Late for work. Not enough sleep. Traffic backed up due to an accident on the freeway. Job insecurity. Fickle friendships. Family crisis. Health issues. Financial pressures. Too many bills. Not enough money. Too much to do, too little time. The list is ad infinitum. "Stressors" - Those things that cause the stress level to run high and strength to run low.

The research has been done and the results are in and undeniable. Stress, when not dealt with properly, can kill you. It's toxic. It's taxing. I think, if the truth be told, we all have experienced it at one time or another (sometimes on a daily basis) and have concluded it is an unwelcome guest that must be extricated.

We've heard about "dressing for success." Well, I want to look at "Nine Ways To De-Stress for Success." These are nine, though not exhaustive, steps you can take that will propel you into a more peaceful and purposeful life. Let's take a look.

1. Identify What Causes Your Stress

Pay attention to those things, that person, that situation you are facing that causes you to feel stressed. Find those "trigger points." Take note of exactly when, where and how that stress begins to infect your life. Stress has an agenda attached to it and that is to steal your peace and your joy. If a doctor is going to bring the proper cure to a patient, he or she must first find the point of the dis-ease. You can only move to resolution when there is recognition.

2. Recognize You Must Deal With It

The fact of the matter is, if you don't deal with your stress, it will most certainly deal with you. Now that you've identified the "stressors," then you must recognize that the sooner you begin to challenge it, the sooner you can free yourself from it's icy grip. What you do not challenge, cannot change. There are things that happen to us that often we can't control, but most certainly can take charge of what happens in us. We must not allow stress to define us.

3. Begin To Confront It

When you have identified it and recognized that it must be dealt with, then begin to confront the stress with some strategies that will cancel out it's assignment. The confrontation begins in your mind. Make up your mind you will live "stress-free." Having said that I must hasten to say, as long as we live on the face of this earth, stress will come. But I have learned, stress may come, but it does not have to stay. My mother used to say, "You can't help it if a bird flies over your head. But you can keep it from building a nest." Stress has got to go.

4. Understand The Physical Ramifications of Stress

It is important to understand the toll stress takes on your body. If your mind is filled with "seeds of stress-filled thoughts" then there will be a "harvest" of ill health that has the potential of being destructive and even deadly. Stress causes your body to move into the "fight or flight" mode. It releases chemicals in your body that causes unwelcome physical symptoms such as your heart races too fast, your palms begin to sweat, your mouth gets dry like cotton, your emotions run rampant with "highs and lows" like a roller-coaster, you experience panic attacks and your stomach feels as though there is a knot that grows bigger and tighter by the minute.

5. Learn To Practice Peace

When stress begins to present those toxic feelings then you must take the proactive step of practicing peace. Let me explain. First to practice peace, you really need to know the "Prince of Peace." Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." God has promised to keep us in perfect peace if we will fill our minds with "God's thoughts." More will be said about that later. When you feel the stress level raise high, then immediately begin to practice peace. Relax your body. Slow down.Take a deep breath. Let your mind and your spirit be filled with the peace of God that "passes all understanding." Speak peaceful words. Let your words create an atmosphere of tranquility.

6. Exercise

For many (including me) this is one of those principles they would prefer not to be on the list. Then there are those who know the importance of exercise but just don't take the time to consistently do it. I have made a renewed commitment to follow this one as I know that there are chemicals released when we exercise that will cancel out all those negative ones that are born out of stress. If exercise is a must then choose something you enjoy. (Make sure you get your doctors approval and advice first.) Perhaps for you it might be bicycling, jogging, swimming, aerobics, or weight lifting. Whatever exercise or exercises (a quality combination) you choose, just make sure you make time for it.

7. Watch Your Diet

You might ask, "What in the world does food have to do with stress?" Have you ever been in a stressful situation and thought caffeine was the answer? After consuming way too much, you're heart began to race at a cadence that exceeded the norm and instead of lowering your stress level it actually accelerated it. Learn what foods are healthy and calming and make sure you add that to your diet.

8. Fix Your Focus

Shift your focus from the "stressor" to the "de-stressor." Map out a strategic plan that would consist of challenging those negative, destructive thoughts and replacing them with positive, faith-filled ones. Daily read the Word of God which is full of marvelous ways to live a productive and fruitful life while managing your stress. Make this a priority. Read books that will inspire you, encourage you and instruct you in the areas of de-stressing your life. One of my favorites is "Maximize the Moment" by Bishop T.D. Jakes.

9.Don't Forget To Pray

One of the first Scriptures I learned to quote as a child was I Peter 5:7 that says, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." That word "care" really means your "anxieties." That includes everything that causes stress in your life. When faced with stress-filled situations take the time to release it to God in prayer, knowing that He, not only cares for you, but, has the ability to do something about it.

For those who are dealing with "stressors" right now, begin today by following the "Nine Ways to De-Stress for Success." It's a start that I believe will bring good results. You're not alone on this journey. As I said before, "Stress may come, but it's got to go."