Today I’ve spent most of my time, when outside with the children, playing catch with them. It started off great with a game of catch with one of the boys and myself. Soon after, his friend joined in and we continued to play with no issues. However, it didn’t take long until a multitude of others decided to get involved, and I then found myself being bombarded with beanbags from many excited children yelling, “Catch It, Miss Cleeton!”. I was hastily flailing about, reaching in every direction, trying my best to catch at least one – much to their amusement! My quiet, calm catching game had soon erupted into a frenzied chaos! (Note to Self: Hide the beanbags tomorrow!!)
Anyway, this illustration reminds me of the times when it feels like everything is being thrown at you and you’re struggling to take hold of it all. We become easily overwhelmed in the stress and confusion, unsure of how we are going to manage things. Often we may wonder why we go through stressful situations, but it is through these moments that we find ourselves turning towards God, seeking more of Him. The Psalms are full of references of people doing just this:
“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears.”
Psalm 18:6
“I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to Him, and He answered my prayer.”
Psalm 120:1
When our lives are comfortable and easy, too often we drift away from God into our own bubbles of spiritual isolation and independence. Although things may be going well for us, it doesn’t mean we no longer need God as much. This is quite clear, as before too long we find ourselves back at the bottom, overcome with our stress, anxiety, doubts etc. I believe God brings us into stressful circumstances as a way of humbling ourselves before Him, and as a reminder of how much we truly need Him daily, regardless of our emotional state. We need God as a constant presence in our lives, not just using Him as a ‘plaster’ when we’re hurting.
Stress also helps to strengthen our faith. In the same way a muscle grows, through being stretched and exercised under strain, our faith too is developed when unusual demands are placed upon it. If a muscle is rarely used it often becomes limitless and useless, just like if our faith is not tested at times it will not, cannot grow. We go through stressful trials for a reason; This is where God is working within us. Consider this: When Daniel was in the lion’s den, he had a very good reason to be stressed out, as did Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego did when they faced the fiery furnace. However, they continued to follow and obey God, to tackle their doubts and fears, rather than wallow in self-pity and wonder ‘why God was allowing this to happen to them’. When we realise that there is a divine purpose for our trials, then the stress of dealing with them should diminish.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that we are never facing these things alone! God gives us the tools to handle stress healthily, to learn how to cope with the uncertainties, and to come through our challenges stronger and wiser for it. Most of the time, I follow the mindset that stressed backwards is desserts, and often find my answers in the bottom of the biscuit barrel – however this rarely helps my current mood and definitely doesn’t help my waistline. So what should we do when we feel stressed then? Firstly, dust off your bible! The Bible is God’s instruction manual for life. It gives us comfort, peace and hope, and the answers of how best to deal with things; including when we feel stressed.
Try focusing on the good things instead. Take time to stop and breathe, concentrating on the uplifting things of God, to help us see past our negative situations. By controlling our thoughts, this is the starting step in overcoming stress. And this is by no means easy! I’m a natural stress-head, and get easily overwhelmed when I’ve got a lot on my plate. Yet, I am trying to target my usual panic-mode and instead focus on what is going well, the promises of God and His goodness.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about these things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8
No matter how overwhelming or beyond our control things seem, they aren’t for God. Have you ever thought about asking God to help you change a situation that is causing you stress? Why not? Nothing is impossible with God. We read in Jonah Chapter 2, the prayer Jonah made when he was inside the big fish. He poured his heart out to God, in the midst of his distress he asked God to save him, to rescue him from his immensely stressful situation. And God did just so! God ordered the fish to spit out Jonah; just like that. Jonah had learnt his lesson, it was clear the reasons behind his difficult circumstances, and when he was ready, God brought him out of his troubled state.
“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Mark 10:27
So, when you are up against it, feeling like everything is being thrown at you, remember that being overwhelmed or stressed is not necessarily a ‘bad’ thing. It’s a natural reaction that proves how much we need God in our lives. It reminds us that we need to be calling on God daily, to assist and guide us in our decisions and circumstances. To prioritise Him above all else. Stress builds up our faith and helps us to grow as Christians. Being stressed is not pleasant, but it is one way in which God can develop our characters and relationship with Him. God is always with us; we need only call on His name!
God Bless! 🙂 x
STEADFAST 