Stress U Out Series

Stress U Out

Series: Melodrama or Mellow-drama - Act 2

Introduction:

In the drama of life, how do you respond?

There are many things that are beyond our control: the person that yells at us, the person that cuts us off in traffic, the store clerk that talks on the phone instead of helping us, the employee that never seems to be there, the spouse or child that pushes your buttons, etc.

Life is like a drama. We all have these crossroads in life.

But will our lives be a “Melodrama or Mellow-drama”.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a melodrama as “a drama with sensational action, extravagant emotions, stereotyped characters, etc.”

In other words, it is making something bigger than it really is or turning a situation into something emotionally extravagant. Sound familiar?

Richard Carlson in his book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff...” writes “In dramatic fashion, we blow things out of proportion, and make a big deal out of little things. We forget that life isn’t as bad as we’re making it out to be. We also forget that when we’re blowing things out of proportion, we are the ones doing the blowing.” (page 147)

In Act 1 of “Melodrama or Mellow-drama” we looked at the character Worry Wart.

In Act 2 of “Melodrama or Mellow-drama” let’s examine Stress U Out!

Act 2, Scene 1: Who is Stress U Out?

So who is Stress U Out? Have you ever met Stress U Out? Or maybe you know his brother: Bum U Out? But who is he really?

Stress U Out is has had such a severe strain that he is now deformed. We have no idea if this was a mental or physical strain or where the pressure came from. We can only see the results.

Stress U Out is always at the doctor as he gets older with more and more stress related health problems. The more health problems he has, the more stressed out he gets.

Act 2, Scene 2: Why does Stress U Out get Stressed?

What makes Stress U Out stressed? And does it really accomplish anything?

Some personalities have more of a struggle with stress then others.

And Stress U Out’s personality is at the top of the stress food chain.

At times Stress U Out may look laid back without a care in the world, no one knows what is going on inside except for him and God.

Dr. Emerson, a Christian psychologist, gives 5 reasons why Stress U Out gets stressed.

· He is super sensitive to criticism

· He is excessively aware of his weaknesses

· He is overly prideful of his achievements and successes

· He is overly jealous over others successes

· He has unattainable ambitions

Act 2, Scene 3: How to Defeat Stress U Out’s Stress?

How do we turn our character Stress U Out from a melodrama to a mellow-drama?

1 Kings 19:1-4 - Do you think that Elijah has met Stress U Out? Do you think his is Stress U Out?

So what did Elijah do that Stress U Out can learn from?

Þ Stress U Out needs proper Rest - 1 Kings 19:5-8

In the case of Elijah he slept. But rest is not always sleep.

Rest is something that gets our mind on other things. Maybe reading, watching a good movie, being alone, taking a walk, etc.

Our body needs rest but our mind also needs rest.

Our body also needs extra care. Notice that he rested, slept and ate proper food.

Having a bag of M&M’s might seem like it makes us feel better, but actually it causes a break down in our bodies that multiplies the stress.

Þ Stress U Out must Release his Frustration - 1 Kings 19:9-10

Tell it all to God. He already knows all about it but it feels good to tell it.

Let go and give those unrealistic expectations to God. Allow Him to handle them.

Talking it through makes us feel better. But instead of telling everyone who will listen to your problems, tell it to God. He is a good listener. And the Bible says:

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.

He knows what you are going through. He has been stressed too.

Þ Stress U Out must Refocus his Attention - 1 Kings 19:11-12

When Stress U Out is stressed, where is his attention? On his problems and himself.

We must refocus our attention on God. He is the only one who can truly solve the problem or problems we are stressed over.

God had the solution to Elijah’s problems and He has the solutions to ours.