Everyone seems to have their hands full dealing with stress. There is so much of it in the world these days, that companies spend billions of dollars promoting all kinds of ways to deal with it.
Stress doesn't seem to discriminate. You will find it in every age group, gender, and race. In fact, teen stress and anxiety are very big issues these days as well.
So......What Am I Supposed to Do with All This Stress?
I wish I could give you a simple, uncomplicated, solution to stress. What I can give you are some things NOT to do....
1. Tell off all those people that irritate you.
2. Don't listen to anyone whose opinion differs from yours.
3. Tell your spouse and kids that they need to be responsible to solve their own problems because you have enough of your own.
4. Look out for yourself. Nobody else will, so always put your own needs ahead of everyone else.
What a LIST! Obviously I'm being sarcastic, but there truly are people dealing with stress exactly like this. Talk about compounding the problem.
God's Word Can Do What, Exactly?
There is tremendous power in God's Word. In fact, there is no problem that isn't addressed somewhere in the Bible. Who knew that book could be so useful?
Dealing with stress starts by reading, understanding, and praying God's word over your life. When you start praying, peace comes. And lo and behold, the opposite of stress is peace. What a concept.
Here is a scripture that really identifies with stress and anxiety:
Philippians 4:6-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.
The bottom line.....when you spend your time focused on God's business, He WILL take care of yours. Stress, worry, anxiety....none of those things will solve any problem. Most of the time they just make matters worse.
Give God's Word a try. What have you got to lose? Stress....Anxiety....Worry.....
Here is a Print & Pray prayer for dealing with stress:
Father,
We come before You with thanks for all our blessings. We know Your goodness and we're so grateful for all You do for us.
Lord, You can see how very stressed and anxious I am. I don't want to be this way. I want to have peace in my life and in my house. I'm tired of living this way, God. I just give up control to You Lord. You have the power to change the people in my life who are making me nuts. And please change me so I can deal with all the people and things in my life the way You would.
Reach down your hand, Lord. Help me be an example of Your peace to the people around me. Show me how to focus on You. Help me hear from You, God, so I know what You would have me do in all my stressful situations.
Show me how to be a blessing today, Lord. Thank You for helping me. Thank You for blessing me. And thank You for loving me enough to hear my prayers.
We ask all things in Jesus' name.
AMEN!
Finding out where your stress is coming from helps a lot as you try to deal with it. Here's a FREE test specifically designed for women, that will get you pointed in the right direction.
I took the test and it was amazingly accurate and helpful.