Series 2 - Bible Answers for...
Greetings, everyone! If you are like most of us, you are feeling some
stress from circumstances in your life. Sometimes the stress we face feels
unbearable. But even daily stress can take a toll. Medical professionals
tell us stress is a killer. It is a risk factor for heart disease, strokes
and many other diseases. Stress makes such an impact on our lives, we
felt it was important to research and put together this lesson about "Coping
With Stress."
The Bible is a guidebook for dealing with life. God has provided us with
this manual about how we work. We hope as you are studying these Bible
lessons you are seeing that the Bible contains practical solutions to
the issues and challenges we all face, including the challenge of stress.
We welcome your comments about the lessons and encourage you to contact
us if you would like additional information or would like to talk personally
with one of our ministers. We are here for you!
Lesson: Coping With Stress
How
would you describe the world we live in today? Challenging, fast-paced,
dangerous, unstable, immoral? The apostle Paul describes the last days
as "perilous times" (2 Timothy 3:1). What are the results? Stress! We
can find ourselves feeling anxious and apprehensive about how the challenges
of the world will affect us personally. Thinking about these things,
we can simply get stressed out.
A group of people were asked to write down some of the things that
cause stress in their lives. Here are a few responses:
"At the moment the most stressful things for me are dealing with my
health issues, paying bills and feeling worthless because I can no longer
do what I used to do…"
"I tend to worry over a matter. What if this happens or what if that
happens, or how can I solve this? So I worry over problems―real or not
real: the job status, money, my anger that comes at times."
"I take on things that I feel I can't handle. I don't know how to say
‘no' and say, ‘That's too much for me right now.' I stress over everything!"
"It is very hard for me to not be able to please everyone. So this
causes stress in my life."
Share Your Story
What Does the Bible Say About Coping With Stress?
The Bible is God's instruction manual for life. It provides the answers
and gives us comfort, peace and hope for a brighter tomorrow. Can the
Bible really show us how to deal with our stress, regardless of our situation?
Let's look at some specific biblical principles that can help us cope
with stress.
Does God show us how to reduce stress?
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue
and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
When negative experiences and situations are coming at you, and when
it seems overwhelming, then stop, take a deep breath and simply take time
to focus on something lovely and good. Overcoming stress starts with the
ability to control our thoughts. We need to focus on the positive, uplifting
things of God.
Can God help if my problems seem overwhelming?
Mark 10:27
But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible,
but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
Even if we can't change something, God can. Do we believe that?
Have you ever thought about asking God to help you change a situation
that is causing you stress?
How can I find comfort in dealing with the trouble and stress
in my life?
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the
comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
God promises to comfort us in our times of stress. How about trying to
be a comfort to someone else who may be going through greater difficulties
than you are? Giving comfort or helping someone in another way usually
brings satisfaction and joy to the giver. There is more happiness in giving
than in receiving" (Acts 20:35, Good News Translation). Part of coping
with stress is learning to put it in the right perspective.
Can I expect my life to be more peaceful if I ask God for help?
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called
in one body; and be thankful.
God's plan is to bring peace to a troubled world at the return of Jesus
Christ. We can have that peace now if we follow His plan for peace. It
involves a lifestyle change and a change in our hearts. Peace is part
of the fruit of God's Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). You can learn more
about how to have peace in your life by reading the article "Peace:
The Hunger of Human Hearts."
Is there hope even if I feel like I've reached my limit in a
very serious, stressful situation?
1 Corinthians 10:13 (Good News Translation)
Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to
people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested
beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test,
he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with
a way out.
Consider biblical examples of people facing severe trials. Whatever the
trial, when they asked God for help, He provided the strength and help
for them to bear it. Jesus Christ Himself was "in agony" and "His sweat
became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" as He prayed
before His crucifixion (Luke 22:44). God strengthened Him, and God will
strengthen us as well when we ask.
Why do I have to put up with so much stress in my life? Why doesn't
God just take it away when I ask Him?
1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to
try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to
the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory
is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing
that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have
its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
We need to believe there is a reason for our trials and that God is in
control. God is not far off and unconcerned. He really is working in our
lives to transform us from what we are into what He wants us to become.
We need to accept trials and tests and understand what they are doing
for us.
What is the ultimate purpose of my stressful trials?
1 Timothy 2:3-4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires
all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ
Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen,
and settle you.
We go through stressful trials for a reason: God is working with us!
He was working with Joseph when he was at the bottom of a well and when
he was in an Egyptian prison. Joseph had a reason to be stressed out.
When Daniel was in the lion's den, he, too, had a reason to be stressed
out. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were facing their fiery trial,
they also had a reason to be stressed out.
But they kept going and obeying God. They faced their doubts and fears.
They didn't collapse in self-pity and wonder why God was allowing this
to happen to them. When you come to realize that there is a divine purpose
for your trials, then the stress of dealing with them should diminish.
Can I have confidence that God understands my stress?
Romans 8:35, 38-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities
nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love
of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Whatever trial you're going through, it cannot separate you from the
love of God. He understands! Jesus Christ knows what it's like to be human.
He loves us.
Ask God to help you learn the lesson He has for you. Ask God to help
you build His character through your trial. There is nothing wrong with
letting God know you're having trouble and you need His help. He wants
you to trust Him―to rely on Him for help.
Apply Now
There are many types of stressful situations, but this list can give
you some practical guidelines to apply in your own personal situation.
Some of these helpful suggestions are from Helpguide.org.
Look through this list, pick three things you feel could help you this
week and try them out. Next week you might want to pick one or two more
ideas to try.
- Learn to say "no."
- Shorten your "to do" list by removing the "shoulds" and keeping the
"musts." Drop tasks that aren't truly necessary to the bottom of the
list or eliminate them entirely.
- Learn what is really important in life and set those things as your
priority (see Luke 10:38-42).
- Learn to delegate to others when you can. Read the story of the advice
Moses received from his father-in-law, Jethro, in Exodus 18:13-24.
- Do not say or do things that consistently irritate someone. Know when
to be tactful and respectful about certain subjects (see Ephesians 4:31-32).
- Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or
someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful
way.
- Be willing to compromise your wishes (not your values) if compromise
will help solve the problem.
- Look at the big picture. Get things in perspective. How important
will it be in the long run? Will it matter in a year? Is it really worth
getting upset about? If not, focus elsewhere.
- Connect with other people, especially positive people. A strong support
system will help shield you from the effects of stress.
- Set aside rest and relaxation time in your daily schedule. Don't allow
other things to get in the way. This is your time to recharge your batteries.
Meditate on godly things. Listen to peaceful music. It's amazing what
10 minutes of that can do for you.
- Make time every day for leisure activities that you enjoy. Take a
walk; smell the roses; laugh. The act of laughing helps your body fight
stress in a number of ways (see Proverbs 17:22).
- Exercise regularly and incorporate healthy practices into your lifestyle:
eating well, getting adequate sleep and reducing caffeine or sugar intake.
- Practice good time management. Setting your priorities right includes
making absolutely sure you make time for family and for building a personal
relationship with God.
- Live by a budget. So many people struggle with financial problems.
Develop a budget and live by it.
Next Lesson: See the Bible
Study Guides series menu for your choice of future lessons to
study.
Questions about this lesson? Feedback about
this lesson?
Related Resources:
How
Can We Cope in a World of Rapid Change?
Are You
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Managing Your Finances
Marriage and Family:
The Missing Dimension
Making Life Work
Helping
Your Children Cope in Family Crises
A Vaccine
for Stress?
Peace:
The Hunger of Human Hearts
