Could It Happen To Me? Isaiah 40:28-31: "He gives strength to the weary... those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength" (vv.29 and 31). High achieving, goal-oriented, capable, overly-conscientious people are candidates for burnout. Myron Rush, president of Management Training Systems and author of the book, Burnout, defines burnout as "the type of stress and emotional fatigue, … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Is It Really Terrible? Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything" (v.6). Our anxiety level increases when we believe statements like: "Disappointing my parents would be terrible" or "If I make a mistake in front of others it would be awful." The truth is: it would be distasteful, painful, annoying, inconvenient -- even sad, but not the end of the world. What if you did make a mistake … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Lighten Up! Luke 6:1-11: "Jesus said...'Which is lawful on the Sabbath: ...to save life or to destroy it?'" (v.9). Several years ago when I was in the throes of severe burnout, my husband and I concluded that I needed to get away alone. I was grateful my husband made the necessary plans since I was too charred to think straight. I longed to be healthy again, and felt getting away was wise. Yet … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Panic Gives Way to Peace Isaiah 26:3: "You, Lord, give true peace...to those who trust you" (NCV). "Usually I feel a quiet inner panic that if I fail to stay in high gear everyone and everything will turn on me," said an overworked teacher. Some of us, like this teacher, feel as though we have a judge and jury peering over our shoulders. Maybe we have a person or group of persons who try to … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Renewed Every Morning Lamentations 3:19-22: "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. ...Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Several years ago I sprawled these words on a piece of scrap paper: "I am an open, … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Stopping Negative Thought Patterns 1 Chronicles 28:9: "The Lord...understands every motive behind the thoughts." "I often worry my family and boss will be disappointed and angry with me," admitted a busy and well-liked woman. "I do everything possible to control their responses and reactions. I get so anxious I want to run away, but I'm driven to stay around and repeat the process. How can I … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect