In my last post titled 5 Steps to Help You Focus and Finish Strong, I gave you practical help to sharpen you and strengthen your resolve during this stressful season of life. Well, I had to return to that post and remind myself of those truths today, as I was feeling overwhelmed with trying to do all the things.
It’s been extra busy for our household right now because we just moved into a new home. We’re trying to get settled in during the hustle and bustle of Christmas planning, shopping, and ministry, and it’s just been crazy.
If you’ve ever moved a household, you know what I mean. It’s enough to drive someone bonkers! But, just because there’s a valid reason doesn’t make it okay to stress out, lash out, or check out. So I want to share 5 things that keep me sane and can help you in stressful seasons as well.
5 Things That Keep Me Sane in Stressful Seasons
- Prayer
- Podcasts
- Preaching
- Praise music
- People
Prayer is a Stress Reliever
Sometimes when life gets busy or overwhelming, we’re tempted to complain about our circumstances or tell everyone our problems, but God wants us to come to Him in prayer. He desires prayer to be our first instinct instead of our last resort.
Prayer is simply talking to the Lord, our Redeemer, our Strength, and our Best Friend. And when we cast all our cares on him, and seek his help through the holidays or any tough times, He is faithful to be present and provide our every need.
Prayer keeps me sane in stressful seasons because it drives the anxiety out of my heart as I traverse this rocky road of transition.
1 Peter 5:7 KJV – Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Podcasts Help in Stressful Seasons
Reading is one of my favorite things to do. I love getting lost in an exciting story, so I read a lot of fiction, but I also love books on spiritual growth and personal development. But in stressful seasons I don’t always have time to pick up a book and read, so I listen to podcasts while I work around the house. It’s a great way to renew my mind and it makes the mundane tasks more enjoyable!
My top 2 podcasts for spiritual growth are:
- Revive Our Hearts with Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. Nancy has been a spiritual mother to me for years as I listen to her messages almost daily. She is full of wisdom and imparts truth from the scriptures with humility and grace.
- Made For This with Jennie Allen. This is a new favorite of mine because Jennie covers several pertinent topics for women today, and stresses the importance of a biblical mindset. Being sober-minded is something I think every woman should be diligent to pursue, and it’s a blessing to hear other women teaching on it.
Preaching Helps us Prioritize and Get Perspective
In addition to biblical teaching from women to renew my mind, I need sound doctrine from the pulpit to keep me sane in stressful seasons. I get that from my husband’s preaching on Sundays, but I also listen to other trusted pastor’s sermons to hear more solid preaching throughout the week.
Praise the Lord for recording devices and the internet that makes preaching so accessible!
Praise Music Lifts our Spirits and Relieves Stress
If I’m not praying, or listening to a podcast or some preaching, I’m cranking up the praise music. Singing praise lifts our spirits, rejoices our hearts, and glorifies our God in heaven. Praise music helps take the stress off our minds because it reminds us who God is, what he can do, and who we are in him.
I’m listening to mostly Christmas music right now, and I am just loving Zach Williams’ version of Go tell it on the mountain.
Psalm 42:5 KJV – Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
People Can Help in Stressful Seasons
My husband keeps me sane in stressful seasons because he prays for me, but he also makes me rest. He knows my tendency to push myself too hard, so he reminds me that it doesn’t have to all be done right now, to pace myself, and ask for help.
God has also given me some sweet sisters in Christ who have helped clean, unpack, and put things away. One of them even brought us dinner when we moved in so I didn’t have to worry about cooking. What a blessing!
God places people in our lives to help bear our burdens and share life with us. Who is in your sphere that you can trust to confide your cares in? Don’t be afraid to ask someone to step into your stressful season with you.
Galatians 6:2 KJV – Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Those are the 5 things keeping me sane in this stressful season. Do you have any tips to help relieve the stress of busy times of life? Share them with us in the comments below!
Related articles for help in stressful seasons:
Renew Your Mind and Revive Your Heart with ‘It is Written’
Trade that Stressful Schedule for Simplicity in Christ
How to be Sober-Minded in Stressful Times
4 Signs of a Stressed-Out Servant and 4 Steps to Restore Spiritual Serenity
10 Qualities of a Good Steward
3 Ways to Get More Peace in Your Life
7 Steps to Restore Your Spiritual Energy When You Get Weary in Well-Doing
5 Things to Thank God for When You Feel Unthankful
Thanksgiving is over, but that doesn’t mean our mindfulness in giving thanks to God is over. It can be difficult to feel thankful in these uncertain times, especially if our holiday plans don’t work out the way we would like them to. Last month I wrote 5 Things to thank God for when you feel unthankful for the Pray With Confidence website. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors.
Here is an excerpt from my article:
Even if our world falls apart, we always have Jesus to be grateful to God for. Jesus is better than anything we could ever ask for. He is our Savior, Redeemer, Brother, and Friend, who laid down his life for us, so we could be reconciled to God. (2Cor. 5:21)
Jesus, the beloved, and only begotten Son of God, left the glory of heaven, with all the honor and praise of the heavenly host, and humbled Himself to be born as a baby, in this wretched, sin-wrecked world. He relinquished his rights, held his tongue when he was reviled, and endured the shame of the cross for us. (Phil. 2:5-11, Hebrews 12:2, 1Pet. 2:21-24)
Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb, but also the Good Shepherd, the Light of the world, the Bread of life, and the resurrection and the life. Jesus is everything that we need and everything that our souls long for.
If everyone forsakes you, and you feel isolated and alone, remember that Jesus is always with you. He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother, and he loves you fiercely. Call out to him, and find help and hope in Jesus Christ.
A few other links at Pray With Confidence that I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God
15 Bible Verses About Rest When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
You also want to check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs. There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth and keep you sane in stressful seasons!
Resource Library
I created a resource library with FREE tools for spiritual growth here at Daily His Disciple. It includes a 17-page guide to How to Study the Bible. There are scripture lists for topical study and memorization (including 14 Scriptures for a Sober Mind). Simply enter your email address and hit subscribe to get the link to the resource library and the password.
In addition to the resources, you get my blog posts in your email. I only post weekly or bi-weekly so I won’t flood your inbox.
If you are already subscribed to Daily His Disciple, just email me and I will send you the link and password!
I pray you check out all of these resources, and start implementing the 5 things that keep us sane in stressful seasons like this one, so you thrive in the midst of yours as well. Merry Christmas!