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Pastor's Corner by Larry Tong

September, 2006

On every first Monday of September, we enjoy a “paid” day-off because over one-hundred years ago, this country observed Labor Day as a legal holiday. It was created by the Labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American laborers. Its purpose is to give tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. So, we have a day-off to enjoy and relax with families and friends. I would also like to take this time to acknowledge all the godly laborers who contribute to the Kingdom of God. You don’t even get pay for doing a fine job. As your pastor, I would like to show my appreciation for a job well done. Take a day off and relax!

In order to maintain good mental health at work and ministries, we need to know how to relax. Too much stress will create physical problems and conflicts with other. Therefore, we need to learn how to release our daily stress. Recently, someone sent out a list of things Christians can do to reduce stress. Due to the limited space of the newsletter, I chose ten out of thirty-six items listed to share with you. I also added a short comment to them:

  1. Pray—remember that God is always on your side to help. Start your day by seeking advices from His Words and telling Him your plans for the day.
  2. Go to bed and get up on time—don’t give yourself excuses to stay up late. Adequate rest helps to reduce stress. Stress is automatic when you are always in a rush.
  3. 3. Learn to say No—realize you can’t do everything, and you don’t have to carry the whole world on your shoulder.
  4. Simplify and unclutter your life—simplicity can go a long way. Don’t make life too complicated. For most, it’s already a mess. Your plate has its capacity; don’t try to overfill it.
  5. Take one day at a time—yesterday is history; focus and finish your daily task before starting a new project for tomorrow.
  6. Separate worries from concerns—worry doesn’t help the situation; it will only increase stress. If you can do something about it, do it; otherwise, don’t worry.
  7. Live within your budget—if you can control spending, you have already unloaded a heavy stress of debt.
  8. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut)—saying too much or saying the wrong thing will produce stress for you and others.
  9. Develop a forgiving attitude, and be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most)—an unforgiving spirit will cause more stress to yourself than you could ever imagined.
  10. Laugh, and laugh some more! Laugh will bring a lighter spirit and bring more oxygen to the brain.

I hope this will help you unload some of the stress you have been carrying.

Pastor Larry

每逢九月份第一個星期一，我們都可以享受一天的有薪假期，這是因為在一百多年前，這個國家定立〝勞工節〞為法定假期。它是由於一個〝工人運動〞而產生的，為要特別紀念美國勞工對社會及經濟所作的貢獻，它的目的是回報工人們對我們國家的強盛、繁榮和穩定所付出的努力，所以我們可以與家人和朋友享受一天的假期。我亦願意藉這機會來多謝所有為神的國度而努力的神的僕人。你們並不支取分文，但仍然努力事奉；作為你們的牧者，我願意為你們的忠心多謝你們，休息一天來輕鬆一下吧！

要在工作和事奉中保持健康的心態，我們需要知道如何去放鬆。太多的壓力會造成很多身體上的毛病，亦容易與別人發生磨擦。所以，我們要學習每天如何去減壓。最近，有人從電郵中發放一份清單，列出基督徒為著減壓可以做的事情。因為篇幅關係，我只可以選出36項中的10項來與大家分享，我亦加上一些我個人對它們的意見：

  1. 祈禱：緊記著神是永遠在你的身旁來幫助你，在每天開始的時候，就從祂的話語中尋求指引，並向祂陳明你一天的計劃。
  2. 準時起牀和就寢：不要給自己藉口去遲睡，充足的睡眠可以減低壓力；而當你做事的時候常常匆匆忙忙的話，壓力就隨之而來了。
  3. 學習拒絕：明白你不能做所有的工作，兼且你並不需要把全世界都放在自已的肩頭上。
  4. 簡化及整理你的生活：簡樸是能幫助持久的，不要使生活復習化，它已經夠凌亂了。你的能力是有限的，不要嘗試去做超過你能力範圍以外的事情。
  5. 每次只做一天要做的事情：昨天已成過去；在開始明天新的工作前，專注去完成今天的工作吧。
  6. 分別憂慮和關注：憂慮是於事無補的；它只會帶給你更多壓力。如果有什麼你可以去做的，就去做；否則，就不要為它而擔心。
  7. 量入為出：如果你可以控制你的支出，你已經放下負債所帶來的極大壓力了。
  8. 慎言：說話太多，或不合宜的言語會為自己和別人製造很多的壓力。
  9. 培養一顆寬恕的心、並且對不友善的人表示友善﹝可能這是他們最需要的﹞：不肯寬恕的態度所帶來極大的壓力是超過你所能想像的。
  10. 歡笑、更多的歡笑！歡笑會帶給你輕快的心情，又會帶給你惱袋更多的氧氣。

我希望這些可以減輕一些你一直在承受著的壓力。

唐若愚牧師

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