To Stress or Not to Stress

Stress and worry is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good — it can motivate you and help you be more productive. However, too much stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful.

Stress takes its toll on all of us to varying degrees, and how we deal with it depends in large part on who we are. It is no wonder that many days we struggle trying to cope with the distress that come from our jobs, our health or family issues. God has created us and knows that, because of our fallen natures, we can sometimes allow worry to rule our lives.

Stress can set you up for general poor health as well as specific physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart disease, or depression. Persistent and unrelenting worry often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs.

Many people become stressed because they don’t trust God to provide the basic needs of life. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:25, 27). This passage is an example of why we worry in the first place—we worry about providing for ourselves and our loved ones. We worry over money because we never seem to feel that we have enough. We worry about making ends meet, often living paycheck to paycheck.

Stress management tips are simple cost effective methods. They can be practiced anywhere and at any time. Deep breathing, meditating, and the use of oils – such as Lavender, can help to reduce the tension.

If we choose to deal with worry on our own, we face a long, uphill battle that will not end well. Ways to cope:

1. The only way we can deal with stress is with Jesus Christ, first by believing in Him. Without believing in Him we are on our own, and success in coping with unease is nearly impossible.
2. Second, we need to trust Him and obey Him. We should trust Him to do what is right because His ways are always best for us. Disobedience and sin can produce worry and cut us off from the only means of peace and joy. Obey His commandments to reap the blessings of true contentment from a loving God.
3. Finally, we need to seek His peace daily by filling our minds with His Word, lifting all things to Him in prayer, and sitting at His feet in awe and reverence. It is only by His grace, mercy, and love that the stress in our lives can be managed.

Above all, remember that you are in no way alone in this battle.  There are hundreds of thousands of people out there who feel overwhelmed and nearly completely out of control. The best news is God is here for you. Turn to him today.

 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)