by Joanne Wiklund
National Stress Day is behind us. It was Friday and I nearly missed it. When I saw the announcement from a nonprofit who sends me stuff, I couldn’t help thinking I am aware of what stress can do to a person. I’m also aware that according to their release to us all, We’re living in stressful times.
They recommended meditation, mindfulness, diaphragmatic breathing, scheduling fun playtime activities and mental health counseling. My favorite of all of those is prayer. Oh, they didn’t mention prayer? All those things are helpful to some people, but I think the omission of a mention of any kind of religious practice to relieve stress is a red flag. Whenever a national organization omits one of the most useful ways to avoid or relieve stress, it only points out how worried they are about offending people who don’t pray, or understand the usefulness of it.
A person who believes in God and knows how to meet Him in stressful times also understands how He and the Holy Spirit are with us through terrible as well as good times. I remember a book from the 70s called: ARE YOU RUNNING WITH ME, JESUS? The author was a clergyman in a large city who took time for everyone who needed him. We know that Jesus loves us and is with us wherever we are, but He wants us to also give regular quiet time to Him and Him alone.
Peace is with us when we seek it, and where we seek it is important.
John 14: 1-3 Let not your heart be troubled,
ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a
place for you. And i f I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again, and receive you unto myself that where I am, there ye may be
also.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.
Awesome!
I have had a lot of stress in my life and I agree with you Joanne. Praying was what helped me through it. There are so many people in the world that don’t know God and don’t know what he can do for them. If they could only learn what a great tool they could have with God in their life.
Thank you!