What does the Bible say about stress?
If we’re honest, we’ve all been through stressful situations. We’ve all struggled with worry, fear, anxiety, and feeling alone to some degree. However, this should not be the norm of a Christian life. Why you ask? We have a God who invites us to give our burdens to Him.
We have a God who reminds us how much we are loved in our trials. I must admit that it is easier said than done, but we have to remember these truths in hard times. Meditate on this for a second. God loves you and His great love for you will see you through any situation.
Christians quotes about stress
“Stress comes from trying to do it on your own. Peace comes from God’s hands.”
“Stress makes you believe that everything has to happen right now. Faith reassures you that everything will happen in God’s timing.”
“When I’m worried, it’s usually because I’m trying to do everything myself. When I’m at peace, it’s usually because I remember that God is in control.” Dave Willis.
“Don’t worry about everything around you. That’s my job.” Jesus”
“It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.”
“The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.” George Mueller
“Its not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.”
“I could imagine God saying to a lot of us, “Hey, I’m God, and you’re not. You’re not the general manager of the universe.” And the greatest stress reliever is take God seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously.” Rick Warren
“If you’re a Christian how do you deal with stress without Jesus? You don’t.” Timothy Keller
What do you do when you stress?
One of the worst things that can happen to us is when we allow stress to turn into despair. Once this happens we start to give up. Instead of seeking the Lord we run to other things to ease the pain and the worry in our mind. We slowly start to seek worldly outlets and if we’re not careful we can easily fall into sin. You can either run to the television or you can run to God. Everything other than Christ is only a temporary solution to the problem. We must run to Him and allow Him to help us. “Prayer just doesn’t work.”
This is a lie from Satan. The lie is not the worst thing. What makes it worse is when we start to believe the lies that he tells us. “I’ve been praying for so long and God hasn’t done anything.” If you have been praying for so long, then keep on praying until God does something! Remain in prayer until you trust Him. Remain in prayer until you can say, “Your will be done.” With temporary solutions you will still be carrying the burden. Give your burden to God and watch what He does with it. In 1 Peter 5:7 we always remember one part. “Cast your anxieties on Him.”
However, we completely miss the second part. How could we miss the second part of this verse? Why should I cast my anxieties on Him? Does He really want me to? Why? Why? Why? The end of 1 Peter 5:7 answers all of our anxious questions. Because He cares for you. Now allow Him to comfort, encourage, and help you.
Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 55:22 “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”-
Psalm 62:8 “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.”
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 94:19 “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Don’t dwell on those stressful thoughts
Unfortunately, humans are prone to dwelling on the negative which is unhealthy. Dwelling on the problem and not addressing the problem will only make matters worse. We have to learn how to be still. When your mind is going 120 mph you have to fight. Don’t allow your mind to prevail and speak death and lies.
Find a quiet place where you can just meditate on Christ and His Word. When you begin to dwell on negative things they become a reality in your life. The mind/body connection is extremely powerful. Destructive thoughts and overthinking can make the emotional or physical pain worse. Let’s fight with these thoughts. Let’s make war and pray for the renewal of our minds!
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
Overcoming financial stress
Stress and money go hand in hand. Many people are putting their trust in money and they don’t even know it until something happens. Why do you think many people committed suicide during The Great Depression? One of the reasons that we tithe is to trust God with the wealth that He blessed us with. Your wealth comes from the Lord. Everything that you have comes from Him. He knows your needs and He is faithful to provide. Never in my life have I noticed a tithing believer forsaken during a financial crisis. Never! I’m not saying that we won’t go through financial trials, but God always makes a way. We might not understand why we are going through hardship, but always remember that God can change your situation in a moment.
Matthew 6:25-26 “So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are?
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Be vulnerable and dependent on the Lord in stressful situations
We try to do so many things in the flesh. Our first reaction should not be what we can do for ourselves. Our first reaction should be falling upon the Lord. It’s a beautiful thing to know that God is sovereign. I have to remind myself that even if I can’t see what is on the other side of the storm, I’m in good hands. I don’t want to do it on my own. I know that if God doesn’t make away there will be no way. Part of growing in a love relationship with the Lord is being vulnerable and humbling yourself before the Lord. Talk to Him about your stress. Talk to Him about your struggles with trusting Him. Talk to Him about what’s going on in your life. I would rather trust in an omnipotent God than to trust in myself. It’s so easy for me to demand that you trust in God more, but how is that done? Get to know Him.
When you begin to know the nature of God, His love for you, and His character, trusting in Him becomes easier. Sometimes we forget that we serve the God of the Scriptures. We serve the same God who was with Noah, Abraham, Paul, Job, etc. How often are you getting alone with the Lord to understand who He is? We should never be too busy to spend time with Him. As you spend time with Him you grow. You begin to be at peace because you know something of His character and His goodness. Your faith becomes stronger and even though fear might come, your faith never wavers. Are you being vulnerable and growing in your reliance upon God? Are you absolutely sure of His love for you?
Psalm 40:17 But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
Psalm 62:5-6 I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated.
Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
Romans 8:38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.
It’s OK to talk to other believers about your stress and worry
Although we should seek God before we talk to others about the stress in our lives, it’s awesome to have community. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable before others and share the things that are going on in your life. Sometimes God is going to help you through others. Godly believers love each other, pray for each other, give advice to each other, etc.
1 Corinthians 12:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Acts 4:32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”
