By Pastor Jack Marbida
Stress is the root cause of many problems and sicknesses of the body. Children sometimes cannot bear with distance learning anymore and are stressed out because of their studies. Some result to stress eating which is also not good for health.
Why are you stressed? Some most common sources of stress are the thought of the future of the nation, money and work. Some also include health and relationship as sources of stress. John 16:22 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The world will give you troubles but God has overcome all of these things. In the Bible, who do you think experienced stress? Elijah was stressed when water was running out in the Brook of Cherith. david was stressed when Saul was on his trail, wanting. To kill him. Moses was stressed when he was trying to free the Israelites from Egypt. Paul was stressed when he was shipwrecked, bitten by a snake and imprisoned too. If they were stressed, you can be stressed too. You have to assess yourself and admit to yourself that you are, or else you cannot do anything about it.
Most of the time, stress comes from your own choices and decisions. You have the power to choose but you do not have the power to choose the consequences of the latter. How can you choose correctly to be rid of stress?
Three prayer points you can ask God for are:
God give me control. - Why is self-control important? Proverbs. 25: 28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Are you able to make wise decisions? With regards to money, eating, reading your Bible and your emotions? Can you control what you do within the day? It is highly encouraged for Christians to talk to God first thing in the morning. When you reach for your cellphone, do you read or do you scroll? Choose wisely, lest you be overcome by the enemy.
God give me understanding. - Self-control without understanding is useless. Where is your stress coming from? Do you have a misunderstanding with anybody? Sometimes you do things that stress yourself. You have to look at yourself and infer and inquire. There are times when you do not even know that you have a problem. Where can you find understanding? Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Understanding only comes from God. Talk to Him everyday. You reap what you sow. Sow wisdom and understanding. You can make an excuse and say you do not know and you do not understand. Ask. Ask your doctor. Ask your pastor. Join a small group. Ask God to make things clear to you.
God give me a plan. - Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Plan ahead. For the next week, the next month, and even the next year. Ask God to help you plan for what can help you. Failing to plan is planning to fail. Put it into action. Do not just say it. Ask God to guide you. Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
God came so you can have eternal life. Surrender everything to Him. He loves you so much. Matthew 11:28 says, ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Are you still stressed?