Growing Stronger through Change (4)

An old Chinese proverb says, ‘A diamond cannot be polished without friction, and a person can’t be perfected without trials.’ We all want to live stress free without having to work at it, but it can’t be done. So, look at these 15 suggestions.

(1) Take time each day to pray and read God’s Word; it’ll transform your outlook. (2) Do you smile? Do others think of you as ‘happy’? If not you might need a holiday! (3) Do you have healthy habits? Do you need to cut down on softdrink, Facebook and sugar? (4) Eat a healthy, balanced diet. (5) Exercise three to five times a week for 30 minutes; it’s nature’s remedy for stress. (6) Develop better time management habits: ‘use it or lose it’. (7) Make room in your life for fun and relaxation. (8) Get eight hours of sleep when possible. (9) Maintain your sense of humour: ‘A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.’ (Proverbs 17:22 NLT) (10) Start counting your blessings. The Psalmist said, ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.’ (Psalm 103:2 NKJV) (11) When you talk to yourself, say the right things. Your words affect you more than others. (12) Simplify your life by getting rid of clutter. If you haven’t used it for two years, you probably don’t need it. (13) Develop a sense of purpose by seeking God and setting personal goals. (14) Forgive; grudges are too heavy to carry: ‘If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive [you].’ (Matthew 6:15 NLT) (15) Read the last chapter of the Bible —we win!