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Christina Cook Lee

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Seven practical ways to manage stress

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Topic: Managing stress

Focus: Seven practical ways to manage stress

John 14:1 (NIV) Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

If you were to grade your stress level on a scale of one to ten—with ten being the highest, what would you say your level of stress is?

Some of the most typical causes of stress are: relationship conflicts, unemployment, perceived loss of control, financial concerns, health problems, pushing ourselves beyond reasonable limits, addiction to technology, fear of crime, substance abuse, procrastination, eating disorders, responsibilities to others, deadlines, aging, to name a few.

As you were reading the list, did one thing in particular stand out? Maybe more than one? Maybe most of the list? Did you feel yourself tightening when you saw certain words on the list describing some of the causes of stress? How is your breathing right now?

Stress is a worldwide problem. Stress hasn’t only been a problem in our life time, it has been a problem since God made humans. Stress is a major cause of depression and dependency. It is the reason why many people justify what they do–and don’t do.

I would like you to take an honest look at the stress in your life and make the decision here and now to get a handle on it.

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New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

Jesus said for us not to allow our heart to be troubled (John 14:1). Well, guess what? ‘Troubled’ is what stress is. Interestingly, stress is a major cause of ‘heart trouble’. When you are ‘troubled’, it is bad for your heart.

When you allow yourself to be filled with stress–basic things go wrong with your body.

There are seven practical adjustments you can make that won’t do a thing to change what is causing you stress, but will make a huge difference in what stress is doing to you. I prayed about writing this—at least pray about what I have written.

  • Drink more water. If you are in a condition of stress, your body can become dehydrated more easily. Without enough water in your body—your head starts to hurt. Other bodily functions become more difficult because your body is basically ‘dried out’.
  • Breathe more deeply and evenly. Something as simple as your ability to breathe can be greatly affected by stress. When your mind is distracted by stressful thoughts, your breathing becomes shallow and irregular. Your brain needs oxygen to function properly, as do all of your organs.
  • Get more rest. When you are full of stress, you will often feel tempted to keep working and not allow your body to shut down. Sleep is a critical need for your physical health and well-being. During deep sleep, you are restored—mentally, emotionally, and physically. When your sleep is compromised, so is everything else.
  • Write out five comforting Bible verses to read several times a day. According to Psalm 119:165, if we love God’s Word, we will have great peace. Some suggestions are: Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 29:11.
  • Deliberately count your blessings and spend quality time everyday thanking God for as many things as you can think of.
  • Sing or at least listen to a few songs everyday that tell of the faithfulness of God.
  • Try to stop allowing stress to rule your heart and mind. If you notice you are feeling stressful, try to identify the reason. Purposely re-direct your mind to what God says about you and your situation and remember His promises.

Declaration: I will find new strength by taking practical steps to manage stress. I will allow the peace of God—not stress, to rule my heart and mind.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Receiving the Comforter

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Topic: You”re not alone

Focus: Receiving the Comforter

John 14:16-17 (Paraphrased) And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter…Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.

Sometime during your life’s journey with God, it is likely you will come to a valley where–in terms of human acquaintances—it will feel like you have been utterly abandoned. This might happen in a physical sense, an emotional sense, or both.

It is the desire of God for us to learn to put our trust completely in Him. How else would we become able to do that unless we experienced what it is to feel entirely alone?

The Bible clearly explains that when you make the decision to trust God with all of your heart, soul, and mind—He faithfully begins to work on you—toward the perfecting of your faith. He won’t only test your faith for the simple purpose of seeing if you meant what you said when you decided to follow Him, but He will test it to allow what faith you started out with to become deeper and stronger.

Your most critical point of need—when all of your relationships seem to have failed–is sometimes referred to as the ‘dark night’ of your soul. It is the place where every human resource is gone and there is nowhere left to turn. Oh, and don’t let me forget to mention that the experience isn’t usually over after a day or so. It might go on for a long while and possibly seem as though this is the way it’s going to be for the rest of your life, before there is any sign of relief.

Some people who have never been tested in this area may be tempted to think that such a trial can’t happen to a true, Spirit-filled Christian. Some may further venture that suffering of any kind is not necessary because of the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. If that is the case, I would ponder why Jesus bothered to tell His disciples He would send a “Comforter”. I would also encourage such persons to have a close look at Hebrews chapter twelve in the Bible.

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Link to New Strength Audio Version

New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

Jesus knew His followers would suffer trials that would cause them intense pain and suffering. He knew human relationships would often end in failure. He knew it would be an impossible struggle to find light and truth in the midst of darkness and deception without a Helper.

If it had not been likely that true Christians would need a Comforter, Teacher, and Guide who could reveal the truth in questionable circumstances and in experiences where it would be hard to tell right from wrong—Jesus would never have spoken the important words in John chapter fourteen.

We know that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. Father God was well pleased with His Son. Jesus had so much faith, He was able to perform many amazing miracles. Yet, on the night He went to pray in the garden of Gethsemane, He agonized over the test that lay before Him. At the time when He needed His closest friends the most—they all ran for their lives and deserted Him. They watched Him suffer at a distance and didn’t come to help Him or defend Him. How much darker does a night get than that? Yet, before any of that happened–Jesus told his friends they would be scattered and leave Him–but, He would not be alone because His Father was with Him.

Jesus was well aware that if we would live as His faithful followers and drink from His cup—we would also come to recognize the bitter taste of rejection and denial. It is part of the fellowship of His suffering. Isaiah 53:3 prophetically states the Messiah would be despised and rejected of men–a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.

God’s purpose in allowing us to suffer rejection and feel alone, is to teach us to recognize His ever abiding presence. Through discovering the weakness of human relationships, we become confident in the strength of our everlasting bond with the Father and the Son—through the blessed Holy Spirit.

Declaration: I will find new strength by being filled with the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit. I choose to let the Holy Spirit lead me into all truth. By receiving this holy presence into my life, I will never have to be alone again.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

The importance of right relationships 

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Focus: The importance of right relationships

Proverbs 12:26 (NIV) The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Sometimes a weak person may feel stronger in the presence of someone who is confident and outgoing—but often, those who are depressed and dependent gravitate more easily toward people who are just like they are. You know the old saying, “Misery loves company”.

If you are trying to recover from depression and dependency—spending time with a person who is not depressed or dependent would be a healthy thing to do. But, it isn’t that easy to feel comfortable around people who are not depressed or dependent–when you are.  By the same token, people who aren’t depressed or dependent usually aren’t all that comfortable around people who are.

A desire for acceptance is one of the principal driving forces, for any person in search of a relationship. It is basic human nature to want respect and admiration. Yet, if we are in a period of weakness and insecurity—it is so easy to end up in negative relationships that produce negative results.

So, what is the answer? How does a depressed and dependent person break out of the pattern of attracting negative relationships? And, what can you do about the friends you have who are taking you down even further than you already are–whenever you’re together?

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Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

In Charles R. Swindoll’s book, Dropping Your Guard, he states:

“If you put on a pair of clean white gloves on a rainy day and then go out into the backyard to the flower bed and pick up a glob of mud, trust me, the mud will never get “glovey”. The gloves will definitely get muddy. Every time in all my years on earth, I have never seen glovey mud. Not once.”

Here are some practical suggestions I would like to make—based on personal experience.

Make sure your priorities are right. Don’t think a relationship is going to ‘fix’ you. God is the only one who is going to fix you. Seeking or cultivating relationships with people who have no respect or admiration for God will not lead you toward Him—but away from Him. You have already been there and done that. There is nothing you need to go back and re-visit on that wrong road.

Learn to be comfortable without friends for a while. Your relationship with God truly is enough. When you are stable and at a point where your confidence is completely in God, alone—you will be able to make better decisions about friendships. Until you get to a healthy, recovered state, you need to keep all of your focus on God and His great love for you.

When past acquaintances question why you aren’t getting together with them–tell them you have decided to put your friendship ‘on hold’ while you spend time working on some personal issues that need attending to.  Be willing to suffer insult, if they mock you and try to use negative tactics to draw you back. Your recovery progress is more important than their approval.

Ask God to let you know when it is okay for you to have relationships again. Tell Him you want His help in this. Give Him permission to select a new circle of positive and nurturing friends for you…people who will help you keep moving forward on your journey.

Declaration: I will find new strength by accepting the fact that friendship with God is all I need right now.  I will keep my focus on building a strong relationship with Him and wait for His choices in my future relationships.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Finding that Christ really is ‘enough’

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Topic: Loneliness

Focus: Finding that Christ really is ‘enough’

Maybe you’ve had the experience of pouring all your time and attention into a person, only to come to the realization that no matter how much of yourself you invested into that person, the feeling wasn’t mutual. There was something missing. It’s possible you were hoping that by giving of yourself—the other person would reciprocate in some way, or at least show some kind of appreciation.

As human beings, we spend so much of our time, attention, and energy on relationships. How we get along with people seems to have everything to do with our happiness, our peace of mind, our hope, our motivation, how we think, what plans we make…but, should it really be that way? Should ‘people’ be the reason we live and move and have our being? If our life is structured completely around people—no wonder we become depressed and dependent.

By design, God meant for us to draw our satisfaction completely from Him. It was His plan that everything in our life would be an ‘off shoot’ of our relationship with Him. Yet, it’s so common for us to get things turned around. So often, we make our plans without giving much thought toward whether we want what God wants. The really strange thing is how many times we can repeat the process and still not realize that we have it all wrong.

When Christ is the source of our happiness, peace of mind, our hope, our motivation, how we think, what plans we make—everything takes on a different perspective. He says, “Apart from Me—or without Me, you can do nothing.” So, no wonder we feel empty after we’ve poured so much of ourselves into a person or a project when the true motivation was not from Christ. We are left at the end of our efforts with a hollow feeling of disappointment that might even cause us to question our life and purpose.

(Read more below)

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Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

John 15:5 has a lot of truth for us, if we want to take the time to see it. That hollow feeling of disappointment doesn’t come up when you are living out your purpose because you are one of the branches connected to the vine. That lonely, isolated feeling just doesn’t exist when you embrace the knowledge that you are part of a huge, living being. You are one of many branches—not some lone ranger out there on your own. You are connected to a source of life that will never die. Your energy and sustenance will never give out when it’s coming from God and not from you. God Himself, in the form of Jesus Christ is the vine you are growing out of—and you are not the only branch.

When we live our life embracing the truth—that everything we are and ever will be comes from Him and is for Him—we live with the knowledge that our life definitely does have purpose and we will most certainly produce meaningful fruit.

Everyday takes on a different tone when we think of it as a new ‘mission’. Our existence becomes a lot more interesting when we live in constant fascination of what the Branch Manager is going to instruct us to do next.

When we see our relationships as ‘assignments’ from God—it’s a lot less crushing when we don’t get recognition or praise from people for our efforts. In fact, we can delight in just the opposite. Our reward is in heaven.

God sees each and every act we do—and He is the One who will give us our reward. In fact, we should never expect to get credit from people for something we did for Christ—that is, if it was truly Christ we were doing it for…

Declaration: I will find new strength by gaining a better understanding of my role as one of the many branches connected to the One True Vine.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

The fight for your soul

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Topic: Fear

Focus: The fight for your soul

Romans 12:21 (NIV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Evil takes on many forms. Fear is evil. Our thoughts can be focused on fearful subject matter—but we can be going along with our day not even conscious about how much of our time and energy are being sucked up by negative thoughts—which are really based on fear.

Looking at ‘fear’ as the equal to ‘evil’—and ‘good’ as the equal to ‘God’s Word’, let’s go to Romans 12:21 and do a little word substitution. Let’s say it this way: “Do not be overcome by fear, but overcome fear with God’s Word.”

I took a few moments and jotted down the top ten things that came to my mind in regard to fear. My list might be different from what you would list as your top ten fears, but what I am suggesting to you is to take the time to have a look at what kind of fears bother you the most. When you’re aware of your fears, you have a better opportunity to control the influence that fears of different kinds may have over your life. The way to not be overcome with fear is by having something to remind yourself of, when you become absorbed with fear of a certain nature.

Death of a Loved One—Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rejection—John 15:18-19 (NKJV) If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

(Read more below)

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Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

Failure—Romans 8:37 (NKJV) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Poverty—Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Fatal Illness—Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Being Attacked—Psalm 23:4-6
 (NKJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Being Alone—Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Dark—Isaiah 50:10 (NIV) Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.

Being Disabled—1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.

Inability to Overcome Depression—Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV) “I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

Declaration: I will find new strength by taking authority over my fears with the Word of God. I will take comfort knowing I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Living in the presence of God

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Topic: Joy

Focus: Living in the presence of God

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Being in a condition of depression and dependency is something like having your eyes covered with a blindfold. What you are feeling is real to you. It isn’t some imaginary trip. One of the hardest things about it is having the ability to see your own progress. Sometimes, you struggle to see the light of day. Putting one foot in front of the other requires true effort. At times, you want to just huddle down and stay under the covers. The problem with that is—you can only stay in bed so long before you begin to feel pain from that, too. Your joints hurt and your head aches. Your body wasn’t meant to be in a horizontal position for long periods of time. It hurts to get up and it hurts to stay down. So what is the answer? You can’t stay in limbo.

If this describes the kind of day you’re having today—try to take just a baby step—even if it hurts. Whisper the Name of, ‘Jesus’. Even mouth the words of a song. These are things that are precious to the heart of God. Any attempt to press your hand into His will bring a positive response from Him.

You are on the path of life. Some days will be harder than others. Even the great saints struggled periodically. Think of it like the weather. Some days are gray—but they are not all gray. If a dark day comes along, just remember that tomorrow is another day. Take whatever steps you can and make any progress possible.

(Read more below)

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Link to New Strength Audio Version
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

I believe the words David wrote in Psalm 16, were a statement of faith. The context of verse 11 alludes to the fact that David was leaning hard into God as his refuge. It seems that others around him were taking steps toward false gods. It’s likely David was in a place of physical challenge when he wrote this psalm. He refers to the fact that in the flesh there might have been reasons for him to feel insecure about his own safety. He was at a place where he knew his only possible hope was in the Lord. Through an act of his own will David begins to remind himself of God’s faithfulness to him in the past. He praises God for the counsel he receives continually. He makes declaration of receiving his instruction from the Lord in the night—even though it is quite possible he wasn’t feeling these things at the time. Nevertheless he was reminding himself of God’s ability to give him counsel and instruction when things looked impossible. David knew from experience that the most important thing he could do at a place of such extreme challenge would be to keep his eyes steady on God.

David chose to be glad and rejoice. It wasn’t the natural thing for him to feel or do in his present conditions.

David chose the right thing. He could have looked at his circumstances and gone further into a pit of darkness. Present circumstances are always temporary.

Every single step we take on the path of life is a choice. We must consciously choose to move toward the presence of God. We must choose to keep His hand in ours. God is willing for us to move in His direction—it is we who must make the choice to do so. As we make even a tiny step—the weight of our condition lifts ever so slightly. As we reach our hand toward His and make that important contact—we are rewarded with ability to grasp onto Him and receive the strength we need to make the next step.

There is joy to be had and eternal pleasures—as hard as that may seem to believe today. Your faith is secure. You have not been abandoned. The path is lighter just ahead. Keep your hand in His—He knows the way and He is able to lead you when you can’t see it on your own. This is just one day of the journey. They will not all be overcast.

Let your mind go to a time of victory when you felt stronger. Encourage yourself as David did. According to the Word of God, you are moving toward joy. Remind your mind that you are heading in the direction of everlasting pleasure.

Declaration: I will find new strength today by remembering that this is only one day of the journey. This darkness is temporary. As I keep putting one foot in front of the other and hold onto God—I will keep moving forward. By choosing to stay in the presence of God—my joy will be renewed. I will move toward the everlasting pleasure God has promised me. I will not turn back.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.