Dealing with Stress like Jesus

Katie and I living in the moment!

 

“So what do you have going on, Brenda?” my young hair stylist asked me during my recent visit.

I rattled my usual, “School, interviews for my new book, stuff with the kids. . .”

“It will all get done,” she assured me.

“I know. It’s just. . .” I paused and she finished my sentence.

“It’s just if you’ll stress or not.” How wise and she’s so young!

She is right. I will finish this semester well. I will be prepared for my interviews and speaking engagements. I will be there when my girls need me. It will all happen, but the choice of how I make it happen is mine. I can stress and huff and puff and make those around me miserable. Or I can trust God. I can do the task at hand and not worry about all the rest I have yet to do.

Jesus was the most productive man to live on earth. He, more than anyone, had good reason to be stressed. But He didn’t. Instead He lived each day with purpose and joy. He lived in each moment. Can you imagine talking to Jesus and seeing His eyes looking into yours and knowing He hears you and understands you? That’s living totally in the moment. He didn’t check the time on His phone or mentally run through His schedule while healing someone. He was totally there. Then He moved on to the next thing His Father gave Him to do.

Why can’t we live like that? I know. We’re only human. We’re not God. But Jesus lived on earth in part to show us how to live. His example of how to live a busy (not stuffed), productive, yet stress-free, life is shown to us in the gospels.

Jesus. . .

 

  • Trusted God.
  • Listened to God’s direction.
  • Lived in the moment.
  • Made the most of His time—relaxed when it was time to relax; worked when it was time to work.
  • Did the next thing.

We can live busy (not stuffed), stress-free, productive lives as Jesus did. We must start by trusting God. If we’re stressing, we’re not trusting God. Do you trust God? That’s where it’s at. If you trusted God to seal you for eternity through the sacrifice of His Son, why don’t your trust Him with your to-do list? “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

Trusting God allows us to live in the moment and live the life God has for us.

 

 

 

 

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.

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