36 Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

While cleaning, organizing and decluttering my bedroom, I came across this e-mail that I had gotten back in January of 2005.  In light of how my life has been going lately, it seemed appropriate.

36 Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

1.  Pray
2.  Go to bed on time
3.  Get up on time so you can start your day unrushed
4.  Say NO to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health
5.  Delegate tasks to capable others
6.  Simplify and unclutter your life
7.  Less is more (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many!)
8.  Allow extra time to do things and to get to places
9.  Pace yourself.  Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump all of the hard things all together
10.  Take one day at a time
11.  Separate worries from concerns.  If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.  If you can't do anything about the situation, forget it. 
12.  Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purposes
13.  have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14.  K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut).  This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15.  Do something for the Kid in You every day
16.  Carry a Bible with ou to read while waiting in line
17.  Get enough rest
18.  Eat right
19.  Get organized so that everything has its place
20.  Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life
21.  Write down your thoughts and inspirations
22.  Every day, FIND TIME TO BE ALONE
23.  Having problems?  Talk to God on the spot!  Try to nip small problems in the bud.  Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray
24.  Make friends with Godly people.
25.  Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26.  Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you, Jesus!"
27.  Laugh
28.  Laugh some more!
29.  Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all
30.  Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can)
31.  Be kind to unkind people (the probably need it the most)
32.  Sit on your ego
33.  Talk less; listen more
34.  Slow down
35.  Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the Universe
36.  Every night before bed, think of one thing that you are grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.  GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.  "If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31

I hope this blesses someone today...