Stressed? Don’t Take a Care

//Charles Cowan

As I look out across the world today, the magnitude of stress is one of the most disturbing things I see. People are stressed out with all kinds of circumstances involving their children, their jobs and businesses, and their relationships. Many are dealing with just the nitty-gritty of living, and they are stressed out about it.

Unfortunately, this stress is not only prevalent in the world but in the Body of Christ. Sunday after Sunday, Christians come into churches across America—and around the world—and they sit in the pews with their lives laden with care.

The cares of life, if we allow them to, can cause full-blown stress, which can grow to be overwhelming and can devastate us emotionally, mentally, physically—and financially.

But what does God have to say about that? Should Christians be stressed? No! God wants us to have joy no matter what obstacles are in our lives. God wants us to have joy when the wind is blowing, when it’s raining, or when it’s thundering—and He wants us to have joy when the sun is shining.

Teamed Up With God
It is very important for us, as children of God, to see ourselves as winners when defeat seems to lie before us. We need to see ourselves teamed up with God, and we need to picture ourselves as overcomers.

John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Here Jesus says that despite our tribulation, or difficulties, we can have peace.

Sometimes people only read the part of this verse that says, “In the world you shall have tribulation.” They think, Yes, dear Lord, that is true. But that wasn’t all Jesus said. Before He spoke of tribulation, He assured us that, in Him, we can have peace.

Let’s look at something else in that verse: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus told us to be of good cheer. We can’t be of good cheer unless we have the right picture. Going into a fiery trial, we must see our victory!

When Daniel went to his house, opened his window, looked toward Jerusalem, and prayed to his God, he saw his God bigger than his tribulation. The lions were not even a consideration to him.

The fiery furnace was heated seven times hotter than normal for the three Hebrew boys, and even the men who threw them in perished; yet the furnace was no consideration to them. The Hebrew children had a party in the middle of the fiery furnace, and Jesus showed up for the celebration (Dan. 3:24–25)!

As with Daniel and the three Hebrew children, Jesus is bigger than any of our trials. We will have tribulation—which can be anything that troubles, distresses, worries, disturbs, agitates, or causes us to take the care of it—but Jesus said He has overcome it all, and He is in us (Gal. 2:20)!

Rejoice and Be Glad
Life presents many obstacles that may seem insurmountable, but God wants us to have joy in spite of them. He does not want any of His people burdened with care, so He commands us in His Word to cast our care over on Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

What do you see concerning the cares you are dealing with today? Do you see God as bigger than your problems? If not, you need to make adjustments immediately. Turn your hear t to the Lord and listen for Him to direct you. Expect the power of God to be with you no matter what your circumstance, situation, or dif ficulty.

Expect God’s power in your words and actions to cause every situation of your life to bow its knee to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

It doesn’t matter what has happened. This is the day the Lord has made, and He wants you to rejoice and be glad in it (Ps. 118:24)!

[Editor’s Note: Charles Cowan is pastor of Faith Is The Victory Church in Nashville, Tennessee. This article was adapted from his book How to Deal With the Cares of Life.]