3 Reasons We Shouldn't Fear the Future

 by Barbara Latta

To look at the world’s ills, one could cower in fear of what’s next on the tragedy agenda. Not only have we navigated a worldwide pandemic, we have also endured weather disasters, political stress and civil unrest.

But you know what?

This is nothing new. Since the beginning of time mankind has fought among himself, people have dealt with volcanoes, earthquakes and floods. Nation has warred against nation and strife has not ceased.

Fear is the opposite of faith in God. When we fear, our eyes are on the turmoil around us and not on the Father Who saves us.God’s instructions to His people to fear not appear in the Bible hundreds of times. He knew we would be influenced by the world and events around us and our natural senses would default to looking at tragic or impossible situations. His repetition of this phrase is because we need to hear it so much.

When I was struggling with fear of the future God reminded me of these 3 things.

We shouldn’t live in fear because:

7 Ways to Avoid Holiday Stress

by Barbara Latta

Stores erect Christmas trees earlier each year.

Each year Christmas sneaks up on us sooner than last year. Or maybe I am the only one who feels that way!

The stores have already erected Christmas trees before the Halloween decorations have left the shelves and commercials for much sought after gifts bombard our senses. We can start to feel the pinch and pressure to out-perform last year or add to an already crowded calendar.

How can we enjoy the celebrations with our friends and family without being overcome by stress and depression?

According to the Mayo Clinic and Health.com here are some tips to keep our lives in balance during busy holidays:

7 Keys to Emotional Health

by Barbara Latta

Why are pharmaceutical companies bombarding the airwaves with new drugs promising to elevate mood and make your day better? Because the majority of the population wants quick fixes for their problems with little or no effort to solve the cause. I have heard some

Pills can't solve problems

advertisements for weight loss pills which promise to drop weight like a deflating balloon while the consumer continues to eat whatever they desire.  Others promise instant relief from depression by asking the doctor for their product. Medication may affect body chemicals, but a pill cannot make someone happy.

Lifestyle alterations are necessary for any productive changes in our lives. These 7 keys can implement better emotional health and peaceful lives.

1.Forgive – Harboring unforgiveness can cause physical symptoms in our bodies such as ulcers, headaches, and high blood pressure. Many examples are recorded of people who have been healed of diseases after truly forgiving another. “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13).

2.Reduce stress – Examine your schedule and cut out any unnecessary activities. We all have job responsibilities and family issues, but children do not have to participate in every event the school or community offers. Limit clutter on your calendar. “And whatever you do,

Cut activities

do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).

3.Examine thoughts – Dwelling on negative issues and problems brings more depression. You will keep him in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you” (Isaiah 26:3).

4.Stop the comparison trap – Media thrives on the human desire to look or perform better than someone else. We all have our good and bad points, but comparison results in never being satisfied with who we are. This doesn’t mean we never try to improve, but if we have to be better than someone else before we can be happy we need to re-examine our motives.  We don’t have to own more than someone else, either. Our life’s value is not in our possessions. We don’t need a TV in every room or a new car each year. Is the stuff that will someday be in a rust pile worth fretting over? “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).

5.Have fun – Learn to relax by unplugging from electronics or anything that is a time stealer and give the mind a vacation for a set time each day. Having fun doesn’t have to be an expensive vacation. Laughing together and playing games with the family instead of watching TV can bring amazing results. “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a

Make time for fun

broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).

6.Get enough rest and eat healthy – While all sickness is not caused from eating habits, consuming junk food or too much sugar brings unhealthy results. Physical ailments can result in emotional down turns. “And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

7.Put God first – This is the most important. If our lives are

Put God first

prioritized to listen to God and follow His Word, we will be receiving instructions to keep ourselves from falling into pits of depression and despair. Making time in prayer and Bible study will set us up for success during the remaining hours of the day. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:34).

What are some other keys you can add to this list? Share your thoughts.

Holiday De-Stress

The holidays are over. Ah, peaceful bliss. Maybe.

It all depends on how we handle it. Between November and December we are subjected to different amounts of stress whether we cause it or not. There is more of everything. Parties, shopping, cooking, church and school plays, traveling and mailing.

Even if we are not the ones doing all the buying, driving, or participating in events, we can get caught up in the middle of those who are. Traffic is more congested, stores are crowded, and crime seems to increase.

After it is all over, we want to breathe a sigh of relief for the end of it all. But the cessation of activity can sometimes bring despair instead of the release we crave. After the big buildup, we can feel let down in our emotions. January seems to bring dismal weather and that can add to the cloud that gathers over our head.

The cure is to focus on the right things. We know what our holidays are supposed to be about. And even if we did get caught up in the stress of it all, it’s possible to go back in our minds and be thankful for all our blessings and praise God for giving us something to celebrate.

It’s never too late to think about others. Many charities expand their outreach to the needy during holidays, but the cause doesn’t end because the time of year changes. We can still give to these groups even if there is no one outside a store ringing a bell. We can send thank you notes to those who gave to us or provided us with a service in the previous year.

And best of all, making time each day to just slow down, thank God, and be conscious of listening to Him will calm our souls and lighten our mood.

Finding something to focus on other than the holiday meltdown can keep our emotions on the right track and keep us from falling into the January doldrums.

What are some ways you combat the after-holiday melancholy?