Pressure by situation/circumstances in life and the mental/emotional reactions to such pressures.
It is the way a body reacts to an actual or perceived danger.
Why and when do we have stress???
- Due to multitasking – too many responsibilities to handle
- Physically tired
- Sick
- Want to show our independence – we take too much tasks than we can handle
- Move our eyes away from the LORD like Peter
- Due to guilt feeling over our sins
- Sometimes it comes even without any reason
Stress has 2 parts to it.
Circumstance (Cause) – Every stress starts with this – This may or may not be in our hands.
Reaction (Effect) – How we respond to stress/ How we handle it.
Possible reactions to stress
1. Negative Reaction – This is the reaction of most human beings. It includes getting angry and brittle, full of doubt and unbelief, grumbling and crying, blaming the situations, self-pity, falling sick or even commit suicide.
Eg :- Sauls reaction- 1 Sam 18 :6-11
2. Neutral Reaction Hiker reaction - continue carrying the stress like a burden - become part of burden
3. Positive Reaction- Submit to God - full of faith in God
What the Bible wants us to do???
that we trust in Him, put Him first, and do the best we can
1. Accept and DO Gods will
- Think of WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) in any situation
eg :- (a) Esther
- Who we are under pressure reveals who we really are.
In Esther 4:6-17, Haman was plotting to destroy the Jews and managed to get the order from the King. Mordecai (Esthers uncle) explained the situation to Esther and asked her to talk to the king. In those days whoever approaches the king without being summoned were put to death. But she decided to do the will of God even under that stressful situation. She fasted and prayed and approached the king. She was determined to do the will of God under any circumstance. Her determination can be seen in her words “If I perish, I perish”
(b) Mary
When the angel of the Lord told her that she would be pregnant out of wedlock, it would definetely have been a stressful situation for her. But she decided to accept the Lord will.
How do we know the will of God??
(a) Romans 12:1-2 says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will."
(b) Constant meditation on His word. Build your life on the rock of Jesus, and the rock of putting His words into practice. If you do not put to practise, the word of God will be like a dormant seed that fell on the rock. Luke 6:47, 48 says "I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them in to practice. He is like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came the torrents struck that house but could not shake it because it was well built.". Jesus didn't say that once we built our house on the rock everything would be perfect. He said that the flood will come but the house will be firm.
2. GO to God
Mt. 11:28-30 says "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Psalms 55:22 says “ Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.”
If you cannot solve a problem, it is no longer your problem. Turn it over to God.
Eg :- (a) If your manager or any higher authority is the reason for your stress, there is probably nothing that you can do. In such cases just submit the situation to God.
(b) Daniel – When the king threw him in the lions den, he had nothing that he could do. But he did what the Lord expects all of us to do in such a situation. He submitted himself and his problem to God and prayed fervently.
3. Do not fear. Fear is opposite to faith
- Beleive that God can answer and He will answer.
- Look at the eyes of the problems and do not let the problem dominate over you. This will mean victory for the devil whose main aim is to pose a threat to the beleivers with problems.
Matthew 13:22 says "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful."
Some verses from the Bible to motivate us and encourage us to be fruitful :
-Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?" .
-John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
-1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love but perfect love drives out fear, for fear has a torment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
4. Solitary time with God
At times of trouble, stop thinking about the circumstances and have a time of fellowship with God. This will renew your strength. The Bible says “Be still and know that I am God”
eg : - Jesus – was often in stressful situations but was never stressed out.
5.Praise
eg :Paul and Silas (Acts 16:22-40)
When they were put in the dark prison, instead of being stressed out with fear, they started praising and singing.
- count your blessings
Psalms 103 :1 says “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”
- the joy of the Lord is our strength.
6. Take one day at a time.
Finally I want to conclude by saying 'If God is the reason behind your success and life, you wont be stressed out'. Even a violin wouldnt produce music without some strain.
