2025-11-20
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Is your mind besieged with fear and worry? Read these seven Scriptures prayerfully and carefully, and use them in prayer:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).
“The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace” (Psalm 29:11 NLT).
“Give your worries to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will never let good people down” (Psalm 55:22 NCV).
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).
“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT).
“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT).
“Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24 NKJV).
Soul food: 2 Chr 29-31; John 12:37-50; Ps 102:18-28; Prov 27:13-16
1 Petrus 5:7 NLV
Is jou gedagtes met vrees en bekommernis beleër? Lees dan hierdie sewe Skrifgedeeltes versigtig en biddend:
‘Moet oor niks bekommerd wees nie, maar bid oor alles. Vra alles wat julle nodig het van God terwyl julle Hom ook dank vir alles wat Hy doen. As julle so bid, sal julle God se vrede beleef. Hierdie vrede is wonderliker as wat ‘n mens ooit kan dink. Omdat julle aan Christus behoort, sal die vrede van God julle harte en gedagtes soos ‘n veiligheidswag oppas’ (Filippense 4:6-7 NLV).
‘Die Here gee krag aan sy volk. Die Here seën sy volk met vrede’ (Psalm 29:11 NLV).
‘Gee jou kommer oor aan die Here. Hy sal vir jou sorg. Hy sal gelowiges nie teleurstel nie’ (Psalm 55:23 NLV).
‘U bewaar elkeen wat op U vertrou in vrede, die mense wie se gedagtes op U gerig is’ (Jesaja 26:3 NLV).
‘Ek laat vir julle vrede na; my vrede deel Ek met julle. Ek gee nie soos die wêreld gee nie. Julle moet regtig nie ontsteld of beangs word nie’ (Johannes 14:27 NLV).
‘Maar gelukkig is dié mense wat op die Here vertrou en hulle verwagtinge in Hom stel. Hulle is soos bome wat langs ‘n rivier staan, hulle wortels reik diep tot by die water. Hitte bedreig hulle nie, hulle blare bly groen. Lang maande van droogte pla hulle ook nie, hulle hou nie op om vrugte te dra nie’ (Jeremia 17:7-8 NLV).
‘Jy sal kan gaan slaap sonder om bang te wees. Jy sal rustig kan bly slaap’ (Spreuke 3:24 NLV).
Sielskos: 2 Kro 29-31; Joh 12:37-50; Ps 102:18-28; Spr 27:13-16
2025-11-19
Spreuke 17:22 NLV
Salomo het geskryf: ‘Ek het daarom besluit dat wat die mens eintlik nodig het, vreugde is. Niks is beter as om te eet en te drink en die lewe te geniet nie. Dít kan die mens help om die sinloosheid te verwerk van hierdie lewe wat God ons gegee het’ (Prediker 8:15 DB).
As jy wys is, sal jy hierdie woorde ter harte neem. Die impak van lag is goed gedokumenteer. Studies wys dat dit bloeddruk verlaag en hipertensie verminder. Dit verlaag streshormone en maak die longe en liggaamsweefsels van gestoorde, verouderde lug skoon. Dit verhoog immuunfunksies in die liggaam. Bo en behalwe al hierdie voordele, stel lag endorfiene vry – daardie ‘goedvoel’-chemikalieë in die brein wat jou gelukkig laat voel. Dis hoekom die Bybel sê: “‘n Vrolike mens is soos goeie medisyne…” Maak dus gebruik van elke geleentheid om lekker te lag. Lag vir jou foute – veral by die werk. Laat vaar die supervrou- of superman-beeld en begin pret hê.
Dit beteken nie dat jy jou standaarde van uitnemendheid verslap nie; dit dui net aan dat jy bewus is van die feit dat jy en diegene rondom jou menslik is. Geniet dit dus; wees gereed vir ‘n grappie of twee. Moenie toelaat dat die lewe se druk en negatiewe omstandighede jou sin vir humor uitwis nie. ‘n Gelag weerspieël positiewe emosies en maak dit vir ander mense aangenaam om rondom jou te wees.
Niemand geniet ‘n suurknol nie; lag kan ook jou gedagtes van dit wat vir jou stres veroorsaak, aftrek. Lag dus gereeld en onthou: ‘…die blydskap wat die Here gee, sal julle krag wees!’ (Nehemia 8:10 NLV).
Sielskos: 2 Kro 25-28; Joh 12:20-36; Ps 102:12-17; Spr 27:10-12
Proverbs 17:22 NKJV
Solomon wrote, “I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness” (Ecclesiastes 8:15 NLT).
If you are wise, you will take those words to heart. The impact of laughter is well documented. Studies show it lowers blood pressure and reduces hypertension. It reduces stress hormones and cleanses the lungs and body tissues of stored stale air, because laughter empties more air out than it takes in. It increases immune functions in the body. On top of all these benefits, laughter triggers the release of endorphins – those “feel good” chemicals in the brain that make you feel happy These are the identical chemicals released when some people, after a prolonged period of running, experience a runner’s high. That’s why the Bible says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine.” So, take advantage of every opportunity to have a good hearty laugh. Laugh at your mistakes – especially on the job. Shed the superwoman or superman image, and start having fun.
This doesn’t mean you have relaxed your standards of excellence; it just indicates you are aware of the fact that you and those around you are human. So have some fun; be a good sport. Don’t allow life’s pressures and negative circumstances to snuff out your sense of humour. Laughter reflects positive emotions and makes you a lot more enjoyable to be around.
Nobody enjoys a sourpuss; laughter can also take your mind off what’s stressing you. So, laugh often, and remember, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).
Soul food: 2 Chr 25-28; John 12:20-36; Ps 102:12-17; Prov 27:10-12
2025-11-18
Colossians 3:15 NLT
How much peace do you display? How well do you respond to the difficulties in your workplace? Are you always tense or complaining? Is your desk neat and organized, or are there huge piles of paper all around? Disorder can be mentally unsettling and stress inducing, and wear down your peace. What about your overall behaviour; are you always fuming over coworkers’ mistakes? Have you learned to stop sweating the small stuff? Have you stopped to think about what a poor testimony it is not to reflect peace, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit? “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).
What about your daily drive to work? Do you sit down in your car with the aim of keeping a peaceful atmosphere no matter the circumstances you encounter on the road? When was the last time you prayed for a bad or unkind driver? Do you play calming music? The right music can be an excellent source of peace.
When King Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, his servants told him, “Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again” (1 Samuel 16:16 NLT). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27 NIV). That means wherever you go, you can take the peace of God with you.
Soul food: 2 Chr 22-24; John 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 27:7-9
