Welcome to His Encouragement Thursday! I don’t know about you, but Thursdays are my struggle day of the week. By Thursday, I have already been working hard at school and at home, and I just wish it would hurry up and be Friday already. LOL! I definitely need a little extra Jesus time on Thursdays.
Trisha, my blogger friend at Joy of Reading, and I decided on calling this post “His Encouragement” because our real source of peace, strength, and security can only come from Jesus Christ. He and He alone is our constant! We pray and hope that these Thursday posts become a real encouragement to you and help you end your week strong in God’s love and purpose for you. God bless!
Today’s Thursday Encouragement:
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:2 (ESV)
Two weeks ago I went to the doctor for my annual physical. It was an eye-opening visit to say the least.
After a long talk with my doc and some blood work the diagnosis is that stress is killing me. I have to up my exercise routines, almost completely rid my diet of sugar, quite possibly start taking some blood pressure meds, and I’ve got to learn to chill out. Like really, really chill out.
The last three years have been really, really hard for me and now my body is starting to shut down a little … I think out of self-preservation.
But I don’t know what to do. I already read my Bible every single day. I already pray and sing worship songs. I’ve literally trained myself to immediately say, “Take every thought captive to obey Christ” the SECOND my brain starts to spiral into stress-filled and fearful thoughts. I also take time to read for fun. I have long, amazing talks with my husband. I hug my daughter … a lot! I chat with my mama. I watch fun TV with my family.
But I’m clearly failing. My body tells me so!
I read Psalm 127:2 and thought to myself, “I know this!” I work hard, but I know my limits. I know how to set boundaries and I do. I don’t think I am doing any vain work. I don’t think I’m anxiously toiling. And, to be honest, I sleep pretty darn well most nights. So why am I sick? Why is my body telling me that what I think about myself is clearly wrong? And, how do I fix it?
This week, I need your help, dear reader. I need some prayers. And, I need to ask: what are some of the healthy (and legal) things you do to chill out? How can I heal from anxiety and stress that’s so deeply ingrained in me I don’t even know I’m anxious or stressed? Perhaps you know a good Bible study or devotional or non-fiction text that would be good for me? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thank you, dear readers, for taking the time to stop by my blog today. Thank you for reading this post. And thank you for your prayers and suggestions. My prayer for you is that you have an amazing day today. God bless you all!
NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN!
WHAT BIBLICAL VERSE IS ENCOURAGING YOU TODAY?
Check out more Thursday Encouragement from my fellow blogger friends:
Trisha @ Joy of Reading
Jacquelyn @ A Heavenly Home
Jessica @ A Baker’s Perspective
Becca @ The Becca Files
Gina @ Stories by Gina
Rebecca @ Rev. Rebecca Writes
Andi @ Radiant Light
Leslie @ Words of Hope
Claudia @ Claudia Moser
Keneesha @ Women Loving God’s Way
The Christian Fiction Girl 
There is a good Bible study book by Laura Story called “I Give Up: The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life” by Laura Story that is really good. God bless you with His peace.
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Thank you so much, Vickie, for this recommendation. I will check it out. Blessings to you, my friend!
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Praying for you. Changed in life aren’t easy – especially when you aren’t sure of the direction those changes should be. As one with multiple medical issues, my direction seems to be always changing meaning for me I had to learn to be flexible and to just let things go. Sounds easy, but for me it wasn’t. What will help is to know that what you do for yourself is not selfish but rather a present for your family because it means you will be around for them a lot longer.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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Thank you, Kay. I am so grateful for your encouraging words. I do have to learn to be ok with taking care of myself so I can be here for my family. Thank you! Blessings to you, my friend!
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When I’m at my worst, I shut off all social media for 24 hours and work on chores, read a book, or take a long, hot bath.
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I love this idea! Thank you. 😀
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