Do you feel stressed out? Do you have way too much going on in your life? Do you have a habit of over-thinking things or making things more complicated than they need to be?
I’m definitely guilty of this. In fact, my word for this year is SIMPLICITY.
As a result, I’m doing practical things like purging my closets, but I’m also practicing spiritual disciplines like learning contentment and how to be more peaceful instead of stressing out over things.
Stress is one of the factors that has a negative impact on our health and weight.
When we are under constant stress, our body releases a hormone called cortisol. It disrupts almost all your body’s processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Headaches
- Heart disease
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Poor memory
Finding Peace Daily
Much of our stress can be eliminated if we change our expectations for how life should be.
The world says that peace comes when you’ve reached your goals; when you’ve met the perfect man, attained the perfect weight, made the right amount of money, or finally cleaned your house perfectly.
God’s definition of peace is not based on our accomplishments.
God offers you peace in the midst of your circumstances. He doesn’t want you to wait until you get things right before you can have peace or rest—he’s offering it to you right now.
This might be why you struggle to find peace:
- Peace is not found in a good doctor report
- Peace is not found when you’re at your goal weight
- Peace is not found when you have enough money
- Peace is not about life going smoothly
Peace is the knowledge of the fact that Christ is with you at the doctor’s office; when you step on the scale; when life is not going smoothly, and when you’re low on funds.
You need to understand that God does not offer you a life of luxurious ease. He offers you a shared burden (yoke) with the brunt of the effort falling on Jesus’ shoulders. You’re still doing the work, but Jesus is doing the heavy lifting. That is what true peace means.
Jesus says:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28
Starting today, you can decrease your stress levels and find peace in the midst of your storms by knowing and trusting that God is with you—walking with you in the hard times.
You’ve already tried your own methods and they did not work, so why not try another way?
What burdens are you facing right now? Take a deep breath and trust him.
Are you worried that you will never lose the excess weight? Trust God and call to Him whenever you’re feeling like you can’t do it.
The battle is the Lord’s. Are you willing to worry less and trust God more?
If you want to learn practical and biblical health and life principles, be sure to check out our video course program at Cathymorenzie.com
10 Comments
I loved the 21 day challenge. I knew God was in it with me. I was loving it. When the 21 days were over I returned to my old ways…the weight released is slowly creeping back. I can do all things with Him…I need Him.
The enemy is always waiting to pounce Toni, we can’t give him a foothold. Are you taking the next course after the challenge? You need to go deeper and get to the root of why you keep going around the same mountain over and over. http://www.cathymorenzie.com/haven
I have been overweight my entire life. I have always stressed out about everything. I am on day12 of the challenge and with God’s help I am standing strong. I pray for Jesus to continue to take my burdens. I know there are things to do but I am trying more each day to give Him the burden and to trust that He has it under control. I have been visualizing the oxen yoked together then see me yoked to God, following as he teaches and leads me.I am increasing my prayer time and exercise. I plan to increase my Bible study as I continue on this journey. Thank you Cathy for stirring my spirit.
I am practicing truly giving things to God. My weight loss journey. Finishing my degree. Finding a new job. My husband finding a new job. Raising our child right. Paying these bills. Today’s blog post reminds me to be content in whatever state I am in and to press forward WITH CHRIST to become more like Christ. The things that I desire are the things I believe line up with God’s will for my life, and because of that I must remember that through right praying, right thinking, and right actions, He will help me to achieve what is in His will. In Jesus’ name!
As I read this, i feel the Lord gently tugging on me and saying “come on. Let me show you”.
Yes Kate, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30
Today’s message really hit home for me because I am stressed out, overwhelmed and doubtful that I will ever lose the weight I have. Will I ever feel peaceful, ever feel joy again? and despite how much I stay in prayer and I tell myself I’m trusting and believing in God; I still find myself not happy and trying to do so many things. This is my prayer : Heavenly father help me, help me help me, to turn over all my burdens to you to , to trust you more, to believe in your commitment to helping me to see your plan and your will for this weight loss journey. Guide me however my father to make the right choices to live for you and I live for the world. We move anything there is unpleasant on you help me to decrease so that you increase in my life. Thank you heavenly father for alarm me to come to you with my concerns I love you and appreciate you and I know we’re just friends I am here and I can do all things in your son’s name, Jesus Christ, Amen ??
Beautiful prayer, Shirleyann. Here is a song that has really helped me: I will trust in you by Lauren Daigle.
https://youtu.be/vXMPNXXnCls
I’ve been an emotional, stress eater my entire life. I tried each new diet that came along, sometimes being successful and maintaining a good weight for a while. But never really feeling good about myself and thinking I would eventually gain it all back. With the 21-day Challenge I learned how to begin changing my former way of thinking and how to turn my weight issues over to God. Letting God be in control was what brought me success in the program. I am now in the Break Through phase and continuing to learn more about my food issues, and feeling much better about myself and continued success.
Glad you are continuing the journey Cheryl to become all that God wants you to be and have the abundant life He promised.
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