STRESS III

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.

-Psalm 55:22

Does a believer in Jesus Christ have spiritual resources which should help him cope with stress? Yes, there are way in which believers can handle stress which set them apart from the neat check lists found in magazine articles dealing with stress. These guidelines are scriptural principles to help you.

ONE: GET GOD’S PERSPECTIVE. It may be necessary to back off from the stressful situation, and put God and whatever stresses you in perspective. We often so close to the forest we can’t see the trees.

TWO: FOCUS ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. Acknowledge that He is your Heavenly Father, and that He has a direct will for your life and your concerns. Do you really believe that nothing can happen to you apart from the knowledge and will of your Heavenly Father? What’s the source of your stress in relationship to God? What should you do about it?

THREE: STOB BEARING YOUR LOAD AND GOD’S, TOO. worry says, in effect, “God, You’re not big enough to handle this Yourself so I’m going to have to kill myself figuring out what I’m going to do.” make a note of 1 Peter 5:7, and Psalm 55:22 in relationship to stress.

FOUR: APPLY THE PRINCIPLES OF SCRIPTURE IN ALLEVIATING STRESS. You’re at stressful job. How do you fight back: gorge on potato chips and junk food? Get away from the refrigerator and get some exercise. Galatians 6:9 says, “We will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Too tired to exercise, exercise anyway with moderation. Get your body in shape.

FIVE: UNDERSTAND YOUR LOAD LIMIT. It’s okay to say “No!”. God never intended us to carry load that produce stress, anxiety and burnout, which is the terminal form of stress.