Dealing with Stress Biblically

We are moving house this week (well supposed to be anyway!). It wouldn’t be so bad if everything was happening as it should do, but as usual with house moves, it’s not… so everything is behind which is very stressful.

There are any number of practical things you can do when you’re feeling stressed – my favourites being to take a walk, or go lie down and pray somewhere. But with three small children and a lot of things to do, that isn’t really possible at the times when I would most need it! So I had to figure out how to calm myself down in the middle of it all, without going anywhere, retreating to a quiet place, calling a friend…

I think that as a Christian it really comes down to two important things to do, which come down to one thing, and that is depending on God. When we depend on God we gives Him our worries and cares, and ours become much lighter. This may seem like obvious stuff – but I think we always need reminding!

Pray

The most powerful Person in the universe is on your side if you have believed in Jesus, and He loves you, cares for you, has a plan for your life, and wants to help you! How often we forget that! So we can ask Him for help, about everything – from the tiniest thing to the biggest thing.

God has promised that if we pray about everything, with thanksgiving, then he will give us peace that is beyond comprehension, a great de-stressor!

But I think it is important that we pray specifically too, not just, ‘Lord please let this move go well’ (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but, “Please let us move this week, help us to get everything done that is necessary”, and so on! I have seen really specific answers to prayer when I have prayed like that and I believe God loves to hear our requests.

Trust

Yesterday I was sitting thinking about all the ‘what if’s’. Then I turned my thoughts to try and think in a God-perspective. Suddenly this verse sprang into my mind:

As I meditated on this verse (which I could do because I had memorised it – the best thing about memorising!), I started laughing. I was stressing about moving house, when this guy is saying we don’t even need to worry if the mountains fall into the sea!! Basically I am worrying about nothing, and that verse totally put it into perspective for me.

That is why we need to trust – trust in who God is, trust that He cares for us, trust that He is in control, trust that He will work it out. When we trust God, we can have peace no matter what is going on.

I think the key to trusting God is to talk scripture and truth to yourself, and claim God’s promises. Knowing key verses really helps. Here are some truths and promises that I am reminding myself of this week:

• God is in control Rom 8:28
• He will work it out for our good even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time Rom 8:28
• He is powerful to do more than we can ask or imagine – so I need to pray and ask Him for help, and then trust that He can do it Eph 3:30
• Sometimes God allows trials as a way of helping us grow in our Christian life – so I should look on this trial as something I can use for His glory if I respond rightly James 1:2,3, 1 Peter 1:6,7
• God will not allow me to be tried beyond what I can cope with 1 Cor 10:13

Are there any particular truths or scriptures that have helped you trust God in stressful times? I would love to hear what they are if you want to share them in the comments.

Today I am linking up with one of my favourite blogs, Women Living Well. If you want to read what other people have posted and linked up there you can click below and spend all day reading!!