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- Apr 25, 2006
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Learn to relax
'[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated...disturbed...and unsettled].' JOHN 14:27
Picture it: Monday morning, the alarm doesn't go off. Skipping breakfast to try and make the bus, you see it pull off in the distance. As you start walking, the heavens explode, reducing your nice new hairdo to a wet squelch on your forehead. Passing cars race through puddles like Lewis Hamilton, drenching your crisp uniform and turning it muddy brown. You think about a snack from the local shop, but then realise your pennies are in your other pair of trousers at home; which means no money for dinner either. When you finally make it in, your teacher informs you that as this is your fifth late mark this month, you've collected the grand prize of Thursday night detention.
What's your reaction:
a) you pick up the nearest year 7 in the corridor and launch them like an Olympic winning javelin throw
b) the vein in your neck pulsates, your fists clinch, your blood could boil potatoes, but you do nothing more than stew inside, or
c) you go with the flow; you've learned how to control your reactions in stressful situations. OK, so anyone who answered C is a liar. But actually, that's what Jesus wants us to learn; to stop losing peace over every stress and strain, and to work on our reactions instead. Once you've mastered yourself, you're ready to master situations. Not easy stuff, but next time you miss that bus try it.
written by Bob Gass
'[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated...disturbed...and unsettled].' JOHN 14:27
Picture it: Monday morning, the alarm doesn't go off. Skipping breakfast to try and make the bus, you see it pull off in the distance. As you start walking, the heavens explode, reducing your nice new hairdo to a wet squelch on your forehead. Passing cars race through puddles like Lewis Hamilton, drenching your crisp uniform and turning it muddy brown. You think about a snack from the local shop, but then realise your pennies are in your other pair of trousers at home; which means no money for dinner either. When you finally make it in, your teacher informs you that as this is your fifth late mark this month, you've collected the grand prize of Thursday night detention.
What's your reaction:
a) you pick up the nearest year 7 in the corridor and launch them like an Olympic winning javelin throw
b) the vein in your neck pulsates, your fists clinch, your blood could boil potatoes, but you do nothing more than stew inside, or
c) you go with the flow; you've learned how to control your reactions in stressful situations. OK, so anyone who answered C is a liar. But actually, that's what Jesus wants us to learn; to stop losing peace over every stress and strain, and to work on our reactions instead. Once you've mastered yourself, you're ready to master situations. Not easy stuff, but next time you miss that bus try it.
written by Bob Gass
