Stress can kill you. It’s been labeled the silent assassin. It is estimated that in America, 30 million people deal with sleeplessness, 25 million from hypertension and 20 million from ulcers all because of stress. Every person has stress in their life. We’ve all got it. Stress is unavoidable—even in the life of a Christian. Stress can be seen as negative pressure applied to our emotions because of perceived adverse or threatening circumstances. In other words, if you don’t have a negative emotional reaction to a situation, then there is no stress in that particular situation for you. How we respond to stress in our lives is not only important physically but also spiritually. Spiritually, because stress can impact our relationship with God.

Scriptures
Matthew 11:28; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Philippians 2:4, 3:12, 4:12; James 1:2-4

Verses
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

Thought
In James 1:2-4, the Greek word translated “trials” is the same word that is translated “temptations” elsewhere. We might wonder why would the same Greek word mean both “trials” and “temptations?” Some Bible scholars believe it’s because a trial is a situation that tempts people to indulge in wrong, ungodly behavior. In other words, a trial can put a person under emotional pressure to respond in an ungodly manner. That emotional pressure is what is called stress. Trials are a fact of life for all of us even the most spiritual Christian among us. When James says fall, this implies that it’s not necessarily something you did on purpose. It could be a situation that you fell into unavoidably. Although we have to admit that usually our stress does come from our own actions and decisions. Sometimes we experience physical falls in life but we also “fall” into stressful situations as followers of Christ. The more we grow and mature as Christians and the more we begin to step out in faith and let Him use us, the more stress we are going to have. The Apostle Paul’s life was a clear example of this. Reading his resume in 2 Corinthians 11 will put a new meaning on the word stress in the life of a follower of Christ. We aren’t Paul but here is the bottom line: the more we grow and mature in our walk with God, the more the devil is going to come against us and the greater level of stress we’ll have to face.

Questions
What is the greatest source of stress you have right now? What is one thing you do to help minimize stress in your life? When have you felt God was using a stressful time in your life to help you grow spiritually? Do you agree with this statement, ”Stress is God’s engine of change in our spiritual lives?” How has living with contentment helped reduce the stress in your life? When you are under a lot of stress, do you find it easier or harder to draw near to God? Why?

Response
Use these three tools that the apostle Paul gave to deal with stress: #1. Change your perspective. #2 Be thankful. #3 Give it to God.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I know stress can be very harmful to not only my physical life but my spiritual life. Please help me draw near to you through prayer and Bible reading when I am going through stressful times. I come to you for help with the stress I’m experiencing right now. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.