Stress. We all experience it in our lives. Whether it be from struggles in relationships with family or friends, failure in various areas of our lives, or being overwhelmed by it all, stress can be a significant force in our lives. How we respond to and handle stress in our lives can affect our physical, mental and spiritual health.
There was a time when stress controlled my life. While high school seems like such a care-free time, my self-worth and personal fulfillment were so focused on achieving success in athletics and academics that I applied significant pressure upon myself to excel in these areas. What I found was that no level of success was satisfying, I always pushed myself to do better. I often found myself laying awake at night fretting over how to achieve the success, or manipulate the circumstances, that I thought would bring fulfillment.
God promises peace even in the midst of stressful circumstances. After becoming a Christian in my freshman year of college I began to trust Christ with details in my life. I quickly experienced the validity of God's promise in Philippians 4:6-7: "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 comprehension shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." I find that when I heed God's advice, when I trust Him with circumstances rather than becoming stressed by them, I do experience the peace that He promises. This peace is a welcome relief from the stress I experienced so frequently in my past, and continue to experience when I fail to trust Christ.
Becoming a Christian does not mean that life's stressful situations go away. Rather, as Christians we can experience God's peace "that surpasses all comprehension" in the midst of stressful situations. And, miracle of miracles, God can even use stressful situations in our lives as opportunities for growth and maturity. The Old Testament documents examples of men and women that became better and stronger people as a result of stressful situations in their lives. The key, as I have experienced in my life, is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and claiming the truth and validity of His promises (i.e., trusting Him in the midst of stressful circumstances and anticipating the peace He promises). Peace, or anxiety; I know which I am choosing. How about you?
David A. Sabatini
Associate Professor
School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
If you have any questions or comments you can E-Mail me at SABATINI@LINCOLN.ECN.OU.EDU