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You can’t live in the past. You can’t live in the future. You can only live today.
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 a stop to it.
When our life seems to be going in the wrong direction it can cause us to be stressed. But knowing the plan already designed for you and walking in harmony with it can remove 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.
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 told them as soon as you enter Jerusalem, you'll see a man carrying a pitcher with water in it 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. God was in control because he has the power to influence how things will happen.
It can be challenging to give up control because it makes us feel unsafe and unsecure. However, when you grow to trust God, you will surrender that control.
Patience helps with having a stress-free life. When we wait on God our problems will become manageable enabling us to resolve things because we will see it 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). Patience is a great characteristic to have because it allows the time and observation needed to help you make the right decisions.
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 give way to anxiety or uneasiness. When you allow your mind to dwell on past difficulties or fear the future's unknown, this can cause stress. But God can allow you to have a life where your past difficulties create beautiful outcomes, 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.
Stress can cause health problems that start in the mind and can affect how you feel physically. When we stress it releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that increases your breathing and heart rate. If not dealt with, it can lead to high blood pressure and pain causing more stress.
Stress can cause premature ageing causing you to age faster than normal. When you are stressed, you can lose sleep which affects your immune system which can lead to sickness.
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.
Life will always present problems. Stress in the case of fight or flight in response to perceived harm, attack, or threats is natural and normal. Outside of that, we should not be allowing life’s events to stress us.
Living stress-free
When you need help or are looking for answers, you need someone who understands you and your situation (Hebrews 4:13). This person should be someone who understands your thoughts, knows everything about you and someone who can see 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)
To live a stress-free life is first knowing God, then you'll know how amazing your life plan is, and what he promised you will happen. This will help you not to worry about things in your life like your relationships, finances, careers, or business, etc., because you know eventually it will work to your benefit.
When the walls are caving in you won't be stressed, because you already know it is all part of the process and not the end.
Life is a sequence of chapters, some easier than others, but each chapter in your life is necessary to complete destiny and fulfill purpose. And when you ask God for 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 ESV and it says, “and we know that those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to purpose.” Go to God so he can give you peace of mind and rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28-30).
If you've found this blog valuable, please remember to share it on social media below. Sharing is a free way to share the Gospel and to let everyone know that God loves us so much that he took the troubles of the world upon his shoulders so you and I can live a stress-free life.
A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will come to live inside you. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, and He will live in your heart where you and Him become one and have a relationship.
All you have to do is make the choice of salvation by repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus into your life by confessing that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He came from Heaven to die for your sins (Romans 10:9).
Here's a prayer you can repeat:
"Jesus, I confess that you are Lord, and I believe you died and was risen for my sins. I repent and ask for forgiveness of my sins, and I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior. Come into my heart and remove my sins. Thank you for forgiving me and making me into a new person in Jesus' name, Amen."
Once you have done this, please pray and ask God to guide you to a ministry where you can grow, mature, and start living the abundant life Jesus promised and died for.
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