Overcoming Stress (8)

If the load you’re carrying is too heavy for you to bear, Jesus didn’t give it to you. Others may have, or you may have taken it upon yourself, but Jesus had no part in it. “If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light” (vv. 28-30 CEV). The final stress management principle Jesus taught us is this: (8) Give your stress to Him. You’ll never enjoy complete peace of mind until you develop a relationship with the Prince of peace. Note, Jesus didn’t say, “Come to Me and I’ll give you more guilt, more burdens, more stress, and more worries,” even though that’s what a lot of religious people seem to teach! Some churches create pressure instead of relieving it. But Jesus said, “I want to give you rest. I’m the stress reliever. When you get in harmony with Me, I’ll give you inner strength.” Only Jesus can transform your lifestyle from stressful to satisfied. The greatest source of stress comes from trying to live our lives apart from the God who made us, trying to go our own way and be our own god. What do you need? If you’ve never committed your life to Christ, you need a transformation. Give Him your life with all its stresses and say, “Lord, please give me a new life. Replace the pressure I feel with the peace You offer. Help me to follow Your principles of stress management.”