You may subscribe here to InJesus,
our additional site,
for weekly encouraging words
from Aspire Ministries.

Love More Stress Less

Sandra Bontemps

LEARN HOW TO USE GOD’S TIME WELL

AND GET TO THE ROOT OF STRESS

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Let your ‘gentleness’ be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever thing are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.” Philippians 4: 4-8

Women today are living in such a fast-paced, super-sonic, jet-set world that it is very hard for them to find balance in their busy lives. They long for more comfort and rest. They want financial security. They want to be better parents or to be happy in their single lives. They long for more friends they can trust. And there is so much emphasis in the media on outer beauty and staying in shape physically for their health’s sake, also. But most of all, I believe, they want to draw closer to God.

Our series on “Love More-Stress Less” will help all women, of all ages, in all walks of life to have more balance in your lives. God wants you to love Him more and show His love to others more. And He wants you to learn to lean on Him. Cast your burdens upon Him. Have great faith that He and He alone can see you through. He does not want you to live an unbalanced life of anxiety, stress, disorder and confusion.

Do you know how much energy you are wasting with unhealthy stressful emotions? Spend time with Jesus. Develop a close personal intimate relationship with Him. Study about the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (See these messages on our site.) Pray that God will open your spirit eyes, ears, heart, soul and mind. Learn how to hear God! He wants to lead, guide and direct you through the supernatural power of His Holy Spirit. He longs to have a relationship with you. He loves you with an everlasting love.

For thirty years I have studied Christian psychology, although I do not have a degree in psychology and want to assure you that I am not a licensed counselor. I have avidly read and digested the works and books of great and wise psychologist like Dr.’s Minrith and Meier, Dr. Larry Crabb and many other Christian counselors, from whom I have gleaned much and will share on occasion, and also encourage you to read their books. Through all these years, I have taken many seminars and gone to many conferences to learn more about counseling. As a “Mother Mentor” I greatly encourage. This is one of my highest spiritual gifts, encouragement. I never call it counseling. But God has given me much spiritual wisdom, understanding and knowledge that I look forward to sharing with you.

Always we will point you to the living Word of God. God is your ultimate balance and future hope. And His Holy Spirit is your ultimate encourager, counselor, comforter and guide. Many times we will offer very practical, common sense solutions for you on how to go about the balancing act in your personal lives.

Because we are not licensed counselors, with degrees, we personally cannot nor will not make any promises to you. But we can promise you that you will lead a sweeter and smoother life and find that longed-for refreshment in your souls, when you are hungry and thirsty to know God more than anything, and feed on His Word and pray. I love this scripture in Matthew 6. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? Or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

For many years I lived in Turkey, and my beautiful daughter was born there. I saw the “whirling dervishes” doing their dance. At times I have felt like a whirling dervish, with an unbalanced “whirligig” lifestyle. So my heartfelt prayer is that I may help any of you weary souls that relate. For I have learned much about balance giving joy and peace no matter what the circumstances, that God’s Word promises us. “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 And ladies, let me tell you that life is about joy! God wants us to have joy unspeakable! And have fun along the way!

So we are going to help expose the myths and the lies of the enemy that steal your joy and fun in life. We want to encourage you all along the way on your journey into the heart of God. Take the time to read my personal testimony on “Testimonials.” For years I was consumed by the things of the world, success and cultural expectations. I had everything money could buy. And prestige and recognition. I traveled and lived all over the world. But I was discontented and unhappy. My life, even though I had a maid, cook and nanny, was still very stressful. Because I had drifted far away from my Creator God, and my personal destiny and divine calling, for which He had created me. I had allowed many choices I had made, and people in my life, to steal my rich inheritance in Jesus.

In my early forties I began to have panic attacks. I will give you my personal testimony about this in the future. So I know, believe me, what it is like to be totally stressed out. I had no joy in my life. I never took time to relax and have fun with my family or friends! I was ‘stressing more, and loving less.’ I had lost sight of who I was and who God wanted to be in my life. I took my career too seriously, and God’s Word not seriously enough! Now, praise God, I am totally consumed by Him. By His Presence. And by the supernatural power of His Holy Spirit.

“If you are living your life in what seems like a constant state of stress, hurry or emergency, you may very well be addicted to your own stress hormones. You may feel good right now as you burn the candle at both ends, but remember that eventually those two burning ends will meet each other. At the root of a stress addiction is the need to feel good, or at least to feel better. People who have this addiction become so consumed with meeting their desires to feel happy emotionally that they eventually become numb to what really matters most to them in life. You need to learn how to deal with this. You may have unforgiveness for yourself or others or distorted thinking about fulfillment, happiness and love. Stop to think for a moment about what you really desire. It very likely isn’t material possessions, new experiences, a chemically induced high or any other attitude often associated with a fast-lane lifestyle.

When it come to the end of life, many elderly people start focusing on what they truly desire.
Peace with God
Loving family relationships and good health, marked by good energy and enduring strength
Peace of mind
Joyful, simple pleasures
Time with family and friends
Having a purpose in living usually indicated by purposeful giving to others

What people do not want also becomes very clear; living in an atmosphere of argument, abuse, or aggression; too-tight schedules; too many commitments, obligations or responsibilities; exhaustion and weakness; loss of interest in living; apathy or severe lack of ambition and goals; loss of dreams and purpose; or a life void of spirituality. Why wait until old age to live the way God wants you to live? Why wait to have the emotionally satisfying and health-producing life you truly desire?" (Excerpt taken from Dr. Don Colbert’s book, “Deadly Emotions,” I encourage you to read!)

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to always keep a good perspective and “Consider the Lilies!” I want to know you more, and I want others to see Your love and the fruits of Your Spirit in my life. Help me to strive for balance in everything I do. To not overwork. To relax my standards. To do away with perfectionism and strive instead for excellence for you in all I do. Help me to realize that I have choices and that I can change my circumstances. Help me to thank You for all my circumstances and in all my ways acknowledge that You are King of kings and Lord of lords. Help me to focus on Your words and Your ways and Your promises to me. Help me to experience the joy of You. Help me to establish my goals and aspirations in what You want me to do and in who You have created me to be. Help me Lord to “Love You More, And Stress Less.” Thank You Father for Your gift of love, my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen

Blessings and Grace,

Sandra Bontemps and Janis Smith