I think we are all either going through stress and/or anxiety or we have dealt with it in the past or it is coming in our future. I am currently dealing with stress at this very moment as I am writing this. So even if no one reads what I am writing it is ok because it is as much for me as anyone.
I think it is helpful if we first understand the cause or root of the issue, in this case stress and/or anxiety, before we try to correct it. Most of the time with stress and anxiety there are two areas to look at, the external factors and the internal ones. The external factors are usually those things that we don’t have control over or have lost control over. For example, we have a deadline fast approaching and things continue to go wrong, the weather won’t cooperate with our plans, money is short and we have bills to pay, we have over committed ourselves, and this is just to name a few. But I believe the internal issues are the biggest factor.
When we feel stressed out it is because we feel out of control and we lack the faith in anyone else doing it or helping to get it done right. We fear the outcome: What if we don’t achieve the goal, get the job done or what if we let someone down. In reality it boils down to a lack of trust in God. I know what you’re thinking, easy for you to say, but it isn’t easy for me either. I struggle with faith as much if not more than anyone, and the sad part is God has blessed me as much as anyone and yet I can’t get it right either.
Faith is not meant to be easy and we will never have enough until God calls us home. Faith is a life long journey. We must surrender ourselves to God and let Him bear our burdens and rely on His strength to get it done. This is a process. This, I believe, is why we face hardships and struggles. If we could do it ourselves why would we need to rely on God? This doesn’t mean we give up and stop trying. It is a change in attitude. We still work hard and try to manage things wisely but we understand that God will take our hard work and even our mistakes and use them for good and God will take care of what we don't have control over. Let’s read Romans 8:28-39
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.1
I think it is helpful if we first understand the cause or root of the issue, in this case stress and/or anxiety, before we try to correct it. Most of the time with stress and anxiety there are two areas to look at, the external factors and the internal ones. The external factors are usually those things that we don’t have control over or have lost control over. For example, we have a deadline fast approaching and things continue to go wrong, the weather won’t cooperate with our plans, money is short and we have bills to pay, we have over committed ourselves, and this is just to name a few. But I believe the internal issues are the biggest factor.
When we feel stressed out it is because we feel out of control and we lack the faith in anyone else doing it or helping to get it done right. We fear the outcome: What if we don’t achieve the goal, get the job done or what if we let someone down. In reality it boils down to a lack of trust in God. I know what you’re thinking, easy for you to say, but it isn’t easy for me either. I struggle with faith as much if not more than anyone, and the sad part is God has blessed me as much as anyone and yet I can’t get it right either.
Faith is not meant to be easy and we will never have enough until God calls us home. Faith is a life long journey. We must surrender ourselves to God and let Him bear our burdens and rely on His strength to get it done. This is a process. This, I believe, is why we face hardships and struggles. If we could do it ourselves why would we need to rely on God? This doesn’t mean we give up and stop trying. It is a change in attitude. We still work hard and try to manage things wisely but we understand that God will take our hard work and even our mistakes and use them for good and God will take care of what we don't have control over. Let’s read Romans 8:28-39
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.1
Suggested Prayer
Father God, I am struggling. There is so much stress in my life that I am having a hard time dealing with it. Help me. Help me to relax, help me to trust in you, help me to see your hand in my life. Send me relief. Give me strength and wisdom to live my life for you. In Christ’s Name I pray, Amen
Other areas that might be helpful
1The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ro 8:28-39). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
