The 30-Day Stress Detox Devotional

CAREY SCOTT

ISBN 978-1-63609-875-3

Text previously published as The 30-Day Prayer Challenge for a Less Stressed Life.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher. Reproduced text may not be used on the World Wide Web. No Barbour Publishing content may be used as artificial intelligence training data for machine learning, or in any similar software development.

Churches and other noncommercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without the express written permission of Barbour Publishing, provided that the text does not exceed 500 words or 5 percent of the entire book, whichever is less, and that the text is not material quoted from another publisher. When reproducing text from this book, include the following credit line: “From The 30-Day Stress Detox Devotional, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.”

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.

Printed in China.

Welcome to The 30-Day Stress Detox Devotional!

H H

Stress is something we will all face from time to time, but it doesn’t have to take us out. The reality is that relationships will be hard, parenting will breed worry, finances will create concern, health will cause fear, and we will experience a million other anxiety-inducing moments in our lives. But when we invite the Lord into our stress and strife, we can find peace. Let this book guide you into a new habit of seeking God’s help as you navigate the frustrating parts of life. After a daily reading that will help you see things the way God does, there are questions to help you learn from your own thoughts and experiences. Do your best to be honest as you explore your answers, because it’s the only way to really grow. Then, three prayers—morning, afternoon, and evening— will keep you thinking and praying about that topic all day so it will take root in your heart. Friend, do the 30-day challenge for yourself.

5

This gift of daily focus will not only cultivate a better understanding of how stress is affecting your life, but it will also create a deeper relationship with the One who promises to deliver you from it. And when you choose to walk out the truths you’ll learn each day, you’ll find perspective under pressure.

6

Day 1 H THE RESTORATION OF HAD HOPE

“But three days ago the high priest and the rulers of the people sentenced him to death and had him cruciﬁed. We all hoped that he was the one who would redeem and rescue Israel.”

L UKE 24:20–21 TPT

H H

They had hoped, but now it was gone. These two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus when a man—Jesus Himself—joined them. They didn’t recognize Him and began to lament about their dashed hope in the Messiah. They had held on to expectations of Jesus being the one, but no more. Their faith had been strong as they put their confidence in Him, optimistic He would restore the nation of Israel, but when Jesus hung on that cross and died, so did their hope.

Can you imagine the letdown they must have felt? They’d been desperately waiting for a Savior, and the person they believed was an answer to their prayers appeared to be nothing more than a mere mortal. Their hope turned into hoped. It became past tense instead of active. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think about how they must have felt, especially

8

after allowing themselves to grab on to the possibility.

The truth is that it’s risky to hope at all because there’s always a chance it will backfire. And when we decide to put our full confidence in someone or something, we hold on to hope with all we’ve got. It’s present tense. We put all our eggs in one basket. But when a marriage falls apart or a child walks away in defiance, our dreams for the family we’ve always wanted crater. When the promotion we’ve been working toward falls through, our aspirations for the money to pay off debt go down in flames. A broken friendship rocks our foundation. And getting a scary diagnosis when we’ve lived health-consciously most of our life can bring into question the eating and exercise plans we’ve chosen to follow. These things create selfdoubt. They cause us to question our wisdom and discernment. They move hope from current to expired. And in the end, hope is replaced by stress.

How do we keep anxiety at bay when life feels as if it’s falling apart? How do we refuse to partner with worry when people or plans don’t pan out? How do we keep hope in the present tense?

Choose to stay focused on the sovereignty

9

of God. Choose to believe He will keep His promises—the ones in the Bible and the ones whispered into your heart. Decide God is continuing to work things out by closing doors and opening new ones. And activate your faith, holding on to it with white knuckles and all the grit you can muster.

The left turn in your life didn’t catch God off guard. He is in every detail. He has your back. And when you take your had hopes to Him in prayer—surrendering your tears and fears—He will restore them to active hope again.

10

Ask Yourself This. . .

Where am I feeling hopeless in life right now?

Whom do I talk to or what do I usually do in my own strength to work through the stress of had hopes?

Can I honestly say I’ve taken them to the Lord?

What can I do today to restore my hope to active?

11

Prayer Prompts

Morning: Lay out your stress points to God and invite Him into your situation. Pray something like this: Father, I am at the end of me. I feel hopeless and helpless. Would You please show me where You are in my situation? I need to see You.

Afternoon: Tell God what your biggest areas of need are right now and that you are believing He will meet you there. Pray something like this: Father, I’m struggling in these areas the very most and am activating my faith that You will restore my hope and joy. I know You are for me!

Evening: Praise God for all He is doing right now that you may not be able to see. Pray something like this: Father, You are the God of blessings and miracles. You’re the one who can restore my had hope. I am expectant for Your hand in my life and grateful for all You will do!

12

Day 2

H THE KEY TO PEACE

Pile your troubles on GOD’s shoulders—he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out. He’ll never let good people topple into ruin.

P SALM 55:22 MSG

H H

For some reason, we’ve decided to put the weight of the world on our shoulders. We not only worry about all the things going wrong in our life, but we add to that the cares of others. We’re filled with anxiety about our kids who are struggling in friendships and schoolwork. We worry they don’t feel good about themselves as they navigate mean kids. We obsess over the fight with our husband, afraid he may throw his hands in the air and walk away. Our heart grieves our aging parents as we mourn the loss of who they were and are heartbroken as we watch the effects of time or disease overtake them, stressing about the details of their care. We worry about our friends battling their own Goliaths. We’re concerned for our country as we watch an increase in hate and decline in morality. The financial struggles of our church or our charity of choice keep us up at night, searching for solutions to ease their stress and strain. And the list goes on and on.

14

As women, we are innate caretakers. We have large storage tanks of compassion and empathy for the hurting. God created us to be relational creatures who need community. And we can multitask with the best of them. How wonderful that God made us this way! It seems only natural then that we would want to carry the emotional load for those we care about. Our heart for them is good, and we want to help however we can. The problem is that too often we do this in our own strength, and it leaves us overwhelmed and eventually ineffective. Even more, rather than opening up and sharing our own troubles, we choose to keep them buried so we don’t inconvenience or tax others. Including God. We rely on self to handle it all. We try to fix it. And it becomes too heavy to carry and we fall into the pit of despair and discouragement. That was never God’s plan. God is your partner as you love and care for yourself and others. You are His hands and feet, and He is your source and sustainer. It’s in collaboration with Him that you can have the impact you desire. He is also your best emotional outlet because the Lord has broad shoulders to carry the hurts and heartaches that threaten to pull you under. And He invites you to pile your troubles—the ones you’re facing or the ones you are helping others bear—on Him.

15

When you take them to God and ask for His intervention, you’re recognizing that you are not the savior; He is. And that single act of surrender brings with it a beautiful gift of peace, settling in your spirit that you are not alone and help is on the way.

16

Ask Yourself This. . .

What are the big stressors I’m feeling today?

Why do I put so much pressure on myself to hold everyone together and fix everyone’s problems, including my own?

Do I truly take my troubles to the Lord, expecting His help?

What can I do right now that will lift my burdens and give me peace?

17

Prayer Prompts

Morning: List out your burdens to God and ask for His help. Pray something like this: Father, I confess I haven’t asked for Your help and have instead tried to handle it all myself. Thank You for caring about the things that trouble me. Here is what’s worrying me right now. . . .

Afternoon: Ask God to fill you with the peace of Jesus. Pray something like this: Father, I’m struggling and stressed out and in desperate need of the peace only You can give. Would You exchange my worries for a stillness in my spirit? Would You quiet my fears? Would You bring harmony to my heartache?

Evening: Thank God that He’s willing to carry your burdens and always there to help. Pray something like this: Father, my heart is full of gratitude for You. I’m humbled by Your unfailing and unwavering love for me. Thank You for being a safe place to share my troubles and a strong protector when I feel weak and overwhelmed. I love You!

18

Day 3 H BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT

“Lord, help me to know how ﬂeeting my time on earth is. Help me to know how limited is my life and that I’m only here but for a moment more. What a brief time you’ve given me to live! Compared to you my lifetime is nothing at all! Nothing more than a puﬀ of air, I’m gone so swiftly.”

P SALM 39:4–5 TPT

H H

Have you ever said, “I need more time in the day!”? Or maybe you’ve thought how life would be easier if you had a personal assistant to help. We’re so maxed out that many of us would love to hire a nanny for our kids and a cleaning service for our homes to free us up to meet other demands. We utilize apps that promise to help simplify our lives and read books that promise to help us manage time like a boss. And even with all of that, we still find ourselves enslaved to our calendars, upside down with priorities, and bulging with appointments and tasks every day. It feels like there’s simply too much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it, and we’re left feeling overwhelmed. This kind of craziness keeps us from feeling in control and effective because we major on the minors and minor on the majors. In the end, we’re left with

20

a mountain of guilt and frustration that leaves us stressed out. We feel helpless and battle hopelessness that things can change.

The psalmist in today’s verses asks a very interesting question. He wants the Lord to provide him with a divine reminder his life on earth is limited. Why do you think that is? It most certainly isn’t because he wants more stress as he realizes he’s running out of time. It’s not to see what else he can pack into the day. Consider that he is asking because he’s looking for perspective. He is hoping for focus so he can use his time and energy on what matters the most. Maybe he is looking for permission to not be everything to everyone so he can create margin for the right things.

What if you asked God for the same thing? Chances are, priorities are out of order somewhere. Maybe there are items on your to-do list that aren’t vital, or vital things that need more of your attention. Maybe your calendar could use some decluttering and refocusing. Maybe you could work-block your day to help create better time management. Ask God to help you order your life so you’re not frazzled and frenzied. Ask Him to show you where you need to focus your energy and effort. Friend, stress will melt away when you live and love following God’s priorities for your life, trusting Him to

21

give you everything you’ll need to navigate your days with intentionality. Grab hold of your time here on earth! Make the most of it! Choose to prioritize as you listen to God’s leading. Learn to manage your time according to His plan. Don’t skimp on those relationships or activities that top your list because they matter the most. And be the kind of woman who pursues living her best life and loving with gusto.

22

Ask Yourself This. . .

Honestly, how am I with managing my time?

Do I see the connection between forgetting to prioritize my day and my stress level?

What do I believe God is telling me about the value of time management?

What needs to change so I can begin to take control of my day in positive ways?

23

Prayer Prompts

Morning: Confess the ways you’ve allowed life to overwhelm you. Pray something like this: Father, I now see the connection between my crazy life and the stress I’m feeling. I’m sorry I’ve allowed these areas to get my time and attention over the ones I know are more important. I’m ready to make some changes.

Afternoon: Ask God to speak into your heart His priorities for your life. Pray something like this: Father, I want to know Your plans and hopes for my life here on earth. Please give me the spiritual ears to hear You. I am choosing to refocus my time in ways that honor You and benefit me. I’m listening.

Evening: Praise the Lord for being alive and active in your life. Pray something like this: Father, what a privilege to serve a God who cares so much about helping me organize my time so I can thrive. I’m thankful for Your willingness to teach me to prioritize and effectively reduce the stress I’ve been feeling. You’re amazing!

24

Day 4

H THE OTHERS-FOCUSED AGENDA

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook