Tag: Stress

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3 Reasons to Be Spontaneous

“We live busy lives with packed schedules, and sometimes we can feel like slaves to the many, many things that demand our time and attention. That’s why from time to time, we all need a little spontaneity.

Here are 3 reasons spontaneity is good for you:

1. Spontaneity makes us more creative. And creativity isn’t just for artists and writers, it is for mothers and fathers, friends and lovers, employees and leaders.

2. Spontaneity is the antidote for stress. Lots of our stress comes from holding onto the same thing for too long. That thing might be a project, it might be a toxic thought, it might be a depleting routine. Spontaneity allows us to let go, and as we do our stress drains away.

3. Spontaneity teaches us to be flexible. Being overly rigid prevents us from being present to the moment, leads to unnecessary conflict in relationships, and leads us to value process over substance, thus missing out on what matters most. Spontaneity is proof that you are capable of being flexible.

Spontaneity is an amazing thing.

When was the last time you did something truly spontaneous? Has it been too long? Do something wonderfully spontaneous this weekend. Do it with someone you love, or do it on your own. But do it. It will refresh your soul.

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Dynamic Catholic – 1st Sunday of Advent – Get Right to the Core

Get Right To The Core

What do you think is the most important thing you can do this Advent? Could it be searching for unique gifts, concocting the perfect eggnog, or decorating the most festive tree?

TODAY’S GOSPEL IS LUKE 21:25-28 & 34-36

While these activities certainly help make the season bright, the best thing you can do is to become a better-version-of-yourself. In a culture that makes Advent the most chaotic time of the year, it’s up to you to decide to walk away from the stress of the season and focus on what matters most.

Who would you become by December 25th if your first priority was to look for ways to humbly serve? Join Allen as he explores this question and shares a memory of how service not only helped him love others more deeply, but changed who he was at the core.

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Seeking God in Suffering – No Fear Here

No Fear Here

DAY 18 | Psalm 23

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. —Psalm 23:4

When I help young people pre­pare to profess their faith, I try to instill in them the importance of learning Scripture. For example, we have them memorize Psalm 23 because we want it stored deep in their souls for times of trouble.

Everyone will eventually experience a dark valley in which they will especially sense the need for Jesus, the good shepherd. This psalm speaks of the shepherd who leads us to comfortable places, refreshes our souls, and lavishes us with love and blessings. And when we face times of suffering caused by disappointments or devastating blows, our protector comes to help and comfort us.

Our friend Sid had a massive heart attack recently after running with his granddaughter. A security guard revived his dormant heart with CPR. For weeks, Sid was in an induced coma on the brink of death, but by the grace of God and two heart surgeries, he recovered. Sid’s testimony is that reciting Psalm 23 in the midst of pain and sleeplessness brought healing to his soul.

When we enter the darkest valleys amid serious illness, stress, loss, worry, and other struggles, we can find much comfort in the prayer of Psalm 23. We have the blessed assurance that God is with us and cares for us. We have no need to fear.

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Lord, you know how fear can grip us when we face the shadows and dark valleys of life. Assure us of your presence that leads us and protects us when we can’t see an escape route. Amen.

//Reframe Ministries//

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Minute Meditation – No Fear of Joy

“We need to overcome the fear of joy; we need to think of the many times that we are not joyful because we are afraid. In my homeland there is a saying that goes like this: when someone gets burned by boiling milk, he cries when he sees the cow. The disciples, who were burned by the drama of the cross, said: no, let’s stop here! He is in heaven, that’s excellent, he is risen, but may he not come back again because we can’t handle it!” —Pope Francis

On the surface, we might be tempted to scoff at the pope’s claim that we’re afraid of joy. But how often have we become so used to crisis and dread in our lives that we can’t relax and enjoy a moment of peace, a time of no stress? How often do we manufacture a crisis just because we know how to solve a problem or fix something that’s broken? Easter joy takes some getting used to. We love the rigors and the austerities of Lent. We’re not as familiar or comfortable with the joy of Easter. One reason for this is that the kind of joy Jesus brings comes from living fully in the present. We are so much better at looking back to past pain or dreading the uncertainty of the future. Living in the present, the eternal now, requires both gratitude and grace. 

— from the book The Hope of Lent: Daily Reflections from Pope Francis,

by Diane M. Houdek

//Franciscan Media//

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Seeking God in Suffering – The Gift of Peace

The Gift of Peace

DAY 6 |  Philippians 4:4-9

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:7

Can I just have a little peace?

This could be the plea of a family member trying to escape the chaos of home life, a teacher bombarded with active children all day, or a medical patient caught in a whirlwind of tests, scans, appointments, insurance questions, and uncertain results. Stress takes its toll.

When the Bible speaks of “the peace of God” that can guard our hearts and minds, this is much more than the absence of noise or busyness. God’s peace—shalom—gives assurance that all is right in your soul, even if you can’t resolve all the issues affecting you or predict the outcome of anything at this point. God’s peace provides the assurance that God is still in control.

How do we find this peace? The apostle Paul encourages followers of Christ to look above and beyond the problem: to simply pray about everything, thanking God for listening and answering according to his perfect will. We can then set our minds on the blessings around us—whatever is true, right, pure, lovely—and we can let go of our worries.

That may sound too good to be true, like the catch phrase “Let go and let God.” When someone offers superficial sayings to a person who is suffering, it feels like salt in a wound. But God promises to give peace to all who ask. Don’t even try to understand how it works; just pray.
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God of peace, we want your gift of peace. We need your shalom. Grant us deep peace that transcends understanding as we trust in you. Amen.
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