Shooting the Breeze
Some days I feel like this guy in the picture. Some days I look like this guy in the picture. Stress seems to get the better of me more times than I like.
I know I am promised peace but a lot of days I am not experiencing it. Here is a slightly different way to look at peace. Perhaps you can relate to it.
5 ways to have a nervous breakdown
(from “Five ways to have a nervous breakdown” by J.L. Glass)
1. Try to figure out the answer before the problem arises.
Most bridges we cross are never built, because they are unnecessary. We carry tomorrow’s load with today’s. Matthew 6:34 says: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
2. Try to relive the past.
As we trust God for the future, we must trust Him with the past. And He can use the most checkered past imaginable for His good (Romans 8:28).
3. Try to avoid making decisions.
Doing this is like deciding whether to allow weeds to grow in our gardens. While we’re deciding, they’re growing. Decisions will be made in our delay … Choice is man’s most godlike characteristic.
4. Demand more of yourself than you can produce.
Unrealistic demands result in beating our heads against stone walls. We don’t change the walls. We just damage ourselves. Romans 12:3 says “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.”
5. Believe everything Satan tells you.
Jesus described Satan as the “father of lies” (John 8:44). He’s a master of disguise, masquerading as an angle of light. But our Lord declared that His sheep follow Him because they “know His voice” (John 10:4). They have listened to it in His Word.
Which of these most resonates with you the most? Why?
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Hello Kevin, Your post is great! LOL…That picture just cracks me up! I think you hit the nail right on the head on all accounts here! The one that truly resonates with me is “Don’t make decisions” It’s so true that we have to make them all day long and in a way, knowing our core will help us tremendously on that level… “Choice is man’s most godlike characteristic”.Loved that!
Nathalie Villeneuve recently posted..Two Frogs Story & The Slight Edge
I am glad you enjoyed the post so much Nathalie.
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin Martineau recently posted..Favourite Links Friday: 6 incredible posts to check out!
Great post and a funny pic! You’ve really made my day with this article. Thanks for it!
Thanks for sharing!
Kevin Martineau recently posted..Many people struggle with depression
I’ve been guilty! Especially of #1 and #4, but thankful for progress. That kind of stuff is like quicksand–not what we were intended for! Thanks Kevin.
#4 for me has been my Achilles heal for many years but as you said, thankful for the progress too.
Thanks for sharing Jason!
Kevin Martineau recently posted..Before you criticize, walk a mile in my shoes
Hello Kevin, I love how you flipped it on us. You point out the things that will give us a nervous breakdown. Sometimes we need to see the things to avoid. I resonated with number 2. Relive the past. Too often, I tend to want to look toward the past, and what I could’ve done better. I’ll often ask “what if” questions. But God doesn’t want us to focus on what went wrong in the past. That’s the quickest way to have a nervous breakdown. We should be like Apostle Paul and forget those things that are behind us and reach for to the things be for us. I’m going to press toward the mark! Thanks for sharing!
Jarrod @ Optimistic Journey recently posted..Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place?
Great points Jarrod!
Thanks for sharing.
Kevin Martineau recently posted..The power of one
I lived a very stressful life for most of my years. It’s not so bad now, partly because my husband is such a supportive guy. However, the one that is still one of my challenges is #4… I do demand more of myself often than I could produce. And then I’m disappointed that I fail to help enough or follow through efficiently. The Lord has been helping me with this, but it really is one I have to keep turning over to Him. It truly does go back to childhood when, by the age of 6, I was expected to take care of sisters, house chores, other needs, and it was all surrounded by violence. Even though my life has changed… BIG TIME HALLELUJAH!!!… those knee-jerk responses connected to “responsibility” still can slide into the scene and I’m tricked. In the past couple decades, I’ve done better. Been hugely blessed and encouraged. But still have to be on watch. Don’t know if that will ever totally disappear, but it’s MUCH better.
Joanne Norton recently posted..MATTHEW 7:3
I can totally relate to what you have said Joanne. #4 is my greatest struggle too. I am slowly learning to overcome it though.
Kevin Martineau recently posted..A bold declaration of commitment
Very powerful discussion! After reading the ways to have nervous breakdown, It drives me crazy. That’s a great eye catching article! Perhaps the miss led people will do that so.
Mika Castro recently posted..סולידריות
Thanks for sharing Mika!
Kevin Martineau recently posted..Decluttering life
#4 resonates the most with me. Being a father/husband, full time employed, blogger, and friend can cause all manners of stress. I tend to overestimate the amount I can get done and then get overwhelmed trying to get it all done.
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You are not alone in your struggle Gerald! We should start a support group.
Kevin Martineau recently posted..Are you trapped or free?
I agree, great images and message Kevin! I’ve certainly been “there” more than a few times in my life, but I have to say that it’s rare now that I work at home. Of course that’s not to say I life is leisurely – it’s just that I have more control over my life now and that makes a huge difference.
marquita herald recently posted..The Journey from Near Extinction to Cultural Renaissance
Thanks for sharing Marty!
Kevin Martineau recently posted..Many people struggle with depression
Thank you for the post. I enjoyed reading it as I can understand many are going through stress day in and day out. Knowing what to avoid can lessen the difficulties we experience on a daily basis. Let us enjoy life and I will make sure that I keep in mind what you have said.
Thanks for sharing Jeffrey!
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