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

Five tips from Paul to manage stress

Yesterday we looked at stress management tips from some Old Testament Bible characters. Of all the New Testament Bible characters (other than Jesus) Paul probably experienced more stress than any of the other characters and we are going to look have five tips he has to offer us. Yes, many of them were persecuted for the Kingdom of God. However, Paul gives us insight into what he endured. In 2 Corinthian 11:23-33, we find he was:

• imprisoned
• beaten many times, almost to death
• on five occasions he received 39 lashes from the Jews
• three times he was beaten with rods by the Romans
• once he was stoned by his enemies, and survived
• three times he was shipwrecked
• he spent a night and a day in the open sea
• on his journeys he faced dangers from rivers, robbers, his own people, the Gentiles, in the city, in the open country, on the sea, and from false brothers
• labor and hardship
• sleepless nights
• hunger and thirst
• cold and lacking clothing
• daily pressure
• caring for all the church
• the governor Damascus under King Aretas guarded the city with intent to arrest him, so he was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped.

So, if we can learn anything about how to manage stress, Paul is a good person to turn to. Let us see what stress management tips Paul would offer us.

Paul’s Tips #1: Rejoice always and don’t be anxious. Pray about everything, with thanksgiving

We find the first of Paul’s tips in Philippians 4:4-7 where he provides the answer for finding peace in uncontrollable, stressful situations. In these verses, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In every circumstance, we are to rejoice in the Lord always. This keeps our focus on God more than on our circumstance. As we focus on God, we can remember that He is always in control of our uncontrollable circumstance.

So, Paul’s first tips for stress management is to rejoice always and don’t be anxious. Instead, pray about everything, with thanksgiving.

Paul’s Tips #2: Let gentleness be known to everyone

Challenges and stressors can be opportunity for growth mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Take time to ask God what He’s trying to teach you in the challenge. In the verses above, Paul tells us to let “gentleness be known to all men.” Gentleness is defined as “the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.” It is showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. That can be very difficult when someone wrongs us or hurts us. It can be hard to demonstrate gentleness when we are stressed.

Remember the old saying, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar?” We can smooth over hurt relationships with the “honey” of gentleness. When we show care and respect towards others, regardless of how they treat us or what they say about us, we can lessen the amount of stress we feel in the situation.

But Paul also writes that “the Lord is at hand.” He is near to you in every circumstance and He will be there in the stressful ones too.

So, the second of Paul’s tips for stress management is to let gentleness be known to everyone and always remember that God is near.

Paul’s Tips #3: Meditate on the right things

Paul also wants us to know that we can choose to maintain a positive point of view. In Philippians 4:8, Paul wrote: “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” When faced up against a stressor, look for what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, and praiseworthy. If we focus on such things, then our focus will not be on the negative or stressful things in our lives.

So, the third of Paul’s tips is to remember to meditate on the right things.

Paul’s Tips #4: Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving

Another way to reduce and manage stress in uncontrollable situations is to forgive. Anger and bitterness only adds to stress. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” You can free yourself of unnecessary stress by simply choosing to forgive and if God can choose to forgive you, then you can certainly choose to forgive others.

The fourth of Paul’s tips, then, is to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Paul’s Tips #5: Encourage one another and build each other up

At times, it can be helpful to share what you are going through with a trusted spouse, a ministry partner, or your pastor. They may not be able to do anything to relieve the stressful situation you are in, but they can encourage you, pray for you and be a listening ear. God brings people into our lives for a reason. Because God knew your stressful situation would occur long before it did, He placed people in your life for just this moment, to help you and encourage you. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

The fifth of Paul’s tips is remember to encourage one another and build each other up.

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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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