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Stressed Out
I recently did a study on the nature and causes of stress. One of the points that jumped out at me was that stress is caused by the uncertainty of the result; regardless of how much work you put in, the end is still unsure.
One of the general rules of nature is that after you sow, you reap a harvest. It sounds simple. Yet there are times, even after having done everything you can in your strength, the situation around you still looks dire and uncertain. How in the face of this, are you still supposed to rejoice? Rejoicing, in fact, sounds too far-fetched. Even going back to normal can be difficult.
I realized then, that it’s no wonder we spend most of our time stressed. We stress about work, exams, family, relationships, money and so much more because of the uncertainty we face in spite of doing our best.
In Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV), Paul exhorts us saying, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
So at the end of it all, even when there are no figs and grapes, or olives and food, or sheep and cattle, His peace will guard not just our hearts and our emotions, but also our minds, where stress begins. That’s the beauty of our hope in Christ and the faith that drives us. Despite how the situation looks, we can choose to rejoice.
Prayer
Through the darkest night and amidst the stormy sea, I thank You Lord, for You are with me. Amen.
I recently did a study on the nature and causes of stress. One of the points that jumped out at me was that stress is caused by the uncertainty of the result; regardless of how much work you put in, the end is still unsure.
One of the general rules of nature is that after you sow, you reap a harvest. It sounds simple. Yet there are times, even after having done everything you can in your strength, the situation around you still looks dire and uncertain. How in the face of this, are you still supposed to rejoice? Rejoicing, in fact, sounds too far-fetched. Even going back to normal can be difficult.
I realized then, that it’s no wonder we spend most of our time stressed. We stress about work, exams, family, relationships, money and so much more because of the uncertainty we face in spite of doing our best.
In Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV), Paul exhorts us saying, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
So at the end of it all, even when there are no figs and grapes, or olives and food, or sheep and cattle, His peace will guard not just our hearts and our emotions, but also our minds, where stress begins. That’s the beauty of our hope in Christ and the faith that drives us. Despite how the situation looks, we can choose to rejoice.
Prayer
Through the darkest night and amidst the stormy sea, I thank You Lord, for You are with me. Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
It is our prayer that it will reveal to those who don’t know Jesus Christ, that there is a Creator and Maker of this universe, the only loving and powerful God who longs for a personal relationship with every human being. We pray that these daily readings will remind us all of the great hope and abundant joy in knowing Jesus Christ, through whom we have eternal life!
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