Today’s lesson is about handling stress. I hope this theme will of use to youth ministries, family devotionals and family home evenings.

Object lesson: A tea pot is useful in heating water and it notifies you that it is ready by blowing its top. The valve is open and pressure is relieved in a steady steam. A soda in a lieder bottle might spray out of the container if opened abruptly. But if you twist the top open let out a little pressure and quickly close it again, you’ve only released a little of the pressure. Open it again and release additional pressure one after another until you can open the bottle completely and you won’t get sprayed.
Here are some ideas to handle pressure:

-Count to ten.
-Try to see the other side of the disagreement even if just for communication purposes.
-Set realistic goals.
-Plan for various scenarios in circumstances you think might have friction.
-Prayer: God is a good listener and gives good advice through personal revelation specific to you.

Brainstorm with your family or class on ways they handle stress and discuss what certain attempts work or don’t work.

In tomorrow’s blog of Lists, Tasks and Projects, Oh my, I’ll provide additional ideas on handling stress as well as links to some useful articles.

Please feel free to give additional suggestions you have on this topic in the comment section of the blog/site.