Tuesday, January 22, 2013

PEACE OF MIND in 10 Minutes 1/13/13


PEACE of MIND in TEN MINUTES for Christians

“Rejoice in the Lord always….Do not worry about anything, but pray making your requests known to God, and the peace of God will guard your heart.”   From Philippians 4:4-7.

 

1.       RETREAT – Find a quiet spot where you can be alone, without having to interact with others.

 

2.       RELAX—Studies demonstrate that when you relax your body, you will achieve a greater degree of calm.

·         Breathe Deeply with Imagination:  Close your eyes.  Take 4 deep breathes.  Begin with a slow and long exhale, pretending that you are exhaling all your inner stress.  Inhale slowly, imaging that you are inhaling the refreshing peace of Christ, which is cleansing you of stress.   [Job 33:4 The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Lord has given me life.]

·         Progressive muscle relaxation.  Tighten all muscles, one set at a time, for 30 seconds, beginning with toes, feet, calves, knees, thighs, stomach, back arms, hands, neck, and head), then release.  Wait 10 seconds then go to next step, until you have completed all muscle groups of your body.  (If very stressed out, repeat)

 

3.       REFLECT.  Psalm 63:5 (The Message) “If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in … reflection. Because you’ve always stood up for me, I’m free…..”       Ask Jesus to give you his inner peace by helping you identify current stressors in your life, today.  Check as many as appropriate for today:

_____work stress       ______family stress     ______financial stress                    _____relational stress

_____health stress       _____grief                   ______anxiety &/or depression

_____loneliness           ______stress about your life direction              ______guilt due to your own unconfessed sin

______Others:___________________________________________________________

 

·         Now ask Jesus to direct you to select ONE area that you choose to ask for Jesus’ help. Write out a sentence describing the situation._________________________________________________________________

            

  1. REVEAL. Everything’s falling apart on me, GOD; I will not forget what you revealed to me. Put me together again… (Psalm 119:6  The Message).       Ask Jesus to show you the pertinent causes of the stress:

  • Other people or forces beyond your control:____________________________________________________________

·         Identify your own mistakes, sin, errors, which has caused and/or contributed to the stress:_____________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

5.       REPENT, which in this case means to turn your focus away from your problem and yourself, and to turn your focus upon Jesus who is ready to help when asked.  (Luke 11:9-13).

·         Confess your sin (bad attitude, bitterness, toxic anxiety, hateful anger, words exchanged, actions), and know that immediately when you do, you have been automatically forgiven. [1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness]

·         We are commanded to “Cast all our burdens upon Him, because He cares for you.”(1 Peter 5:7).  So, obey. Speak to Jesus in your own words, or pray this: Lord, I give you this burden to carry for me.  I lift them off my back, and place them on your cross, which you are carrying on your back. Just as you transformed the cross to make peace between God & humanity, so take my burdens that I might have peace with you.” (I John 4:11, 13-16)

 

6.       REJOICE “You will cry for help and the Lord will say, “Here I am.” (Isaiah 5:9) & the peace of Christ will be with you”(Philippians 4:9)    Thank Jesus, over and over again (Phil. 4:8-9), that he has taken your burdens for today (FACT) and that you have given to him by FAITH and the FEELINGS will follow.


7.       RENEW & REFRESHReview & reaffirm God’s promises,  from above, working them into your heart. (Psalm 119:11)

 

Feed back on the helpfulness, or lack thereof, of this prayer guide would be appreciated, so that this tool might be improved.
By the Rev. John Donnelly, Christ Church Quaker Farms, Oxford, CT