Working with people responding to crisis? Here is a series of articles that can help.
Preacher's Magazine Open Letter
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Teens and Crisis
HELPING TEENAGERS WITH STRESS
Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress everyday and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope.
Some sources of stress for teens might include:
Your Child (1998 Harper Collins)/Your Adolescent (1999 Harper Collins).
Article from: http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsFam/66.htm
Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress everyday and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope.
Some sources of stress for teens might include:
- school demands and frustrations
- negative thoughts and feelings about themselves
changes in their bodies - problems with friends and/or peers at school
- unsafe living environment/neighborhood
- separation or divorce of parents
- chronic illness or severe problems in the family
- death of a loved one
- moving or changing schools
- taking on too many activities or having too high expectations
- family financial problems
Some teens become overloaded with stress. When it happens, inadequately managed stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use.
When we perceive a situation as difficult or painful, changes occur in our minds and bodies to prepare us to respond to danger. This "fight, flight, or freeze" response includes faster heart and breathing rate, increased blood to muscles of arms and legs, cold or clammy hands and feet, upset stomach and/or a sense of dread.
The same mechanism that turns on the stress response can turn it off. As soon as we decide that a situation is no longer dangerous, changes can occur in our minds and bodies to help us relax and calm down. This "relaxation response" includes decreased heart and breathing rate and a sense of well being. Teens that develop a "relaxation response" and other stress management skills feel less helpless and have more choices when responding to stress.
Parents can help their teen in these ways:
- Monitor if stress is affecting their teen's health, behavior, thoughts, or feelings
- Listen carefully to teens and watch for overloading
- Learn and model stress management skills
- Support involvement in sports and other pro-social activities
Teens can decrease stress with the following behaviors and techniques:
- Exercise and eat regularly
- Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation
- Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco
- Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques)
- Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite firm and not overly aggressive or passive ways: ("I feel angry when you yell at me" "Please stop yelling.")
- Rehearse and practice situations which cause stress. One example is taking a speech class if talking in front of a class makes you anxious
- Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks
- Decrease negative self talk: challenge negative thoughts about yourself with alternative neutral or positive thoughts. "My life will never get better" can be transformed into "I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help"
- Learn to feel good about doing a competent or "good enough" job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others
- Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress
- Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way
Your Child (1998 Harper Collins)/Your Adolescent (1999 Harper Collins).
Article from: http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsFam/66.htm
Missing today...
Evangelism is missing today: 96 % Never Share Their Faith
This article is taken from Focus on the Family… When people are hurting, sharing good news and hope in Christ is the best thing you can provide.
>From: "Pastor's Weekly Briefing" <pwb@fotf.org>>by H.B. London, Jr.This past week, I received a copy of an interview with my friend, James Merritt, President of the Southern Baptist Convention and an Atlanta-area pastor. In the release, Merritt expressed his concern regarding the lack of passion for evangelism he sees among Southern Baptists -- which just happens to be the nation's largest non-Catholic denomination. His concern is one all of us should have for the church in North America.
Pastor Merritt made some informative observations. For instance, "It takes 40 Southern Baptists to win one convert." How many members of your church does it take to win a convert? He also noted, "96 percent of all Southern Baptists have never shared their faith." What percentage of your congregation would you estimate share their faith? He stated, "71 percent of Christians say we ought to respect other people's rights to believe what they want to believe and leave them alone." His opinion is that he would not give up his right or responsibility to do all he could to convert a person to what he believes is the only way to salvation -- Jesus Christ.
I am sure some of you might question his comments because we all approach evangelism from our own understanding -- but the passion part is very correct. Paul wrote, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22).
Copyright (c) 2002, Focus on the Family - All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
This article is taken from Focus on the Family… When people are hurting, sharing good news and hope in Christ is the best thing you can provide.
>From: "Pastor's Weekly Briefing" <pwb@fotf.org>>by H.B. London, Jr.This past week, I received a copy of an interview with my friend, James Merritt, President of the Southern Baptist Convention and an Atlanta-area pastor. In the release, Merritt expressed his concern regarding the lack of passion for evangelism he sees among Southern Baptists -- which just happens to be the nation's largest non-Catholic denomination. His concern is one all of us should have for the church in North America.
Pastor Merritt made some informative observations. For instance, "It takes 40 Southern Baptists to win one convert." How many members of your church does it take to win a convert? He also noted, "96 percent of all Southern Baptists have never shared their faith." What percentage of your congregation would you estimate share their faith? He stated, "71 percent of Christians say we ought to respect other people's rights to believe what they want to believe and leave them alone." His opinion is that he would not give up his right or responsibility to do all he could to convert a person to what he believes is the only way to salvation -- Jesus Christ.
I am sure some of you might question his comments because we all approach evangelism from our own understanding -- but the passion part is very correct. Paul wrote, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22).
Copyright (c) 2002, Focus on the Family - All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
REFLECTIVE BLOG
REFLECTIVE BLOG: EXPERIENCES FOR THOSE IN PRISIONS AND JAILS: Alpha Jail Bible Study – The Power to Transform Lives (written by Rick Carder)
I have been a part of the Alpha Bible Study for nearly three years. I have seen God use Alpha in powerful ways - especially at the Du Page County Jail. This 10-week study brings the reality of Christ LOVE through a series of dialog and thought-provoking questions.
DuPage Jail: The DuPage County Jail is the 2nd largest county jail in Illinois. Over 800 people are held at the Wheaton facility every day – over 14,000 travel its doors every year.
I SERVE: I have had a jail service at DuPage for 6 years now...teaching classes, worship services, computer training, and one-on-one counseling. I currently volunteer as a Chaplain and teach a Thursday Night Alpha Bible Study for men.
FIRST START: When we first started our class - we were not sure of its success. It took us 6 months to be approved to start another program... We were given a NOT-SO-IDEAL time - competing with CSI (one of my favorites). We were given the hottest room in the jail (4 UVW) -- literally, the room temperature is in excess of 80 degrees most weeks.
HOWEVER - God was working...our first class held 2 (who admitted to coming just to get out of their POD.) ...But God had some business to take care of...and eventually the group grew and we had a waiting list!
THE POWER TO TRANSFORM: I believe that Alpha has a special anointing from God - Nicki Gumble's materials are incredible but the power lays in the Word of God...the Word that NEVER returns VOID. I have seen many whose lives have been changed - God has done it through the power of the Word and His Holy Spirit!
STORY ONE: Jay* -- I know Jay's family - his sister lived with our family for about a year. (We are Foster Parents with Probation). Jay is awaiting a decision by the court - HIS LIFE IS ON HOLD! It was just a few months back that I came to know Jay...it was during the funeral of his brother, age 28 who died; leaving a wife, Chrissy and 18 month old, Cassy. I did the funeral for him.
Jay was devastated! I met with Jay and invited him to attend Alpha. He was bitter about his brother’s death and blamed God. I told him that we can help answer his doubts about God and give him new hope. He reluctantly agreed. (It helped that his sister (our former foster child) and her mother ORDERED HIM TO ATTEND)
THE CHANGE: Jay had only come for a few weeks when he indicated that he prayed to receive Christ...It was a couple of weeks later that Jay drew me this picture (show image).
STORY TWO: Bruce* -- Bruce is a very unique man. He is over 6 feet tall - muscular - African American who grew up in church - but drugs and alcohol have robbed this man of his dignity and faith. (Bruce will tell you that he committed crime because it fed his addictions.) Bruce is now in a rehabilitation program in Elgin.
Bruce is a good example of how a prodigal’s son can come home! Bruce came to Christ through another ministry at the jail but it was Alpha that gave him back his JOYFUL SONG! Bruce now sings for Jesus.
I can't get into all the change he testifies to receiving but I can give you just a taste of the song that Jesus has restored.
Since we have begun our class - now on our third - we have had over 50 attend...there have been over 30 that have prayed to receive Christ in just our first class session. The praise goes to the Lord who is the author and finisher of our faith!
*names changed for privacy
---------
Isaiah 61:1, 3, 7 read - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners freed...I will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair...Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy."
-------I wish I could tell you about Luster, John, Jeremiah, Will, Kennard....
Bruce once wrote us a song - our theme song: "Rejoicing will come; these tests build character, for we have already won. Our Sentence is really light, compared to what we really deserve. Our Sentence was our blessing, to our surprise. What the devil meant for evil, God bestowed to us His grace. His mercies have allowed us to get back into the race...."
I have been a part of the Alpha Bible Study for nearly three years. I have seen God use Alpha in powerful ways - especially at the Du Page County Jail. This 10-week study brings the reality of Christ LOVE through a series of dialog and thought-provoking questions.
DuPage Jail: The DuPage County Jail is the 2nd largest county jail in Illinois. Over 800 people are held at the Wheaton facility every day – over 14,000 travel its doors every year.
I SERVE: I have had a jail service at DuPage for 6 years now...teaching classes, worship services, computer training, and one-on-one counseling. I currently volunteer as a Chaplain and teach a Thursday Night Alpha Bible Study for men.
FIRST START: When we first started our class - we were not sure of its success. It took us 6 months to be approved to start another program... We were given a NOT-SO-IDEAL time - competing with CSI (one of my favorites). We were given the hottest room in the jail (4 UVW) -- literally, the room temperature is in excess of 80 degrees most weeks.
HOWEVER - God was working...our first class held 2 (who admitted to coming just to get out of their POD.) ...But God had some business to take care of...and eventually the group grew and we had a waiting list!
THE POWER TO TRANSFORM: I believe that Alpha has a special anointing from God - Nicki Gumble's materials are incredible but the power lays in the Word of God...the Word that NEVER returns VOID. I have seen many whose lives have been changed - God has done it through the power of the Word and His Holy Spirit!
STORY ONE: Jay* -- I know Jay's family - his sister lived with our family for about a year. (We are Foster Parents with Probation). Jay is awaiting a decision by the court - HIS LIFE IS ON HOLD! It was just a few months back that I came to know Jay...it was during the funeral of his brother, age 28 who died; leaving a wife, Chrissy and 18 month old, Cassy. I did the funeral for him.
Jay was devastated! I met with Jay and invited him to attend Alpha. He was bitter about his brother’s death and blamed God. I told him that we can help answer his doubts about God and give him new hope. He reluctantly agreed. (It helped that his sister (our former foster child) and her mother ORDERED HIM TO ATTEND)
THE CHANGE: Jay had only come for a few weeks when he indicated that he prayed to receive Christ...It was a couple of weeks later that Jay drew me this picture (show image).
STORY TWO: Bruce* -- Bruce is a very unique man. He is over 6 feet tall - muscular - African American who grew up in church - but drugs and alcohol have robbed this man of his dignity and faith. (Bruce will tell you that he committed crime because it fed his addictions.) Bruce is now in a rehabilitation program in Elgin.
Bruce is a good example of how a prodigal’s son can come home! Bruce came to Christ through another ministry at the jail but it was Alpha that gave him back his JOYFUL SONG! Bruce now sings for Jesus.
I can't get into all the change he testifies to receiving but I can give you just a taste of the song that Jesus has restored.
Since we have begun our class - now on our third - we have had over 50 attend...there have been over 30 that have prayed to receive Christ in just our first class session. The praise goes to the Lord who is the author and finisher of our faith!
*names changed for privacy
---------
Isaiah 61:1, 3, 7 read - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners freed...I will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair...Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy."
-------I wish I could tell you about Luster, John, Jeremiah, Will, Kennard....
Bruce once wrote us a song - our theme song: "Rejoicing will come; these tests build character, for we have already won. Our Sentence is really light, compared to what we really deserve. Our Sentence was our blessing, to our surprise. What the devil meant for evil, God bestowed to us His grace. His mercies have allowed us to get back into the race...."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)