How to eliminate stress

Margin is the amount available beyond what we actually need. 

Margin is the space between what I actually have, and what I have to have. 

Stress levels go up without margin. When margin decreases, stress increases. Our focus narrows. 

We are more self absorbed. We have less room for error. Our relationships suffer.

Relationships take place in the margins. Intimacy goes away. Why don't we create margin? 

We are afraid of missed opportunities. We try to keep up with others. 

We don't want our kids to fall behind other kids. We are afraid that we might not matter.

Giving up personal margin is a recipe for failure. God creates us with limits.

We can only be in one place at a time. We are relational beings. We are born from a relationship. 

We are to have a lifestyle that cultivates relationships.

We must have Sabbaths (rests) because we shall not pack our schedules full. 

The year of Jubilee is a year not to plant. Tithe for thou shall not spend all your money.

We know God in the margin. We must create space, and develop a sustainable lifestyle. 

When margins are squeezed in, God gets squeezed out. Surrender to God your schedule, and give God your fears.

Time is limited. All time is going to be spent. Our lives are winding down.

Someone will determine how our limited time will be spent. Important things get replaced by urgent things.

Say to God that I will surrender my life and time to You. You know how much I have left. 

Every single day matters. Days are numbered for the wise in heart. (Ps. 90:12) Prioritize accordingly.

Ask what is the wise thing to do? Wisdom will lead to margin. When we prioritize correctly, this increases capacity. 

When you put things in the right order, capacity increases. (Matthew 6:33) 

Make God 1st in your time and money. Force margin. I'm not really good at a whole lot of things. 

When I'm doing what I am good at, I accomplish a lot. Of all the things I'm asked to do, I am only good at a couple of things. 

Discover what you do well, and focus on it. Then, delegate your weaknesses. Write down your idea job description.

(Sermon notes from Andy Stanley)