Staying Sane in a Changing World Part 2

FROM MORNING TEA.

". . . We've been thrown down, but we haven't broken." 2 Corinthians 4:9 (TM)

Shellys notes:

2 Cor 4....that is one of my favorite passages in the bible.

Vs. 1 Seeing we have this ministry, (wow were you looking for a ministry...its been given to you...you HAVE IT, it is already in your possession. The lexicon says...to have and to hold...as wearing...to hold ones self to a thing to lay hold of it, to adhear or cling to....) as we have received mercy, we faint not.


But prior to this in 2 Cor 3 it says:

Vs. 17-18 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (Where the Spirit of the Lord is, THERE IS FREEDOM!)

Back to Chapter 4:6-9

6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.


Robert Orben says, 'Sometimes I feel like the whole world's against me, but I know that's not true - some of the smaller countries are neutral!' We all want to live stress-free without having to work at it, but it can't be done. Here are 15 things you can do to make your life better:

(1) take time each day to pray and read God's Word: it'll transform your outlook!
(2) take a holiday. If you look like your passport photo, you probably need one!
(3) cut back on caffeine; what goes up must come down!
(4) eat right - a balanced diet isn't having a biscuit in each hand!
(5) exercise 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes; it's nature's 'magic bullet' for stress
(6) develop better time-management habits;
(7) make room in your life for fun
(8) get eight hours sleep when possible
(9) maintain your sense of humor. 'A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired' (Proverbs 17:22 TM).
(10) start counting your blessings. David said, 'I m overcome with joy because of Your unfailing love . . .' (Psalm 31:7 NLT)
(11) when you talk to yourself, say nice things (Daily Affirmations!!)
(12) simplify your life by eliminating 'clutter.' If you haven't used it for two years, you probably don't need it!! (so true..its time to go thru the closets!)
(13) develop a sense of purpose by setting personal goals
(14) forgive; grudges are too heavy to carry: 'If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive [you]' (Matthew 6:15 NLT)
(15) read the end of the book - we win!