“For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.” (Job 3:25-26 ESV)
Do the words of Job strike a chord with you? To say that he was stressed would be an understatement. So much is happening in his life, and he doesn’t know why. Everything is gone. His children, his servants, his flocks and herds. This is stress—to the extreme. His world is upside down, and nothing indicates that God ever told him why.
A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM
Stress is universal. Yes, it happens to the child of God as well as the non-believer. I’ve never met anyone who has lived totally stress free with no fear or worry. So many things will bring on stress: work situations, financial worries, relationship problems, wayward children, health issues. And the list goes on. It’s not just a modern-day woe. We find numerous examples in the Bible.
- Moses was stressed as he led a grumbling multitude through the wilderness.
- Hannah lamented her infertility and unfulfilled desires for a child.
- Naomi grieved the loss of her husband and both sons while living in a foreign land.
- Elijah experienced burnout and felt he was the only one still faithful to God.
- Joseph endured the stress of his brothers’ resentment, false accusations, and imprisonment.
- Martha was stressed by her efforts to be the perfect hostess.
david praises god
Let’s look at one more person whose life held many stresses. In Psalm 13:1-2, David cried out:
“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day? How long will my enemy dominate me? (CSB)
As David pours out his heart to God, we can feel his anguish. Has David given up in despair? We might think so until we read further. In verses 5 and 6 David continues.
“But I have trusted in your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in your deliverance. I will sing to the LORD because he has treated me generously.” (CSB)
Yes, David endured many difficult things, but he never forgot the faithfulness of God. His trust was intact as he sang to his Deliverer. David chose to praise his way out of worry and despair, and we can do the same.
We may struggle with Philippians 4:6, which tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Is that possible with so many stresses in our lives? In our fast-paced, busy world, we are often overwhelmed by our many responsibilities. Is there a key to living anxiety-free?
Philippians 4:6 not only tells us to not be anxious, but it also tells us how to overcome our anxiety and fear. “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” As we are to turn it over to the Lord in prayer, we tell Him what we need and then thank Him for His faithful goodness.
Yes, it is possible to praise our way to peace!
FOR PERSONAL STUDY
When you feel stressed and like your life is out of control, turn to the Word of God. Below are several Scripture passages to encourage you and remind you that God is always by your side. You may wish to create your own “go to” list of favorite verses.
Exodus 14:14
Psalm 46:10
Psalm 55:22
Psalm 94:19
Psalm 119:143
Isaiah 26:3
Jeremiah 29:11
Matthew 6:26-27
II Corinthians 4:7-9
II Thessalonians 3:16
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
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