The Answer to Living a Stress-Free Life
- Heather Edmund
- Jul 4, 2020
- 9 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
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You can't live in the past and you can't live in the future, but you can live today.
Living in the past can bring regret, nostalgia, or pain, dwelling on memories and experiences that have passed. Conversely, focusing on the future may lead to anxiety, worry, and anticipation, as it is a realm of uncertainty. The only moment we control is the present, where we can make choices, take action, and shape our lives. By embracing the present with mindfulness and gratitude, we can experience true happiness and fulfillment.
People react differently when in stressful situations. And what may be stressful for one person may not be stressful for someone else. But once you find the cause of your stress, the next step is finding out how to put an end to it.
Feeling stressed can occur when our life appears to be heading in the wrong direction. However, understanding the pre-existing plan for us and aligning ourselves with it can alleviate stress (Proverbs 16:9, Psalm 32:8).
There're many situations that can cause stress like relationships, family, money, or fear of the future. When you feel like you can't influence decisions in your life you may feel a lack of control. But instead of worrying about what you can't control focus on what you can control and leave what you can't in God's care.
People like clarity. When things are unclear and there's no clear expectations it can lead to stress and frustration. God shares with us in his Word that he knows our life plans and it includes, health, happiness, and fortune which should give you hope.
Why Stress When God is Sovereign
During the last supper that Jesus shared with His apostles, He knew Peter and John would meet a man carrying a pitcher of water at 3:00pm.
Jesus instructed them that as soon as they entered Jerusalem, they will see a man carrying a pitcher of water and to follow him. They were to follow this man to a house where they were to tell the owner of the house, “The teacher asks where the guest room is to have the Passover meal with my disciples.” When Peter and John went, they found everything just as Jesus had said it. This demonstrated that God is in control, and that He has the power and authority to shape events.
Letting go of control can be difficult as it can trigger feelings of vulnerability, fear and even insecurity. Nevertheless, as your trust in God strengthens, you will be able to relinquish that control.
Effective Ways to Relieve Stress
Having Patience
Having patience contributes to a life free from stress. By waiting on God, we can better handle our problems, allowing us to find solutions by viewing them from God's perspective.
In the Bible Moses told God he would not do anything without him. And Moses spent 7 days waiting on God for his next move when he went up on the mountain to meet with God (Exodus 24:15-16).
Also David when he came back from war only to find that his wife and kids and the men that were fighting with him their wife and family was kidnapped along with all their stuff and the men who was fighting with him wanted to kill him, he did not let threats, fear, anger, or emotions push him to act, instead he waited on God's advice to know what best to do and that's what he did and David and his men were able to rescue their family and get their things back.
Also, David returned from battle only to discover that his wives, his men’s families, and all their belongings had been taken captive. His men were devastated and so angry that they even talked about killing him. But David didn’t react out of fear, pressure, anger, or emotion. Instead, he stopped, strengthened himself in the Lord, and sought God’s direction before making a move. When David followed God’s guidance, he and his men were able to rescue their families and recover everything that had been taken, and they took everything the enemy had on top of that. (1 Samuel 30:1–8, 17–20).
Patience is a great characteristic to have because it allows the time and observation needed to help you make the right decisions.
Letting Go of the Past & Stop Worrying About the Future
Matthew 6:34 NLT says, “so don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”
Worrying about what happened in the past or what will happen in the future may open the door and give way to anxiety or uneasiness.
When you let your thoughts linger on past challenges or worry about the uncertainties of the future, it can result in stress. But God can allow you to have a life where your past difficulties create beautiful outcomes (your life lessons can be turned into blessing), and where your future is secured.
"You can’t live in the past. You can’t live in the future. You can only live today. When you worry about tomorrow’s problems, you miss the blessings of today and you cannot solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s power." —unknown
Stressing is a waste of energy and a lost cause, especially when the situation cannot be changed. Matthew 6:27 NLT says, “can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Simply put, stress is not going to solve the problem or get you anywhere.
Health issues triggered by stress often originate in the mind and can manifest as physical symptoms. Stress prompts the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which elevate breathing and heart rate. If left unaddressed, this can result in elevated blood pressure and discomfort, further exacerbating the stress.
Experiencing stress can accelerate the ageing process, causing you to age more rapidly than usual. Stress can disrupt your sleep patterns, impacting your immune system and increasing the likelihood of falling ill.
Stress can cause symptoms like headaches, heart problems, diabetes, skin issues, depression and anxiety. Stress can affect your concentration and disrupt your daily activities making it hard to focus. The bottom line is, stress is harmful to you both psychologically and physically.
Living stress-free
Challenges are an unavoidable part of life, but how we respond to them will encourage stress or stop it dead in it's tracks.
Feeling stressed and triggering the fight or flight response when we perceive danger, attack, or threats is a natural reaction. However, apart from these situations, we should not let life's circumstances overwhelm us.
When you need help or are looking for answers, you need someone who understands you and your situation (Hebrews 4:13). This individual should be someone who is familiar with your innermost thoughts, knows everything about you, and capable of seeing everything (Psalm 139:1-3).
You need a person who is highly intelligent and full of wisdom (Proverbs 2:8-11). A person who can see your problems from the best viewpoint (Isaiah 55:9). And someone who knows what you need and can provide that need (2 Corinthians 9:8; Luke 12:24; Matthew 6:33).
God is someone with these qualifications and abilities. God has all the answers and knows everything about you even the things that are deep down in your heart (Acts 1:24).
Pursuing God allows you to live a life of peace and joy because you know everything in your life is being taken care of by Him who happens to be the best steward for your life.
When you place your situations and life in God's care, He will guide you through them into freedom because wherever God is there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). And when God gives you freedom from issues that are stressing you out, you will stay free (John 8:36). "For you have been called to live in freedom..." (Galatians 5:13).
"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"
— Romans 8:31 (NLT)
Knowing God is crucial for leading a stress-free life. Through Him, you will realize the greatness of your life's purpose and the fulfillment of His promises. This understanding will alleviate concerns about various aspects of your life, such as relationships, finances, career, and business, as you trust that everything will ultimately work out in your favor.
Even when the walls are caving in you won't feel stressed or overwhelmed, as you recognize that it's just a part of your life journey, not the end.
Life is a sequence of chapters, some easier than others, yet each chapter in your life plays a crucial role in fulfilling destiny and purpose. And by seeking God's guidance, your life's story will have a happy ending.
"In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free."
— Psalm 118:5 (NLT)
Give your problems and burdens to God and He will take care of them (Psalm 55:22). Don’t worry about anything, instead pray for everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done (Philippians 4:6).
There’s a popular verse Romans 8:28 KJV and it says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Go to God so He can give you peace of mind and rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28-30).
Trust, patience, and knowing God—these three keys will help you live a stress-free life. Start spending time with God today, because it's hard to trust someone you don't know. It will also help you see how patience plays a crucial role in achieving a stress-free life.
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A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His Spirit becomes one with yours. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You no longer need to go through anyone else to reach God—because you and He are now united.
All you need to do is receive the gift of salvation by repenting of your sins, inviting Jesus into your life, and confessing Him as Lord. This involves acknowledging your sin and the need for forgiveness, believing that Jesus died for your sins and rose again, and then surrendering your life to Him.
As Romans 10:9 declares, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” And 1 John 4:15 assures us, “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.”
Another important step is to renounce the kingdom of darkness. By doing so, you are breaking any covenant or partnership with it and recommitting yourself to the Kingdom of Light—Jesus Christ.
When you take this step, you are saved and welcomed into God’s Kingdom—becoming a member of the family of Christ!
Here's a Prayer that you can pray to get saved:
"Jesus, I confess that You are Lord, and I believe in my heart that You died and rose again for my sins. I know that I am a sinner, and I repent and ask for Your forgiveness. I invite You to come into my heart and life, and I receive You as my personal Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Renounce the Kingdom of Darkness
Right now, I renounce and break all ties, covenants, and agreements with the kingdom of darkness, knowingly or unknowingly made. I reject Satan, all his works, and every influence of evil over my life.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Lead me, teach me, and establish me in Your purpose. From this day forward, I belong to Jesus. I am a child of God, and I walk in the light. In Jesus' name, Amen.
After this step, pray for guidance to find a ministry where you can grow spiritually, gain knowledge about the kingdom, and begin living the abundant life promised by Jesus.
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