Stop Stressing and Start Resting

I’ve been watching a few different shows lately and I have taken notice to something interesting. Every show has at least a character or two who seem to be perpetually stressed out. What seems to be common about them from show to show is they appear to be the successful ones. They are wearing the fancy suits and they have the big time jobs. Media seems to be telling us that stress is normal; they tie together stress and success which is just so not right!

Let me tell you a little bit about my personal story. I have the type of personality that is inclined to be constantly planning my life and then stressing out when the plans don’t work out quite the way I imagined. At a very young age I pretty much had my life plan all worked out; I was absolutely going to be a veterinarian. Because of this I put extremely high expectations on myself. I took all of the highest possible courses in school and if I got anything less than 90% on any assignments or tests I would beat myself up for weeks. At the age of 15 I was diagnosed with stomach ulcers. My doctor was quite shocked as typically that was not something diagnosed in a teenager. A little bit of science for you, my ulcer was formed because of my high levels of stress which started to raise the acidity of my stomach acid causing it to burn a hole in my stomach lining. (Hopefully that doesn’t gross you out too much.) Along with that my stress also brought headaches and extreme neck pain. Yikes right?

You see God doesn’t just give us commandments and guidelines because it’s fun for Him or because He had nothing better to do. He has given us the Bible because He loves us and wants only what is best for us! Stress doesn’t just affect us emotionally but physically as well and God knows that. My little sister posted a verse on Facebook the other day and it is one of my absolute favourites.

“But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

Matthew 6:33-34

Really that entire chapter is so good, if you have some time give it a read!

Today I am still dealing with the physical scar of my ulcers that were brought on by an unnecessary amount of stress stemming from a lack of trust in God. Thankfully, He is so faithful and He has brought me such a long way from my 15 year old self. The beauty of being a believer is we have absolutely no reason to be stressing out…ever! He PROMISES to take care of us ALWAYS, just like how He takes care of all of His creation. Jesus said:

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Isn’t that such a great promise!? Jesus says that all we have to do is come to Him and He will take all of our nasty, heavy burdens and give us rest! When I find myself getting overwhelmed with whatever my day is throwing at me I like to go over these verses again and again. Sometimes I even need to stop, take a deep breath and verbally remind myself…stop worrying; my Father has totally got this so I am passing it all over to Him.

Trust me ladies, stress is so not worth your time! So I hope this encourages you today to stop stressing and start resting in who you are in Christ!