Lesson 3

Stress is a physiological reaction in which several defencemechanisms take part in order to deal with a threatening or demanding situation.

When this natural response is excessive, there is an overload of tension and some illnesses and pathological anomalies appear, preventing the human body from developing and working correctly. Some of its symptoms are: memory problems, nervousness, lack of concentration and others.

Stress can be produced by times of success and personal fulfilment.

A good example is Elijah’s life; he experienced God’s direct intervention in some moments.

Stress can be also produced by hard decisions and tough situations.

Elijah suffered tension by negative causes in some moments during his ministry. That tension alternated with successful times.

Accumulating stress by positive and negative causes led Elijah to a moment of emotional fall-out.

His reaction to that fall-out was to desire to lose his life and feeling useless, desperate and lonely.

“Satan has taken advantage of the weakness of humanity. And he will still work in the same way. Whenever one is encompassed with clouds, perplexed by circumstances, or afflicted by poverty or distress, Satan is at hand to tempt and annoy. He attacks our weak points of character. He seeks to shake our confidence in God, who suffers such a condition of things to exist” (The Desire of Ages, p. 120)

Sleeping Eating

ExercisingPlanning your activities

1. Physical activities

2. Meditation and communion alone with God

“All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God… They need to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God… Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, he who is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts”

E.G.W. (Conflict and Courage, November 30)

3. Relationship with friends and fraternization

“How good and pleasant it iswhen brothers live together in unity!It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.It is as if the dew of Hermonwere falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore” Psalm 133

4. Serving, helping others, dedication, devotion

“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfilthe law of Christ” (Galatians, 6: 2)

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”(Philippians, 2: 4)

Rest

Meditation and

communion with God

Fraterni-zation

Helping others

The anti-stress capsule (4 in 1)

ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?

DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?

APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?

PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?

TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?

ADAPT it!

Teaching Approach

Effective for

SMALL GROUPS

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Emotions