Stressed and Anxious?

Have you ever lost sleep due to stress and anxiety?  I have.  Even recently, I’ve had some nights wherein the thoughts of the day, the stuff going on in our nation, and things that are taking place in my personal life have accumulated in my mind and have kept my mind turning, keeping me from falling asleep.  I know the same has happened to most of you at one time or another.   

We are told that, people today are more stressed and anxious than ever before.  A recent study highlighted on the news this past week revealed the high levels of stress and anxiety people across our nation are feeling due to this year’s presidential campaign.  Some people have confirmed to me the same, saying that, especially after watching the presidential debates they have felt their stress levels go up and have had difficulty sleeping that night. I know exactly how they feel!  Some have gotten to the point wherein they refuse to watch any longer; some have even stopped reading and watching the news altogether due to the high stress and anxiety levels it was causing them. 

Of course, it’s not only our political scene that can create such stress and anxiety within our lives.  Pressures on our jobs, difficulties in our relationships, sometimes just the pace of life can all cause our adrenaline levels to rise, our minds to spin, and our bodies to feel stressed and anxious.  One doctor told me, even a series of good things happening in one’s life at a very fast pace—e.g. getting married, a new job, moving into a new home—can create feelings of stress and anxiety. 

So, what’s the answer? I know that there can be many ways for us to deal with the stress and anxiety that life brings our way. And, many of those techniques can be helpful.  But the Bible gives us the best of instruction of all: “Cast all your anxiety on him (God) because he cares for you.”  (1 Peter 5:7 – NIV) 

The Bible gives us an invitation to come to God with all of our stresses and anxieties, realizing that he is a God who does care about each one of us.  He is concerned for our lives, what it is we are facing, and how it is we are feeling.  Thus, he calls us to take all of our cares, concerns, points of stress, and anxiety and bring them to him in prayer, trusting him to be with us and to help us.

If you’re feeling a bit stressed and anxious today, bring it to God. He loves you and cares for you.  He is able to replace your stress and anxiety with his peace and joy. 

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”  (Psalm 94:19 – NIV)

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris