Reflection Moment
The Heat is On

Our trivet will come in handy when we get something hot out of the oven or microwave and we don’t want to damage our tables or bench tops. They are great to put something hot on….but how we handle life when “the heat is on”.

Eleanor Roosevelt, a U.S. First Lady once said, “A woman is like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” That is so true. What is really down deep inside comes out when the pressure is on. Do we crumble or do we rise to the occasion? How have you handled stress in the past?

You would be amazed at the fact that diamonds are made from the same substance that the lead in your pencil or coal is made up of. The only difference is that atoms are arranged more tightly in a diamond, which makes them harder. This bond is formed when carbon is exposed to extreme temperatures and very high pressure. Rare diamonds of high value develop deep underground: more than 100 miles below the surface.

I want us to become diamonds…something beautiful that has been formed from intense heat and pressure. We can use those pressures in our lives, those hot moments, to strengthen us and build us up. These stresses can point us to some much needed changes in our lives. Also, stress in our lives points us to a realisation of how much we need to trust God in our lives. We need to learn from our stress. We can’t stop a lot of the pressures from coming, but we can make a decision of what we’re going to do with them.

But how? It’s as easy as A, B, C.

A – Admit that you are not in control. It seems like we have more stress on us when we are trying to control everything in our lives. All it takes is one thing to get out of our control and the heat is on!! We cannot be Superwoman or Super Mum. But we can rest assured that God is in control!! He allows every thing to happen in our lives for a reason. Next time the heat is on, ask yourself, “What is God trying to teach me through this?” Maybe we need to Let Go, and Let God! Do we have a strong faith in God and trust in His Son, Jesus? He promises a peace that passes all understanding. Rely on Him!

B – Breathe!! The next time the heat is on, take time to Breathe!! Just take some deep breaths, remain calm, and maybe even count to ten. Find out what are your best ways to de-stress…taking a hot bubble bath, maybe a long walk at sunset, reading a book, having a cup of coffee or calling a trusted friend. Don’t scream, throw things, have an attitude, snap at the family. Remember your family, esp. your kids, are watching you. How you handle stress will be a factor in how they handle stress as they grow up. If we show them we can cope, they will learn to as well. We are the thermometer in our home. If our temperature is up, you can guarantee below long everyone in the home will be “hot” too!
C – Create!! Yes, what you’re doing tonight is a great stress buster. A craft or hobby can help you relieve some of your stress. It feels good to create something that you are proud of. Create something or find something that gets your mind off of the stresses in your life. Commit to doing something about your stress and don’t let it simmer or grow. You will end up like a pressure cooker or water heater without a relief valve. One day you’ll blow!!!
D – Delegate! You may be stressed because you are doing too much. Sometimes we think that we have to do it all. There may be things that you can delegate to your husband or kids or a co-worker. Learn how to say “no”. Sometimes we need to sacrifice the “better” for the “best” in our lives.
E- Eliminate! You may just need to eliminate some things in your life. Relax your standards. De-complicate your life. Get rid of so many commitments. Your kids don’t have to be in every sport or club. Set some limits and see the stress disappear. You may have to set aside some hobbies or interests until the kids get older. You may even need to change jobs or quit completely. You may have less money to live on but you can find other ways to save and may just enjoy the time you are spending with the family. You may need to de-clutter your home or get the family on a budget. Finances are one of the main reasons we have stress. Evaluate what causes you the most stress and see what you can eliminate. It may just save your life!!

Ladies, I hope you will consider these steps and begin to implement them in your daily lives. Hopefully, you will come out shining like diamonds!! Trust God. He knows what He’s doing.

Valerie Keefe