Overcoming Stress

Helping people overcome stress and other issues that hinder them from reaching God’s best for their life is something that I am passionate about.  For me, I have always found it quite difficult “being still and know that I am God” when hell is throwing everything but the kitchen sink at me.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, chaos is the way of the devil.  Satan is a bull in a china shop and he wants to watch the world burn. 

Why does he act that way?  Because if we are constantly running around panicked and frustrated, we cannot focus on what needs to be done, most of all, it hinders our ability to hear from God and do what he asks.

Think about the different ways in which Hell tries to keep us out of sorts and unable to focus on God…

-We find ourselves too busy with things that need to get done and we tend to forget to talk to God.

-That contentious person that always seems to push our buttons at the wrong time and ruin our mood… do we really think that happens to be a coincidence?

-That financial problem that keeps you in the job that drains the life out of you and makes you think more about the problem at hand than living out God’s will.

-Those situations in your past that get thrown in your face to make sure that the past remains your present and future as well.

-That friend that you are loyal to who does not reciprocate that loyalty, and by doing so is keeping you from life giving friendships.

These are just a few distractions, but I noticed that Satan is full of surprises.  He knows how to get to us, and he will continue to do so if we do not know how to deal with the situation.

You might be asking, how can we do that?  Be still.

When you read Psalm 46, the Psalmist is talking about natural disasters and war.  What is the response during that time?  Be still.  You might ask, “why be still?  There is obviously something wrong here and we have to act now!”  But what good are we if we are acting without a clear mind?

In my life, I have found my worst decisions have been impulsive ones.  I have never known God to hurry me into a decision, and I doubt he will with you.   So what do we do?

-Know the shepherd’s voice:  This can be learned by reading the word, praying habitually, and engaging in many of the disciplines (see Richard Foster’s Celebration of Disciplines for a full list).   This way, you will never be fooled when a “false shepherd” comes and tries to convince you that they are the true shepherd.  The same way a banker knows a counterfeit dollar bill because they are constantly working with dollar bills, we will know the voice of God since we spend so much time with him.  If we are rushed, we might following the wrong voice.  Being still helps recognize his voice from the imposter’s voice.

-Control the Tempo:  In basketball, fast paced offenses rely on their ability to outrun the competition.  To shut down the offense, the team on defense must take away the speed game and force them into trying to be fundamental.  In the same way, when we give ourselves time to think and react to what Satan is doing, he is unable to rush us into bad decisions.

-Pray for strength and wisdom:  James writes that those who lack wisdom should ask for it, and it will be given to them (James 1:5).  It is also written that he will help us endure hardships (2 Corinthians 4:7-12).  Ask God for those as we take on our struggles and attacks from the enemy.  When I rush to counter the attack, I usually forget to ask for this.  God is stronger and wiser, so it is in our best interest ask for his help.

-Build a team to help you:  Often times, we try to do it alone.  We think that it is our burden to bear or we don't trust others.  This is why we have to remember to have people in our lives that keep us accountable, help us get tasks done, and stand along side us in prayer.   Remember, where two or three are gathered, so is God (Matthew 18:20).  While being still, carefully pick people to assist you through this time.

These are just a few things that can help you along the way, but I wanted to write this because it seems that I have known too many people recently who are being frustrated by they enemies chaos tactics. Elijah encountered God not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire.  It was a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13). 

So if you are struggling today with a chaotic life, take a deep breath, be still, and listen.  It is not easy, but in the end it is worth it because it is better to wait on the Lord patiently than run into a mistake that’s hard to undo.

In closing, I am praying for peace and wisdom for whoever reads this today.  God bless you, and may you find freedom from stress!