Stress Management: God's Gift of Insight - Part 3

Have you wondered how children growing up in the same home can turn out so differently? Even when troubled families expose children to chaos and  violence, some manage to sidestep the dysfunction to establish successful lives. They have unique insight on how to avoid enmeshments that leave others in a state of hopelessness.

Gaining insight is a lifetime endeavor and becomes a lifeline for every stage of life. A man described how his eighty-year-old father had keen insight for managing the issues and stress of aging. Insight enables a person to withstand the turbulence and unpredictability of life. Insight builds competence for asking difficult questions and accepting hard answers.

One important insight is knowing God gives us peace when the stressors of life could be overwhelming. Proverbs points out the way. "Follow the steps of the godly and stay on the right path, for only the righteous enjoy life to the fullest." So search for godly role models and remember, Jesus challenges us to come and learn from him.  

Stress Management: God's Gift of Insight - Part 2

Have you ever had to confront a problem that was so important, you were willing to do whatever was required to find a solution? The insight gained from such an experience is a treasure worth keeping. Someone defined insight as "the mental habit of asking searching questions and giving honest answers." This is required for managing the reality of everyday stress.

Insight includes understanding and wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 asks this pertinent question: "How do people become wise?" The answers is "trust and reverence for God." Proverbs 2:1 gives another step. "Every person who listens and obeys God's instructions will be given wisdom and good sense." Insight and wisdom provide skills for managing the stressors of life.

Insight strengthens resilience, which enables God's people to manage stress appropriately. In the Gospels, Jesus consistently modeled insight and resilience which came from knowing God his Father and his Father's word. While we do not have perfect insight or understanding, God promises to give us wisdom when we ask for it.