Stressed Out?

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:4-7 (NKJV)

Most of us are aware that we are living in the "real" world and in the real world there is real stress. Jobs, children, finances, health, disappointments, failures, reversals, unexpected-unwanted changes; the level of stress begins to add up. Jesus identified these stress factors as "the cares of the world." He went on to explain that in some situations they literally strangle the spiritual life of a Believer.

There is one solution... Give it all to God. It sounds trite to the person who is stressed out, but it remains as the best solution to the challenges the world presents. According to the Apostle Paul this is the solution that Believers should apply to "everything." By definition, "everything" should have every stressful situation covered. Rather than stressing out, we need to pray. Rather than worry, we need to give our burdens to the One who cares about our lives as much as we do--and who has the power to act on our behalf.

Never forget that, "The Lord is at hand." He is with you! Spanish Philosopher Jose Ortega y Gasset stated: "We cannot put off living until we are ready. Life is fired at us point-blank." His observation was accurate; life and its circumstances cannot be avoided, they must be faced. We can face life with a good bit of courage knowing that God is with us. So, put this truth into action--take the first stressful situation that is fired at you this week and give it to God! What will be the result? If you really give it up to God, you will be filled with a peace that passes understanding!

Prayer: "Dear Father, thank you for being with me as I journey through this life. I confess that I am not equipped to cope with all the stress and all the problems that seem to find their way to me. Lord, You are my strength and I trust in You--so, take all the cares of the world--all the disappointments that are crushing me--and all the situations that seem to be spinning out of control; and deal with them according to Your loving kindness. Fill me with Your peace--the peace that passes all understanding." Amen