Dear reader:
Let’s face it. We are living in stressful times. It’s one thing to live in a world brimming with pressure. It’s another experience to live a life overwrought with tension.
How do you cope with all that stress?
As believers enduring times of overwhelming stress, we know to turn to the rock that is higher than ourselves—Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus is our unwavering foundation. We can count on our God to help us through troubling times.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2 (NIV)
What steps can you take to help you cope with overwhelming stress?
1. Acknowledge your stress before God. The Lord cares deeply about your burdens (1 Peter 5:7).
2. Seek solace in prayer, pouring out your heart and finding comfort in His presence.
3. Trust that God’s peace can transcend your circumstances.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
4. Immerse yourself in Scripture, allowing the living Word to renew your mind (Romans 12:2). Allow God’s Word to guide and comfort you during times of heightened stress.
5. Engage in intentional worship and praise. Focusing on worship and praise shifts our eyes from our troubles to the goodness of our great God.
6. Anchor yourself in the promises of God. The Lord, our God, is the source of real peace and the one who is powerful enough to help us hold firm in the midst of a storm. God walks with us through the fire.
7. Lean on other believers to help bear your burdens. Share your struggles with those who makeup your unique Christian community. Give them and opportunity to walk alongside you in prayer and encouragement.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Over a decade ago, I worked as a multi-unit supervisor for a now iconic Texas restaurant company. It’s the place local people take people who are from out of town to experience a taste of the Lone Star State. For 17 years, in a variety of roles, I served as a key player in helping develop this restaurant business. I poured countless hours, blood, sweat, and tears into making it a success. In the process, I grew closer to Christ.
Then one day, it became clear God intended me to move into a different season and into a way different calling. The tension and stress surrounding this change of direction had been brewing hot for nearly two years. The only real question was if I was going to heed God’s call on my life and surrender everything I had worked my whole life for OR if He was going to have to give me a big push onto the right course.
The moment I decided to let go and let God, a peace beyond any expectation and all understanding washed over me.
Living the Christian life is always about our willingness to surrender. Nothing more, nothing less.
Prayer for Coping with Overwhelming Stress
Dear Heavenly Father,
In these times of overwhelming stress, I turn my heart to You for refuge and strength. Please give me the peace that surpasses all understanding. I need to know that Your love is my source of comfort. I feel lost and like I’m drowning. Help me cast all my cares upon You. Help me trust in Your guidance and show me how I can find solace in Your presence. Please, God, help me. Strengthen my faith and renew my spirit. Deep down inside of me, I know that with You for by my side, I can face any challenge. Help me, O God. Help me. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
Living the Christian life is always about our willingness to surrender.
Rainer Bantau
Nothing more, nothing less.
The Devotional Guy™
My friend, I pray all is well with you. As you go out into the world please remember: the greater the darkness, the brighter the light!
Shalom,
Rainer Bantau
The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
I get that. I think it’s difficult to admit that we are feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Maybe, we don’t recognize it at first. But you’re right—when we don’t acknowledge we need help we cheat ourselves by not depending on God—which I’ve grown to understand is the whole point of our spiritual journey. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
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These are great steps, Rainer. Honestly that first one “acknowledge” is probably the hardest for me, as I refuse to acknowledge to myself that I’m stressed which only exasperates the situation because that means I’m not acknowledging it to God either.
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I think there’s something to be said about practicing stillness and solitude as believers. Even Jesus needed to get away from the crowds. I appreciate you sharing your insights and giving us a glimpse of how you cope with stress. Good stuff. Thanks for reading and engaging! Blessings.
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One way I deal with all the stress is to tune out. I limit my exposure to news media, television, and online streaming services. This allows me to focus on the Bible, Christian literature, helpful books I’m interested in, and (most importantly) the people in my immediate sphere of influence.
To some, this sounds like sticking one’s head in the sand. Yet I find it freeing.
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Amen, Bridget. Times are always difficult from one generation to the next. God is unchanging and unwavering. We can rely on Him to get us through the fire. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
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Thank you for this. Life has been stressful lately, and I appreciate the tips and the prayer. God is always with us, no matter what we are going through. What comfort that brings. But we must remember to keep our eyes on Him.
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