While on a road trip from Houston to Phoenix, I came to a 12-mile stretch of road that was under construction. Two lanes had narrowed to one with concrete abutments on each side. The 70 mile an hour speed limit had slowed to 35 mph.
The cars in front of me soon disappeared from sight, while the traffic behind me began to pile up. With an 18-Wheeler behind me on my bumper, and another 18-Wheeler behind him, it soon became apparent that I should either “push, pull, or get out of the way.”
Needless to say, I was under a great deal of stress!
Most of us, at one time or another, feel as though we’re under a great deal of stress. The question before us is “What do we do?” Well, it has been my experience that we let God be in control of our situation by first, concentrating on the things that calm us.
The apostle Paul in his letter to the believers at Philippi exhorted them, saying: “Whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are honest; whatsoever things are just; whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are lovely; whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
There is no doubt that we are engaged in spiritual warfare. The battlefield of all spiritual warfare is the mind. Satan comes against us with negative and destructive thoughts. To paraphrase the apostle Paul, I would say this: “If there be any genuine character-building value, or anything worthy and commendable in something: let such fill your mind.”
Second, to deal with stress, cooperate with inevitable conditions. It is certain that we cannot change some things. 1) we’re all going to get older; 2) most of us will experience physical ailments; and 3) we will all experience some kind of loss. Our situation can either cause us stress, or we can learn to accept the inevitable.
A great stress reliever is to learn as did Paul that “All things work together for good to those who love God, and who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8: 28).
Third, in order to deal with stress, we must always trust God with all our concerns. Experience is the best teacher, and something that I have learned is that I cannot always solve my own problems. Sometimes the problems are bigger than I; therefore, it takes someone as big and as powerful as God to solve them
Solomon wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct their paths” (Proverbs 3: 5 6). Surely, walking by faith with our hand now firmly held by our loving Father’s is the greatest stress reliever there is known to man.
Jerry L. Dunn is pastor of Oak Street Baptist Church, Kingman
