Iwas around some medical professionals the other day and the topic of stress came up. One of them asked, “How do you handle stress?” One person in the group went with the Sunday school answer and said, “They prayed the Rosary.” I’m not Catholic so that doesn’t help me.
I’m not sure there is any real way to manage stress except by quitting your job and moving to the beach, but I can't convince Jennifer living in a van and surfing all day is good. I was in a stressful situation for about seven years not too long ago and I played tennis three times a week, at least on the tennis courts I was stress free. Then we moved and I could not find anyone who played tennis so I started playing golf three times a week that seemed to help (plus preachers played for free). Then we moved again and I started running every day. I was asked if running was therapeutic. It is only therapeutic for me because I get to start something and then finish what I started. I hope that makes sense. So much of what we do never ends, does it? So many things drag on and on and on. Is it just me or is it nice to complete a task?
Here’s my point: stress is killing us. How do we deal with it? The Mayo Clinic says stress contributes to health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. We are coping by overeating, being angry, misusing drugs and alcohol, withdrawing socially and exercising less.
The Bible does not talk about stress per se but it does mention difficult seasons that I would think attribute to stress. Scripture tells us about anxiety and no doubt stress can be the catalyst for feeling anxious. So what does God say? Jesus encouraged us not to worry in Matthew 6:25 about even the basic necessities of life like food and clothing. Then He said that being stressed out and worried about these things can’t add any time to our life span so rather than be anxious, trust Him. God knows what we need and He promises to supply those needs and our lives are more important than food and clothing.
In James 1:2 - 4 we read that stressful situations (trials of various kinds) are opportunities to flex our faith and by trusting the Lord we can grow in our faith. Who doesn’t want that?
Proverbs 3:5 & 6 reminds us that we are to, “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. (He will direct you and keep you tracking with Him).”
What does it mean to “not lean on your own understanding” or insight? It means you don’t turn to misusing alcohol, overeating or shopping therapy. Comfort food might bring comfort but it’s temporary and shopping might make you feel good, but those credit card statements are still being sent through the mail last time I checked. I have never heard of anyone removing stress successfully by eating too much Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla. And the only one that gets ahead from shopping therapy is Sid Mashburn, Vineyard Vines and Nordstrom.
King David (yes, that David) said he “sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all of my fears.” That’s my experience. Things like: peace, comfort, strength, rest are all available from God in the hardest and most stressful times. My testimony is God is always good and He has never let me down.
So play tennis, play golf, go for a run, come over to the Polly Pocket house and we can eat a little bit of ice cream (the Blonde loves it) but trust the Lord. You can show that trust by calling out to Him through prayer.
He told me to tell you that.
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