MEMORY VERSE:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Stress...
We all have it in our lives. Some of it is good; but the hairy monster in your mind keeping you up at night, worried about your future isn’t.
I speak from experience. Many employers assume your time is their time. Unless you’re willing to make a clear dividing line in your life you will suffer burnout. This is exactly what happened to me a few years ago.
When I experienced panic attacks and anxiety I thought something might be up. When the stress induced asthma started I thought I should probably pay attention to the warning signs. When the heart palpitations started with no physical explanation I decided I needed to make a career change. Fortunately I got out before any lasting damage was done.
Undue stress increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, depression and other mental illness. Today stress leave is all too common an occurrence. Intense pressure at home and in the work place creates unmanageable situations.
A lot of times it seems stress is all in our heads, but the physical symptoms are real. Shaking, shortness of breath, inability to concentrate, chest pain, nausea, panic, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, mood swings...the list is practically endless.
How do we navigate today’s high pressure world without cracking into a million pieces, like an egg hitting the floor? Paul gives us an answer in his letter to the congregation of the church in Philippi. He says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done...”
The first four words aren’t easy instructions to follow...don’t worry about anything. Yeah right! How can you not worry about the never ending list continuously playing in your mind? How can you not worry about...
Deadlines, job security, your children’s education, your children’s health, your health, your aging parents and their ability to care for themselves, marriage, divorce, the funny noise the car was making this morning, the pet you have to take to the vet, the mortgage payment, the job interview, what to make for dinner...it goes on and on.
But Paul tells us how. He says take it all to God, tell Him everything, tell Him what you need, and let Him do the worrying for you. He’s got big shoulders and He’ll handle it.
What happens when we follow Paul’s instructions? When we lean on God,”... then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand...”
It’s true. If I have extended periods when I’m not taking quiet time with God to pray, the anxiety creeps back in, stealthy as a thief in the night, stealing my peace. Panic can quickly over take me.
But when I slow down and spend time with God, telling Him my fears and anxieties there’s a sense of peace I simply can’t explain. I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense. But I know exactly where it comes from. God. And for that I’m truly grateful.
You may be strong, but with God on your side you’re way stronger than you ever will be by yourself. Get the medical help you need and, in addition to this, give God a try. Pray to Him today, and tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. Make a habit of spending time with Him every day and you’ll experience your own peace that exceeds understanding.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
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