2. For each item, decide following and take appropriate action.

(a) It's totally in my control. Take Nike's advice: Just do it.

(b) I have influence over this situation. Use your influence to change it.

(c) I have neither control nor influence. Take yourself out of situation or accept it. Accepting it means there is no longer an emotional involvement. You truly accept it.

3. Keep plugging at your list until it's gone. Add items as they come to mind or situations arise. Pay attention to those items that are related. Would doing one big thing take care of them all? And it may be helpful to think about what payoff is for you in not taking care of these items.

4. Start using this new-found energy to work on your goals and dreams, things you really feel good about, and that will make you feel good about yourself.

I didn't feel like singing at all. There was no song in my heart. I couldn't have worshiped if I’d tried. But, I kept singing and singing until words gradually transferred to words like “Jesus is Victory”.

Still not feeling words, however repetitious it was, I kept singing until words gradually began to take on power. With each degree that I could better feel God's presence, burden felt lighter and lighter until evil presence was gone.

There's a song about things fading in His presence and things of this world growing strangely dim, in light of His glorious face … absent in body, present in spirit. Sometimes, God allows such circumstances to call us to take a vacation, to go away and just be with Him.

Once, I think I spent a whole week at escaping with God. It was so wonderful; I didn't want to come back. It is a guaranteed fix for stress related high blood pressure.

© by Joyce C. Lock http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.