Three Keys to Enjoying Life!
By Dr. Rickey A. Nation, Ph.D.

Stress! Who needs more of it? It seems as if life is becoming more and more stressful. In January 2008, the National Consumers League gave the following statistics:

1. Eight in ten American adults (80%) say they have problems and stress in their lives.
   
   
2. Women are more likely to claim they have problems than men (84% vs. 76%).
   
   
3. Only 70% of adults 65 and older say they have problems and stress, compared with 82% of younger adults.
   
   
4. More than half of people who have problems and stress in their lives (57%) say their stress level is higher than they would like it to be.
   
   
5. 26% say it is a lot higher, while 31% say it is somewhat higher.
   
   
6. About four in ten (42%) believe their current stress level is acceptable.
   
   
7. Women are more likely than men to rate their stress level higher than they would like (62% vs. 51%).
   
   
8. Adults younger than 45 are most likely to say their stress level is higher than they prefer (64%), compared with 54% of 45-64 year olds and only 36% of adults 65 and older.

What’s the answer? While it is out of scope to focus on the main causes of stress and the source of stress, I believe there are several keys to lowering stress.

1. Problems in life will come. Job 14:1 states “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” It is futile to strive for a perfect mate, children, finances, job, career, self-image, happiness, etc. Viktor Frank in his best-selling book “Man’s Search for Meaning” page 170 states, “even the helpless victim of a hopeless situation, facing a fate he cannot change, may rise above himself, may grow beyond himself, and by so doing change himself. He may turn a personal tragedy into a triumph.” Eliminate problems now that you can eliminate. For those that remain, practice Matthew 6:33.
   
   
2. Matthew 6:33 states “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” By putting God first through a mental choice and deliberate act of the heart, in every area of life, we give up control. God now begins to enable and empower us as never before. Most people I have counseled have discovered the value of putting God first because God begins to handle the problems for them. This act alone and the knowledge of this truth is priceless and definitely reduces stress.

Last, share your burden with others. Some stressors in life are too heavy to bear. Our family has experienced multiple deaths in a 48 month period, including both my parents. We could not have dealt with this situation without the love and support of others. Galatians 6:2 states “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

While stress is a part of life, we can choose to follow and apply these three simple steps. In doing so, your stress can be lower as I have discovered and many others and life can become more enjoyable.