Stress Management God’s Way
Stress has an incredible harmful impact on health! According to some authors, ninety percent of disease originates from stress and anxiety.*
A sarcastic voice rang out above the din of the crowd, mocking what was being taught, to those gathered. She had been coming every day now for many days and her influence was starting to negatively impact public opinion.
It was a week filled with major life event stressors. A lesser man would have crumpled under the pressure. Before the day was over there would be an encounter with demons, a run in with the authorities, a life threatening physical beating, jail confinement in stocks, and a major natural disaster--an earthquake, which would demolish the building over their heads! Yet Paul was at peace, and it showed. (see Acts 16:16-34).
Every where they tried to talk to people about Jesus, and a spiritualist woman followed them calling out in a mocking sarcastic voice, "These men are servants of the Most High God! They announce to you how you can be saved!" How stressful! Have you ever have someone stalk you that you wish you could get off your trail?
As a devout Jew of high religious education, Paul had grown up in a strikingly gentile town: Tarsus. He stood for what he believed and put his whole heart, soul, mind and strength into what ever he did. Paul had every reason to be stressed; he was a very driven man—a bit of an overachiever. I do not know why, but his mother had given him the name of the first king of Israel, “Saul”.
After a few days this woman got on Paul’s nerves. Looking right at her he said, “I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And a demon came out of her.
This angered her managers. Have you ever gotten in the way of someone’s money making? They had commercialized her channeling and fortune-telling. This meddling in their merchandizing infuriated them and they physically dragged Paul to the council. As a result Paul and Silas took a severe beating from the government, and found themselves bound in cruel stocks in a filthy jail. How unfair! This was not supposed to happen to Roman citizens.
Praise the Lord! Their voices broke the grumbling of the inmates with sweet melody. The jailer was impressed.
How could they sing? It had been a bad week. The woman had troubled them. The magistrates had beaten them. They were in a dirty jail.
That night disaster hit. The ground trembled in a major earthquake. The jail was demolished. The jailer was now the one feeling ultimate stress. What would he do if the government charged him with irresponsibility and loss of prisoners? They would humiliate him and execute him.
Paul’s life was the life that was truly in jeopardy more than the jailer’s! How did he cope so well? What advice does he have for us?
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:7-13.
The stress was too great and the jailer proceeded to attempt a violent suicide. Rather than lose face and be tortured to death, the jailer decides to take his own life, before the government could prosecute him. About to run himself through with his own sword, Paul called out to him, “Don’t kill yourself, we are all here.”
I marvel at the next part of the story.
“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (sozo: saved or healed)” Acts 16:29-30.
Who are the Christians in this story and what is their state of mind amidst all their trials? Who is the pagan here in this story and what is his state of mind? Are we pagans, or are we Christians in our response to stress? What did the jailer realize Paul and Silas had, that he lacked and greatly wanted? What was he asking to be saved or healed from? Freedom from sin’s stress, worry; freedom from the fear of death!
Have you ever been afraid of death?
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15.
What was Paul’s solution? Antidepressants? Months of psychoanalysis? Anxiolytic Medication? A diagnosis of fibromyalgia, MS or Crohn’s and frequent doctor visits? Breathing exercises? Transcendental meditation? Cognitive behavioral therapy?
“And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” Acts 16:32-34.
Is the jailer rejoicing now too? Yes! What did Paul teach them?
“I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31b.
Why did this work for Paul in coping with stress?
“Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.’ Isa. 26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory--character--of Christ will be received into the Paradise of God. A renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy.” {The Desire of Ages p.331}
How does Jesus teach us to deal with stress and rejection?
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23.
How did Jesus deal with personal stress and rejection?
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:21-23.
Jesus knew that every thing that happened was under God’s supervision.
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. John 19:11 KJV.
“The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lord's permission, and ‘all things’ that are permitted ‘work together for good to them that love God.’ Romans 8:28.” {Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p.71}
Why didn’t Paul have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after all this trauma?
Have you heard of “Little-Faith” in Pilgrims Progress? He is robbed by three thugs in the allegory. And though he escapes with this life and his religious experience, he spends the rest of this days bemoaning his losses and informing everyone of the past tragedy in his life. We have to ask ourselves, are we of little faith?
So how did Paul escape PSTD?
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Philippians 3:13-15.
The work of Christ before him, Paul laid to rest the things behind him.
Is there any more advice from Paul on how to practice this, “forgetting those things which are behind”?
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,” Hebrews 6:1.
What about Jesus, what does He advise about the past?
“And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59-62.
The gospel plow, service to others, is a key to stress management. Isaiah helps with this concept.
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 55:7-8.
Can I really “forsake” my unrighteous thoughts?
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV.
Do I have a guide to instruct me in the best thoughts to entertain in my mind as a weapon against PSTD?
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:7-9 KJV.
Jesus told the paralytic man of Bethesda to sin no more lest a worse thing come upon him. How does a paralyzed man sin? I believe his thoughts needed guarding.
How can you keep from looking back when you’ve committed yourself to the gospel plow? Paul has the answer:
“Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.” 1 Corinthians 9:10.
“The gospel is a wonderful simplifier of life's problems. It's instruction heeded, would make plain many a perplexity and save us from many an error. It teaches us to estimate things at their true value and to give the most effort to the things of greatest worth--the things that will endure.” {The Ministry of Healing p. 363}
Does the apostle Peter address this issue?
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19.
Believe it or not, this remedy has almost univeral impact!
“The pleasure of doing good to others imparts a glow to the feelings which flashes through the nerves, quickens the circulation of the blood, and induces mental and physical health.” {Testimonies for the Church, Volume 4, p. 56.2}
Just like Jesus:
“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:23.
We must commit our ways unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.
Our biggest source of stress comes from our unmet expectations and our worry about what others think.
“There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world's standard. They have chosen its service, accepted its perplexities, adopted its customs. Thus their character is marred, and their life made a weariness. In order to gratify ambition and worldly desires, they wound the conscience, and bring upon themselves an additional burden of remorse. The continual worry is wearing out the life forces. Our Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke of bondage. He invites them to accept His yoke; He says, ‘My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.’ He bids them seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and His promise is that all things needful to them for this life shall be added. Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.” {The Desire of Ages p. 330}
Paul could be content in Jesus, and this gave him peace.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:11-13 KJV.
Paul advises the same for us:
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5 KJV.
Covetousness will destroy your peace.
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:5-12 KJV.
Are your wages the problem? John the Baptist taught contentment of one's income.
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. Luke 3:14 KJV.
Paul had learned the blessing of persecution, distress, infirmities, and reproaches:
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities (sickness), in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 KJV.
What are we invited to do with all our stress?
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-25.
Do you want to live in the perfect peace of Jesus? Will you commit all to him, take up you cross and put the stress behind you, casting it all at Jesus feet?
*“Sickness of the mind prevails everywhere. Nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation here.” (Mind Character and Personality, Volume 1, p. 59)
