“Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
Change Your Atmosphere, Change Your Life.
What is it about your lifestyle that stresses you? Perhaps you’re a single mom trying to make ends meet and still be a good mother. Perhaps your company is downsizing, and you’re concerned about losing your job. Or maybe you have an aging parent who suddenly requires a lot of your undivided attention, and you’re trying to honor them while juggling your schedule, being true to your spouse, and caring for your immediate family. You suddenly find yourself trying to juggle too many balls at the same time.
Despite all our convenient amenities, let’s face it: no one’s life is easy all the time, and statistics show that stressors are only getting more complex. We are all trying to find answers and relief from stress. There are real answers for life’s tough questions found in the Word of God.
So, what do you find yourself doing when the stress hits you extremely hard lately? Are you reaching for pills, alcohol, or a temporary band-aid? You know, the temporary fix for an eternal problem? Let’s face it, we all know if we choose the temporary band-aids, they ease the issue for a bit, and then they start to slide off, and BOOM—you still have the issue hanging on like a blood-sucking leech. So, hmm, what should we do when the issue first arises?
Embracing God’s Peace
First, you can give your care over to God. Actually, picture yourself taking every situation out of your briefcase or backpack and just physically stand up and hand it over to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Perhaps you should write the issues down on a note card, nail it to a wooden cross, and leave it there. The master key to understanding how to release and receive the blessings God has pre-ordained for your life is found in Mark chapters 4-5.
Imagine that you see—sometimes we simply overthink the situation. Have you ever found yourself pondering and it’s like your focus is stuck, like the clutch is jammed in your brain? LOL. Well, you are not alone. But hey, it is our responsibility to say, “Okay, I am going to release this stronghold to my Lord and Savior and walk into my destiny.” And let’s face it, there is just too much time and emotional effort being wasted on the past. You are not your past mistakes. Your past does not define you, but molds you into the wonderful new person God is crafting you into so you can shine forth for Him.
How to Live A Stress-Free Life
Disappointment and setbacks are two of Satan’s most successful attacks against us. When promises are not kept and dreams are shattered—whether it’s a marriage or a heart that’s been broken as a result of someone’s sinful or hurtful behavior, or even a self-inflicted wound—it doesn’t matter. Too many broken hearts create a broken world, no matter how the damage was done in the first place.
The answer, my friend, is found by stopping, pausing, and praying—inviting the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our thoughts and decisions. You must also actually get into the Word of God daily for at least 20 minutes. Dump the trash in your life in the garbage and get it out of your house forever.
Key Takeaways
God wants to use the stressors to bring a change to our lives so that we can align ourselves with His exact plan and purpose, which He has already laid out for us, and be filled with an overflow of unending joy. The problem is, we haven’t taken the time to listen.
As you examine yourself, you will begin to see the areas of your life that are overwhelming and creating stress. Now you can lay the temporary band-aid aside, make course corrections, and start by casting or literally rolling all of your cares, anxieties, and worries onto Jesus. Then, don’t go back and pick them up. Leave them with Him.
Related Texts: John 10:10; Psalm 37:4-5; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
