How to Handle Stress

“If you are stressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment” -Marcus Aurelius

Want to here something interesting about me? Here it is: Whenever someone is ranting to me about how stressed out they are, my response is always, “According to scientific studies, the more you use the word ‘stress’, the more stressed out you will feel. Try to use a different word, it will help.” The funny thing is, as far as I know, this isn’t true. I made it up, because it sounds like something that could be true. It really does help though, so you should try it as well. Stress might’ve been the word of the year for 2018. Not because I’ve used it so much, but because a lot of my close friends and family members have. So, what is stress? Stress, according to the dictionary, is “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances”. Stress is more than just a mental or emotional strain though, as it can fuel cancer, lead to depression, weaken the immune system, increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack, age you, and even shrink the brain. I’m not here to write about why you should stop stressing out about the ins and outs of an ordinary Monday, but to remind you that stress is something everyone deals with, and something that only your Savior can eliminate. I know a dozen or so people who look to stuff, such as essential oils, “getaway trips”, and/or sleep to help rid them of their stress. Although these options have value, they will not eliminate the stress in your life. The only way to eliminate stress, is to look to your Heavenly Father. Matthew 11:28-30, states, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (MSG). Seriously, what better passage of scripture then this to look for answers! With stress comes striving. As the Bible says, there is a time for everything. There is a time to strive, and a time not to strive. In times where there is so much noise surrounding your home, let one voice be heard. Talk to God. Prayer is very easy. Just say what’s on your mind. Not every prayer has to be a formal servant-to-King style of conversation. God is your King, but He’s also your closest friend. God already knows what’s on your mind; so just share with Him anything. Tell God what’s stressing you out. Ask Him for His wisdom on how to handle certain situations. For me, it is times like these, where I feel God’s nearness, because I know that if He is willing to listen to my complaining, then He really cares about what is on my heart.

-Jack Hilsher

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

John 14:27 (ESV)