Stress is the natural reaction your body has when changes or challenges occur. Everyone experiences it at some time as it cannot be avoided. The strain, struggle, burden, or pressure, can be overwhelming. It can leave a person unable to cope or make wise choices. There is a mental or emotional response that interferes with the normal function of the brain. Stress will impede your ability to think and process. Pressure increases and the balance of life is thrown off. It consumes thought and mental energy. Even in small, daily amounts, stress can leave you drained and empty.

Common reactions lead to irritability, anger, mood swings, or emotional withdrawal. It can cause havoc in relationships. The reaction to stress can cause symptoms physically as well as mentally or emotionally. It causes your body to be flooded with cortisol and other hormones, and can lead to health issues such as anxiety, depression, headaches, digestive issues, sleep problems. and an increased risk of heart disease.

What are the keys to understanding how to deal with the pressures of life? How can stress be avoided despite the challenges of society and the difficulties of everyday life? Let’s look at the wisdom of scripture as we seek to manage our stress. How can God’s word lead us into wisdom to deal with life? There is a passage in 1 Peter that speaks to many of the facets of this problem.

1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world in undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

The first piece of advice here, is to humble yourself before God. It helps to realize that you cannot master stress by yourself. It is OK to admit that you are not handling things well, and need some help. God has a plan to lead you through it, and to lift you up. He is asking you to turn to Him, and dump all of your stress and uneasy emotions on Him. He cares for you and will comfort and guide you in your difficult moments. You do not have to let things escalate until you are desperate and totally unable to function before getting some help.

The next piece of information is that you have an enemy, the devil. Society’s general thought is that Satan is not real, and is certainly not aware of you. Regardless of this opinion, the Bible is very clear that the enemy is attacking us. His only goal is to steal, kill and destroy. We are told in this passage that our job is to resist him, standing firm in our faith. We can choose to turn to the Lord and rely on His love and care. We do not need to yield to the pressures and stress of life. It also helps to realize we are not alone. All over the world, there are others who are also in a battle for peace of mind. We can talk to a friend who has gone through this battle, and gain encouragement for our own journey.

The best part of this passage for me, is when it states that God Himself will restore you, and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. The ESV translation says He will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” That, is the triumphant Savior coming to our rescue. He is on our side, and is active in bringing us into victory. Yes, we might be suffering a little while, but that is our motivation to turn to Him, our deliverer. He can take you out of the stress and anxiety of life, and deliver you into the peace that surpasses understanding. Let’s fully rely on His strength and power to establish us as we triumph over stress, and walk in grace.

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”