stress

I’m convinced that stress does not come from God.  In fact, I think God wants us to be stress free, to stop worrying about tomorrow and give all of our cares to him.  Not because I’m really insightful or really in tune with God, because I wish I was, but because God tells us in His word that that’s exactly what we should do. Graduating is scary.  The real world is scary.  Taking risks is scary.  Talking to a friend about God is scary.  These all produce stress in my life, no doubt.  But again, I don’t think God wants me to handle it by worrying and living my life in fear and question.  I don’t think He wants us running around trying to figure out our entire lives in one day.  I think He wants us to use today for today.  God doesn’t give us these days to be wasted worrying about tomorrow, a day that quite honestly may never come.  Stress takes away from us getting to love God every day.  It puts a riff in the relationship we try so hard to maintain.  We put our cares and burdens in front of God, instead of giving them to Him.  

The last two weeks I have done nothing but worry about my future.  Worries that have carried over into my relationships.  But most importantly, it has worn on my relationship with God.  Instead of letting Him slow me down to enjoy what He has me doing today, I have been trying to ask Him what He has planned for me later.  

Today is what we’re given.  Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.  What if God decides to come back tomorrow, will I be able to answer to Him when He asks how I was spending my time? The word “Urgency” has really been stuck in my mind lately.  What if my time has been spent worrying so much about myself, my life, and my future that I have lost sight of what’s really important, the great commission.  Bringing the Gospel to the world around me.  Going through the book of Philippians lately has really challenged me with my attitude, to have the attitude of Christ.  If I do take on that attitude, tomorrow would not be a worry in my head, my money and job would not be my main concern.  My main concern would be others, loving others enough to share the Good News.  

In Matthew 6, it lays it down pretty clear about worrying about our future, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” verse 34.  

Paul tells us in Philippians 4, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” verses 6 and 7.

And lets not forget about 1 Peter when he says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” verse 7.

Its pretty clear what God has to say to us about stress and worry.  I’ve lost sight of this lately.  Luckily we have a God that loves us even when we try to take our own way and make our own plans.