solution – Recognize your strengths and gifts
Another spiritual solution to stress is to recognize the strengths and gifts God equipped you with to see you through this trial. When God called you to the ministry position to which you serve, He equipped you with every gift you needed to see the job through. Isaiah 40:10 says, “See, the Lord God comes with strength, and His power establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him.” Rest in His strength. Know that he rules over every difficult situation. Look to see how the strengths and gifts He gave you will help you solve the stressor you are dealing with.
In Romans 11:29, we find that God’s gifts are gracious and the calling he has given us is irrevocable. In 2 Timothy 3:17, we find that the man (or woman) of God is completed and equipped for every good work. It is the strengths and gifts God has given you that was completed and equipped you for the ministry assignment He has given you.
A Spiritual Solution – Rely on God when faced with stress
When we manage stress with a spiritual solution, we recognize that it is in the stressful, difficult moments that we learn to totally rely and depend on God. It is these moments that strengthens our faith. Use this time to deepen your faith and love for God. 1 Peter 1:7 says, “These [trials] have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Paul’s Spiritual solution
Paul experienced stress that caused Him to rely on God. In 2 Corinthians 1:8-11, he wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
A Spiritual solution relies on God, not self
As we learn to rely and depend on God, we can also remain steadfast and obedient to Him. 2 Corinthians 2:9 states, “The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.” We can choose to rely on ourselves and walk away from the calling of ministry or we can choose to rely on God and be obedient in everything He has called us to do.
A Spiritual Solution – Chose to respond to stress in a way that honors God
Remember that God created you with the ability to make choices and when stress comes calling, identify the choices you have and make choices that are positive, God-honoring, and healthy. Being able to make those choices begin with making sure we are not conforming ourselves to the world’s expectations, but that we are constantly being transformed by the renewing of mind so that we are able to discern what God says is good and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:2). Choose to honor Him. Colossians 3:17 tell us, “Whatever you do in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” It is very difficult to both stress and give thanks at the same time!
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Coming December 2021!
Pre-order for a 50% discount. You will get the complete set of downloadable self-care video-based course plus 10 group coaching sessions.
Pre-order now to receive a 50% discount! (Releasing December 2021)
You will get the complete downloadable self-care video-based course plus 10 group coaching sessions.
We know that ministry is hard! When you serve in ministry as staff or volunteer, you are on a spiritual battlefield 24/7. As you serve God, you fight for the Kingdom of God and our adversary is constantly attacking. He wants you to either lose your effectiveness in your ministry role or get you to quit. We must be sure we are reconnecting to the Vine (Jesus) so that we can refill, renew, and recharge. Then we can keep on pouring into others.
If you are feeling like you are losing the fight or struggling to stay in the fight, Jesus says to you, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31) Self-care is both Biblical and necessary, if you are going to stay in the fight and be effective in the Kingdom of God. Stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue are real weapons that the adversary uses against us.
Even if you do not serve in ministry, if you are a Christian, you too are in a spiritual battle. Every Christian fights the same adversary and our Biblical self-care principles are for every Christian.
What you get in this self-care course:
In Part 1 of this video-based course, you will learn about the spiritual dangers in ministry, discover if God is testing you or is Satan attacking you, understand that ministry is battlefield and how to be steadfast, immovable on the battlefield, learn how the devil uses his wiles and schemes against us, and remember how to use your Spiritual Armor. We will also breakdown stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
Part 2 is all about Preventing and Recovering from Burnout and Compassion Fatigue as we go through six areas that need self-care. In this part of the course we will provide you with practical ways that you can immediately begin practicing self-care. As you continue to serve God in whatever way He has called you, self-care is vital if you are not going to grow weary in doing good so you can reap at the proper time (Galatians 6:9).
Additionally, this packaged deal will provide 10 group coaching session where we will discuss the weekly assigned videos and do check-ins on where you are in each of the six areas of self-care that include: Spiritual, Sensory, Emotional, Social, Physical, and Intellectual.
Releasing in December 2021, this packaged deal will include the complete video-based course plus 10 group coaching sessions with the author, Julia Bruce. In the 10-week program you will complete weekly videos and assignments and then meet virtually for a group coaching session to help you apply self-care where you need it.
But wait! That’s not all! Check out this Bonus to the self-care course and coaching program.
BONUS: While this course and group coaching is not releasing until December 2021, if you’re purchasing this material, we know you need help now. So, if you purchase before the release date, we’ll place you in our new private Facebook membership page for free through the end of 2021. In January, this group will require a monthly subscription of $19.99. But it will be yours free through the end of year when you purchase the pre-release of the course and group coaching sessions.
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True Story-John 3:16
Three nails that make a cross tells the true story of Jesus’ unfailing love for us and that true story is summed up in John 3:16.
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The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.
John 3:16 
Choose Joy 
Joy of the Lord 
Every Knee Will Bow 
Godfidence 
Prayer Warrior 
Way Maker 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Raise a Hallelujah 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Quit 
Walk by faith 
Battle Isn’t Over 
Just Pray 
Jesus is our Peace 
Fight on my knees 
Giants 
Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God 
Grace wins 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
Print Unstoppable God 
Unstoppable Force 
Run with perseverance 
Steps of a Good Man 
Something New 
Seek and Find 
Revive Us Again 
Resist the Devil 
Beloved- Mr and Mrs 
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan 
Man of God 
He Left 99 for Me 
Cast All Your Cares 
Faith over Fear 
Don’t Worry 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
All Things New 
Anything is possible 
With my song I will praise Him 
Names of God 
All things are possible 
Revive us again, Lord 
Isaiah 41:13 
Jeremiah 29:11 
Be Still 
God’s starting point 
Revive us Again 
As far as the east is from the west 
Three In One
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.
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.
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7 FREE Downloadable Resources
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.
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What Satan Does Not Want You To know
This trifold document includes Scripture verses that Satan does not want you to know about. As you hide these verses in your heart, you’ll be able to defeat the lies of Satan when he tries his wiles and schemes on you.
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Stress Journal
We all face stress. How we handle stress, however, has many variables. Learning how to recognize stress, coping with stress, and creating a self-care plan during times of stress can begin by journaling. Taken from our series on Biblical self-care for people in ministry, we’ve created this free download to help you through the things that cause you stress.
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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.
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The Path to Sin
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.
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One Year 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!
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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 (paid staff or volunteer) and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.
[Download not found]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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God, Love and Marshmallow Wars: This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. 
