1. Lesson 3 for the 15 th of January, 2011

2. Stress is a physiological reaction in which several defence mechanisms take part in order to deal with a threatening or demanding situation. When this natural response is excessive, there is an overload of tension and some illnesses and pathological anomalies appear, preventing the human body from developing and working correctly. Some of its symptoms are: memory problems, nervousness, lack of concentration and others.

3. Stress can be produced by times of success and personal fulfilment. A good example is Elijah’s life; he experienced God’s direct intervention in some moments.

4. Stress can be also produced by hard decisions and tough situations. Elijah suffered tension by negative causes in some moments during his ministry. That tension alternated with successful times.

5. Accumulating stress by positive and negative causes led Elijah to a moment of emotional fall-out. His reaction to that fall-out was to desire to lose his life and feeling useless, desperate and lonely. “Satan has taken advantage of the weakness of humanity. And he will still work in the same way. Whenever one is encompassed with clouds, perplexed by circumstances, or afflicted by poverty or distress, Satan is at hand to tempt and annoy. He attacks our weak points of character. He seeks to shake our confidence in God, who suffers such a condition of things to exist” (The Desire of Ages, p. 120)

6. SleepingEating Exercising Planning your activities 1. Physical activities

7. Meditation and communion alone with God 2. Meditation and communion alone with God E.G.W. (Conflict and Courage, November 30)

8. 3. Relationship with friends and fraternization “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore” Psalm 133

9. 4. Serving, helping others, dedication, devotion “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians, 6: 2) “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians, 2: 4)

10. Rest Meditation and communion with God Fraterni- zation Helping others The anti-stress capsule (4 in 1)