Biblical Stress Management

Biblical Stress Management

Five Truths to Stand Upon

There is a battle out there which falls upon everyone and may be more dangerous to our relationship with the Lord than any affliction, temptation or circumstance in life any individual may find themself in. It is STRESS.

Stress hits when we are overtired, in prolong illness or chronic pain. When we are outside our safe zones and familiar environment. When we have taken on too many responsibilities and when it appears everything is out control. Grief and tragedy cause stress which is unavoidable, yet we are called through God’s Word to produce fruit which is in keeping of repentance from the flesh which is in conflict with the will of the Holy Spirit of Christ.

Yet there are five truths to stand upon which can empower us to enjoy all that the Lord has for us as we live in a fallen world which has the presence of the Devil, the one who constantly attacks to were us down. One thing is for sure, when you are heading on the right track, Satan will do all he can to steer you away from the path you are on.

The first truth to stand up on is to confront the problem and recognize the damage it has done. Stress and anxiety have a subtle way to cause Christians to backslide and question the Sovereignty of God in their lives.

A portion of Psalm 32:2 says “…joy for those… whose lives are lived in honesty!” (NLT Bible)

An honest recognition on how we have punished our friends, co-workers, and loves one with our attitudes. A truthful recognition when are losing our joy, how we have threatened to throw in the towel, maybe give up on dreams or worse yet how we may have moved others to lose their joy in being involved the things of God. A long with a truthful honest reflection of how we have forgotten to trust in the Sovereignty of the Lord and His desire to intervene for us is the key truth to deal with in overcoming all which comes with stress.

When stress threatens us, take a breath, breath is a power in life, and know that good things are sure to come to those who recall the Love the Lord for us. Proverbs 3:4-5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” The Psalmist wrote, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)

Once we regrasps the powers of God’s Sovereignty and rest in love for us. We can go to the second truth for Christians to stand upon in battling stress. Christians live in a fallen world and need to connect with the people God has given them to help them. The Bible says, “Tough one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Stress has a way of saying, it will be alright, you can deal with me all alone. You’re a Christian and you are supposed to be able handle it and say I am alright, when were not.

When we are stressed, we are guaranteed wisdom from God by simply asking. (James) He will give it. He knows who we need brought into our lives, so we may have the correct information to make right discissions and choices. He will give us the wisdom we need to face everything in life. The Lord will bring the right people into our lives at just the right time to give us knowledge and the wisdom to apply that knowledge. This involves everything in our lives.

The third truth to stand on when we are stressed is the reliance on prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The Psalmist writes, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

The Hebrew Word for ever-present help (??????? (?ez·ra(h)) means one who assist and serves another in acts of supplying what is needed to another. (Swanson, J. (1997). In Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Logos Research Systems, Inc.; Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). In The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 823). AMG Publishers.)

This is a practical truth for our entire lives and touching everything in our lives, everything. The whole time I was growing up through high school I understood a truth, if you shall build it, they will come. A truth once mentioned in a movie I saw. I worked night and day to build a horse business and the clientele came. I worked long hours to have a writing ministry. In God’s time it came about. I believe in that truth today and I have seen God fulfill His promises. What started out as one dog and one dog lead, is now two dogs and three large tote bags of training gear and our network is growing.