Here is a question for you to think about today: Is stress a sin?
Daily we are faced with things that may bring us to a point of stress. Stress is the reaction to challenges that affect your mind and body. You may be stressed right now because of the load you are carrying with school, work, ministry, fine arts and sports! If you weren't stressed, you may be now that you remembered you have an assignment due! Yea...that feeling.
Is there a right way and a wrong way to handle stress?
Let's break down Philippians 4:6-7 together so that in this busy time of year, we can handle our stress biblically:
Philippians 4:6a Be careful for nothing...
The command in scripture is to be anxious or worried about nothing.
But, isn't that impossible? We can't help it when life as we know it is turned upside down and shaken! Try as hard as we may, we cannot change the life altering events around us.
I do not believe that stress in and of itself is sin...but how we treat our stress can be. Look at the second part of Philippians 4:6b ..but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
I want to leave you with the picture to back up this truth.
Luke 22:44a And being in agony (under stress) he (Jesus) prayed more earnestly...
Jesus Christ himself, who committed no sin, was under stress at the time of the prayer in the garden. But how did Jesus handle His stress? He followed Philippians 4:6 and brought His request to the Father.
I love that Luke even added the words "more earnestly."
In your time of intense stress, when you cannot change the life altering events around you...pray more earnestly!
Now there are times that procrastination brings on warranted stress. You can help this next time by being diligent and working ahead. There are also times that you may have said yes to too many things, and next time you need to evaluate what's on your plate. But there are times in which you cannot stop the events that happen around you. You can, however, bring them to God.
What is the result of bringing your stress to God? ~ Peace.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God...shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Stress affects the mind and the body in a negative way.
God's peace affects the mind and body in a positive way.
Are you handling your stress in a biblical way today?
Praying for you all! Let the peace of God rule your heart today and pray earnestly!
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