Fretless

I watched a National Geographic film in class this week that discussed stress, what it is meant for, and how it can negatively affect our lives (they also tried to tie in something about baboons). It got me thinking…

I stress on a daily basis. I stress like it’s my job. I tend to procrastinate on purpose to give myself an incentive to get work done. And I’m willing to bet that 99% of people, especially my fellow colleagues, could write a novel with their current stressors. While stress is a natural response our bodies have to trauma, we overuse it. High levels of stress have been shown to increase heart disease, decrease memory, cause weight gain, and weaken immunity. It’s a serious threat. So why do we stress so much, and what can be done about it? If I had to pinpoint my stress, it would have to be rooted in my fear of the future. I want to be successful, content, and where I’m meant to be. As a result, when I study for a Biochemistry test, I think long term – “If I don’t make above an 80, my final grade will be this, and then my GPA will be that, and then I’ll end up on sweeping hair at Great Clips for the rest of my life.” Ridiculous, right? Not everyone thinks the exact same, but we all have a desire to perform well, and the world praises or condemns us based upon that. Jesus talks to His disciples about worrying and stress. And even from the age of horse-drawn carriages to the 500 hp BMW M6 era, Jesus’ teachings are absolutely just as applicable. He was, in fact, wholly God. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matthew 6:34). That means it is not our responsibility to worry. He also asks, “Who can add a single hour to his life by worrying? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26) Pretty straightforward –stressing only consumes our time and we don’t have the ability to prolong our timeline, so why be anxious about life? Jesus tells us not to set our hearts toward earthly things, because that will only lead to obsession and stress. Instead, if one truly seeks God, everything we need (not what we think we need) will be given to us (Luke 12:31). And that’s a promise. We may not get the three-story house or the talk-while-buying-tickets-for-the-opera phone, but who are we trying to impress anyway? That stuff will break or burn down tomorrow, and it’s out of our control.

Scary to think that nothing is in our control. Wait, maybe it’s not that scary. Maybe that’s the key. If we don’t dictate what happens in our brief life, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear? David wrote, “Cast your cares to the Lord and He will sustain you” and “I sought the Lord…He delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 55:22 and 34:4). So what if you don’t get accepted into medical school even though you tried your hardest; if you follow Jesus with all your heart and mind, He will provide and appoint. So what if your parents and peers are disappointed you didn’t get the big job; they can’t redeem your life and love you perfectly. Only Jesus can. We have complete free will, but God's will is always the best. Job (a man who knew a thing or two about stress) said, “I know that You can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). If you don’t like the idea of not being in supreme control, that’s normal; we want to write our own destiny (many have done so, with empty results). To really become what God desires of us, complete submission is necessary. Submission is counter-culture, but Jesus says explicitly that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first (Matthew 20:11).

So take a deep breath, relax, and realize that when you do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), He will provide. Work hard, study diligently, set goals; and do it all with eternity in mind. The peace that God provides exceeds all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

"...The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6)

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

The End.