Don't Stress Out

So many people go through life unhappy. Every day the news runs stories of those who give up on life because they are depressed and feel like there is no hope. Or I hear the stories of those who can’t find joy because of events that have occurred in their lives, and even though they couldn’t change what happened, they live with guilt and depression, thinking “if only….” 

I’m reminded of Romans 15:13 where it says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This verse teaches us that we need to learn to trust God. I can’t control everything that happens in my life, but I can control whether or not I trust God. Last Sunday we looked at one of the biggest effects on us if we don’t trust God—stress. I do not believe you are meant to live a life bogged down by stress, but instead we are meant to enjoy the joy and peace that comes from God. So, how do I experience God’s joy and peace?

Here are five things we can do in life to experience God’s peace, and if you will put these truths into practice you will be on the path to experiencing God’s promises for you. Each of these points is taken out of Philippians 4:7-13. Here are the keys to experiencing joy and peace:

1. Stop worrying – nowhere in the Bible does it tell us that we as believers should worry. In fact, it says the opposite: “Be anxious about nothing!”
2. Pray about everything – our problem is that we only pray when it gets really bad. We need to learn that prayer is a way for building our faith and letting our worries go. God hears your prayers and is ready to answer you.
3. Thank God in everything – don’t be confused by this. Paul told the church in Philippi to thank God in everything, but that doesn’t mean for everything. I’m not thankful for getting sick or for losing a job or for any other hardship that comes my way. However, no matter what happens to me I am thankful to God. I’m thankful that he is with me and will give me the strength to get through those times.
4. Think about good things – I am thankful for Philippians 4:8 because it teaches me what I should be thinking about. We get stressed out thinking about things that don’t matter in eternal perspective. Think on the things taught to us in this verse.
5. Be content – the biggest stresses most Americans face are from the pressures of trying to keep up with everyone else. Learn to be content with what you have been blessed with and don’t covet what others may have.