How to deal with stress
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5
If you grew up in a Christian home like I did you’ve probably heard the above verse over and over and OVER again. It’s easy to tune out on verses that you’ve been spoon fed your whole life but usually there’s a reason that they are so well used and loved. It’s because they teach something that is so simple, so important, and yet so very, very hard to put into action and really live!
Right now my life is a crazy whirlwind of preparation for a long period of separation from my husband due to his job. Since we’re dealing with the military/government for all of this plans keep changing on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis and it was really starting to stress me out and make me go absolutely batty! I’m the kind of person who loves for everything to be planned out, organized, and scheduled way in advance so I have plenty of time to mentally prepare myself for it. I think God had me marry my dear hubby just so that I would let go of this and realize that I’m really not in control of anything!
While I was stressing about the latest series of events this verse popped into my mind. God used it to convict me that the reason I was being so stressed out is that I was, again, trying to deal, cope, and plan all in my own understanding and strength. I took a deep breath, told God, “Ok then, as of this moment I’m entrusting this mess to YOU and it is now officially your problem and I’m not going to worry about it anymore.”
The peace that I’ve had is wonderful! Everything is still a mess and I still probably won’t know until the last minute who I’ll be traveling cross country with, and we still might end up forking out obscene amounts of money on a canceled flight or a last minute plane ticket. But I know that it’s not my problem and I really have no control over it. God will make sure me and the kids go where we need to go, when we need to go, and He will provide the funds necessary for us to get there–what a burden off my shoulders!
An important thing to realize is that this is not a one-time thing. It’s a daily, hourly entrusting and prayer when the stress starts to arise. I’ve had many, many similar situations since we got married and each time I’ve struggled and then entrusted. I was talking to my mother-in-law and I told her that you would think I would have learned by now and this would come automatically, but trust me it doesn’t!
Told my challenge to you is to talk whatever is currently stressing you out, realize that you’re standing in your own strength and understanding, and turn it all over to God!
Copyright © Nicole Elliott, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
This week my 3yo toddler has been very sick
In hospital with struggles that cause her heart rate to plummet and her to stop breathing in her sleep- the Drs can’t get accurately say this is why it is happening or this is how we are going to fix it. I have waves of fear and “what if” and try to reason to get sone control in the situation, I figure if I can understand then I am back in control but I am in actual fact, so completely powerless and out of control and I always have been. I am utterly and desperately dependent on Gods mercy, grave & healing.
Oh Carolyn I’m so sorry! Having babies in the hospital is the worst, most scary thing! (my now 3 year old was hospitalized last fall) I will be praying for her and for God’s peace for you!