Stressed Out

Derek was having panic attacks. He was halfway through his senior year in high school and had just found out that his entire family would be moving in just one month— all the way across the country. Later on that week his father would be leaving to begin his new job and find them a place to live. Derek had just finished having a huge fight with his parents. How could they not understand his frustration? Derek had been born in this city, and he had lived there his entire life. His best friend lived right down the street. They had been friends since pre-K.

Derek had an afterschool job that he loved. He made good money, and the hours were flexible. How am I going to find another like this one? he wondered. What’s more, Derek was the captain of the basketball team, and they had just won a state title. He had a college scholarship to play at a local college. Didn’t his parents want to save money on his college tuition?

No senior year, no friends, no basketball scholarship, and what about his girlfriend? He’d been dating her for nearly three years, and now they would be so far away from each other. Would their relationship survive? He felt as though his entire life was coming to an end.

Have you ever felt like Derek?

Anxiety for All

Anxiety, worry, and stress affect us all. When we begin to worry and be anxious, we start to doubt God’s ability to effectively meet our needs. We wonder if God even cares about the things that we’re going through, don’t we?

A long time ago, a Bible writer named Paul wrote a letter to people living in a city called Philippi, in ancient Greece. Paul was actually in jail at the time that he wrote.

If anyone knew about anxiety, stress, and worry, Paul did. He wrote most of the New Testament in the Bible from the “comforts” of a prison cell. He wrote: “I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am” (Philippians 4:11-13, Message).

Jesus to the Rescue

Jesus does Paul one better! He says that you and I can unload on him and let him deal with our worries, because he cares for us—and the stuff we’re worried about (1 Peter 5:7). Chances are that you’re stressed out, anxious, worried, and fearful about something. God is longing to have a connection with us at all times so that we can lean on him when times get tough. You can know Jesus, and to know Jesus is to know peace.

In other words, you let Jesus/God call the shots in your life. You ask His opinion about your life and then wait for His answers. Aren’t you tired of trying to “do life” by yourself? I’ve got news for you: It doesn’t work! We all need someOne bigger and stronger to carry our burdens and sorrows (Isaiah 53:4).

1. Admit to God that you’re a sinner, and that there’s nothing you can do to change your sinful nature. Don’t worry. You’re not alone. The Bible tells us that every human being has the same problem (Romans 3:23). We are all sinners, but most people never admit it.

2. Ask God to apply to you the credit that belongs to Jesus for the perfect life that He lived and the death that He died to pay for your sins.

Jesus said: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, Message).

Are you stressed out, anxious, and worried? Don’t deal with it all by yourself. Give your life and your stresses to Jesus. Accept the perfect life that Jesus lived as a replacement of your sinful life. Next, accept Jesus’ death as payment for your sins so that you never have to die for your own sins. Then, get as close to Jesus as you possibly can. Learn about Him from the Bible and follow the way He lived. Invite Him into your heart.  Slowly, imperceptibly, Jesus will lift your burdens and give you peace, joy, and contentment.