Capping off an already packed day, I rushed from the airline club toward my gate to catch an early-evening flight. Somehow, I happened upon a sober moment and realized I had plenty of time. Boarding was still 30 minutes out and my gate was nearby, but I was moving at a frenetic pace. Frenetic had become ordinary and I knew it wasn’t healthy or right.
I purposefully hit pause as I passed gate A-23 and whispered a short prayer. I forced myself to stop and breathe, and then gazed out the terminal window to simply take in the world around me as a relative calm replaced incessant mind chatter. As I resumed my walk at a more life sustaining pace, I felt a sense of well-being, like waking up and feeling better after being ill.
God’s design for us is much closer to strolling beside still waters than frenetic – not stress free, but more along the lines of a peace that endures. We encounter many stories of great Biblical characters like Moses, David, and Paul who endured immense challenges where stress became a major factor, yet God imparted His peace amidst these tremendous storms.
It’s no different today. God’s desire is to deliver us, and He will. But the path to peace first requires recognizing our stress and choosing to overcome it. If frenetic has become ordinary, if your mind constantly buzzes, or if you constantly rush, excessively multi-task, can’t slow down, can’t sleep, or frequently feel fatigued, you’re probably suffering from stress.
When we purposefully seek to conquer stress, and wrap our effort in Biblical principles and truth, we begin to experience peace that is steady, and that endures long days and stormy nights. It’s a transformational journey with tentacles that reach every aspect of our lives. With God at the center (more later), we form a divine companionship and rock-solid foundation for change. We emerge at peace, ready to serve and experience life as God desires.
Conquering stress may warrant the partnership of a qualified counseling professional to help you navigate some of the deeper waters of this journey, especially if you are depressed or believe you are suffering from anxiety.
What are some of the signs of stress in your life? What effect would greater peace have on you and your loved ones right now?
Scriptures:
Psalm 23: 1-3 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Daniel 6:27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.