By W. Frank Walton
In our hurry-up, pressure-cooker world, everyone knows about stress. Such pressure comes from the various demands our fast-paced life places on us. Sometimes, they seem like they will pull us apart.
Reading through the Gospel of Matthew, we can observe major crisis moments in Jesus' own life, noting how the Lord handled each stressful situation. This inductive study yields five "keys" to cope with various kinds of stress in our own lives. We cannot escape stress in this world. However, by faith and trusting obedience to Jesus' example, we can manage to keep from being "stressed out."
Instead of falling prey to our changing moods and surging urges, contemplating Scripture helps to refocus our minds in the calm light of unchanging, eternal truth. "Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble" (Psa 119:165). Fill your heart continually with God's Word, which is the instrument by which the Holy Spirit encourages and strengthens you in times of trial.
When the task seems too enormous to bear, remember that we can only breathe one breath at a time, do one thing at a time, take one step at a time and live one day at a time. We must prioritize our actions to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matt. 6:33). Do not let trivial things obscure the vital things we ought to be and can be doing. Simply do whatever you know God has given you to do for that moment and that day, without "biting off more than you can chew." Also, consider this saying: "We must stop stewing and start doing!" Stress can come from an over active mind and an underactive body. God will be with us each step of the way. He will give us strength and guidance for each challenge confronting us.
When our agenda crashes, our hopes wither and our plans fail, we must rest in the knowledge that God has an eternal purpose. Remember with Jesus to proclaim before God: "Your will be done!" (Matt. 26:42). He alone is in ultimate control of the universe and eternity. There is not enough power in hell to defeat God in the accomplishment of His purpose. No one will ever thwart his master plan for the salvation of all those whom he has graciously determined to redeem.
The same powerful resource of prayer is ours today, if we will seek and receive it, for the work God has entrusted to us (Heb. 4:16). Prayer can relieve the stress we face and soothe our soul (Phil. 4:6-7).
Sometimes, life reveals no quick answers, no simple solutions, no ready escapes. Yet, God is always faithful. We can always entrust ourselves to his care, with full confidence and without any reserve. He can see us through today's stress to tomorrow, even unto the day of eternity.
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