Zondervan - Finding Freedom from Worry and Stress

2003 Thomas Nelson.

Previously published as Living Above Worry and Stress.

The publishers are grateful to Christa Kinde for her collaboration, writing skills, and editorial help in developing the content for this book.

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Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV). 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from The Holy Bible: New Century Version, (NCV). 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT). 1986 by the Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 60189. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-3106-8-2554

ISBN: 978-0-3106-8-2561 (eBook)

First Printing February 2016

CONTENTS

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

According to a Gallup poll, most women are concerned about time, family, health, and money. Wouldnt you know it? All the things that cause us to worry and fret have to do with stuff God has given us dominion over.

We have one hundred and sixty-eight hours per week to do whatever we NEED to do. But oh no, we spend much of that precious time worrying about how much time we dont have.

God has instinctively given us the common sense and the innate ability to have a wholesome relationship with our family. We try to discipline the young ones, only to be afraid of damaging their ego. We attempt to control the grown ones, only to discover that we overstress ourselves because they are old enough to make their own decisions and we cant stop them.

Our bodies tell us whats going on but we dont listen. If we do listen we dont do anything about it. Oh no, we are too busy doing everything else but eating right, exercising, and getting the rest we need.

And money, well, it doesnt matter how much we get, we still want more. We use credit cards that must be paid every month to spend money we dont have to buy things we dont want to impress people we dont like.

Whats wrong with this picture? It seems that women just have to have something to worry and be stressed about. Really! We dont have to be this way! We can actually live above worry and stress. (Thats unproductive stress, of course.) The kind of stress that causes us to have headaches, backaches, shingles, upset stomachs, strokes, and heart attacks.

I should know! Now, I dont mean I never contemplate worrying and becoming stressful. Ive just found the path to overcoming the temptation of worrying and being stressful. This knowledge has come about because of the sleepless nights Ive had. The years of poor health and mental depression I suffered. The wasted hours of self-pity and defaming self-talk I inflicted on myself. The grasp for things, things, and more things I thought I needed. The broken relationships that I tried to fix that were really none of my business. And the fear that I was not going to be successful in all these areas.

This informative, instructional, encouraging, empowering, influential book addresses many of the issues in a womans life that causes her to worry and be stressful. Come with us and discover the practical ways you can eliminate the negative of worry and stress. Study the scriptures that will give you strength and courage to face the issues in your life. Listen to the stories to see how the writers handle situations similar to yours. Begin immediately to apply and practice the principles in the probing. Youll see yourself, day by day, little by little laying aside the weight of worry and stress that can easily wear you down, and beginning to stand tall with a light heart of faith and trust in God. He will monitor your thoughts and disable your mind of worry and stress. After all, John 16:33 declares that, In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer. God has overcome the world.

Thelma Wells

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith.

Luke 12:2728, NKJV

The words echo back to us from years gone by. We first learned it in a Vacation Bible School one summer or from a dear Sunday school teacherthe voice of Jesus calling us to consider the lilies. The lesson was a simple one: dont worry. If God would give the flowers such pretty petals, dressing them more grandly than wealthy King Solomon could manage, He will provide for our needs, too.

Unfortunately, the call to consider the lilies is left on a dusty shelf somewhere. Its probably right next to the old plea to stop and smell the roses. Were too busy for stopping. Were too rushed for consideration. Our to do lists are long. Our calendars are booked. Our time is money. We cant keep up.

We are busy people. We have responsibilities at work. We have responsibilities at home. We have responsibilities at church. We have responsibilities at school. We have responsibilities within our communities. We care for the needs of our parents, our husbands, our children, our siblings, our employers, our closest friends. Most days, it is more than we can handle. Our hearts are overwhelmed. We are stressed out. We are worried. We dread tomorrow.

In the midst of all this everyday turmoil, our hearts long for a place of peace. We know God has promised us rest. We know He says we dont have to worry about tomorrow. He promised to calm our fears. Yet we barely have time to whisper a prayer, let alone study our Bibles. If you have been struggling, come. Lets take a little time to explore the Scriptures, and find some practical guidelines for laying aside our fears, our worry, and even our stress. You really can discover a place of peace.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 61:2, NKJV