Watkins Stress Formula

I read a number of ministry magazines each month. This month in my 'Rev!' magazine (rev.org) James Watkins wrote an article on "The Watkins Stress Formula." He has a web site if you would like to read more of his stuff, www.jameswatkins.com. Here is his formula:

YZ (Your Zeal) > (greater than) AR (Areas of responsibility) = C (composure.)

YZ > AR = C

In other words if your zeal or enthusiasm is greater than the areas that you are responsible for then you will have or experience composure. Of course if your zeal or enthusiasm is not greater than your areas of responsibility then you have STRESS..

I really liked this formula, probably because I totally agree with it. You know a good book is usually one you agree with. Of course keeping this formula balanced in your favor is the challenge.

Our zeal depends on many factors. Personality can determine our zeal - some people are more positive and enthusiastic than others by nature. Health, relationships, finances just to name a few. I know we are not to be moved by circumstances but these are things we must battle each day. Some days I do better than others. God says to think on those things that will build us up or another way to say this is to build up our ZEAL.

Philippians 4:8 NASB Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

We can also keep the formula balanced by reducing those things that we are responsible for. Get rid of things on our to-do-list. Sometimes this is not an easy task since some things are forced on us by life, jobs, family. When I say forced on I mean we have no choice. Of course this too can be a very gray area. What one person says is a must another would say is an option.

So here is where our dependency on God becomes critical. Without His guidance we will never find balance with this formula, never find balance in life. We will ALWAYS be swinging from one end to the other. Up one moment and down the next.

Psalms 32:8 NLT The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

My prayer for you today is that you're on the balanced side of this formula. That you have composure not stress. But if you are stressed remember that God is a deliverer. He is there to bring you back to the favored, balance side of this equation.

Psalms 144:1-2 NASB Blessed be the LORD, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle; 2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, . . .