Dealing with Stress

by

Rev. Richard Fisher

"The population of this country is 200 million. 84 million are retired. That leaves 116 million to do the work. There are 75 million in school, which leaves 41 million to do the work. Of this total, there are 22 million employed by the federal government. "That leaves 19 million to do the work. 4 million are in the armed forces, which leaves 15 million to do the work. Take from that total the 14.8 million who work for state and city governments and that leaves 200,000 to do the work. There are 188,000 people in the hospital at any given time, leaving 12,000 to do the work. Currently, there are 11,998 people in jail. That leaves just two people to do the work - you and me. And you’re just sitting there reading. No wonder I’m stressed!"

Most of us face stress one time or another. The three major stresses that everybody faces are:

1. RELATIONAL STRESS – family, friends, neighbors

2. FINANCIAL STRESS - #1 cause of divorce

3. OCCUPATIONAL STRESS – the people you work with, benefits – security

The question is: How do we deal with stress? There are several Scriptures that have been a blessing to me in this area. I would like to share one of them.

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Now it is good to have goals and work toward them but being anxious and stressful can be harmful to us and our relationships.

The next thing we see in this passage is to pray about everything. We see in many Bible passages the importance of praying by faith. The greatest example is what Jesus did the night before the crucifixion. Jesus knew that He was facing tremendous suffering. The salvation of mankind was in His hands. Talk about stress! What did he do? Jesus had an intense prayer time in the Garden of Gethsemane.

What is the result? “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

As we walk by faith in a daily time of prayer and meditation of God’s Word, we will be able to all things through Christ who strengthens our inter man. Yes, we will even be able to deal with stress.