The bushes and trees were under stress because of the heavy wet snow, but they were at peace in the midst of their weight of stress. It’s almost as if the branches knew that if they could just hang on long enough that the snow would melt and they’d be able to bend and wave freely in the breeze again. It’s good to remember this example when stress threatens our peace. If we just hold on a little longer, the stress will dissipate and we can move on once again. I’m telling myself that right now as I deal with a particular relationship issue.
“Those who love Your Law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.”
Psalm 119:165, NASB
Does stress cause you to stumble? It sure does me at times! But I notice something about those times of stumbling. That is when I take my eyes off Jesus and pay more attention to the stressful situation than I do to Him and the answers He has for me. I stumble because I try to resolve it in my own strength. Why? Because I don’t want to have stress, strain, nor trouble, nor people thinking or feeling ill thoughts towards me. I’m so busy trying to resolve the issue myself that I fail to learn the things God is trying to teach me in the midst of the stress and so I stumble. That doesn’t mean the underlying peace isn’t there. Peace is still present, but not as active and prominent as it is during the good times.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me,
all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28, NLT
Peace in stress seems like an oxymoron, but inward peace during an outward stressor is huge. If there was no heavy burden to carry, there would be no need for relief from it, no need for rest, and no need for peace in stress. Sometimes it takes a heavy burden—whether physical or emotional—to get us to realize that we need to reach out for Jesus to relieve us of the burdens and give us rest and peace.
Two days ago it was the most gorgeous, sunny, bright, breezy day that we’ve had in a long time. I enjoyed being out in the fresh air, driving with all the windows and sunroof open, and walking with the sun and breeze in my face. But as I write this, we are experiencing a couple days of horrendous air quality like I’ve never experienced and it has forced me to stay indoors. Evidently we are experiencing the effects of wildfires in Canada, thousands of miles away through the weather pattern, and the air is thick, hazy, and smells like smoke. It reminds me of the eerie sky when a storm is approaching. It really makes me appreciate all the more the gorgeous day that I enjoyed two days ago. The peace knowing that God is in control is what gets me through these days.
What are some things that could help you get through times of peace in stress?
- When I was working and stressful situations came up or people annoyed me, my peace in stress was a combination of knowing I would soon be able to go home and away from it, and knowing that it was only temporary.
- Deep breaths (not sighs that actually fuel stress) can help stabilize our focus and calm our spirit and body.
- A leisurely walk, especially by a stream or body of water, refreshes me.
- Prayer is a necessity particularly in time of stress. It keeps us focused on God and what He wants to accomplish through the stressful situation. I’m sure there hasn’t been one stressful situation that God hasn’t wanted to use to teach me something, and I also know that I haven’t always learned the first time so He allows stress to return in one way or another.
- Talking with a friend for another viewpoint helps to see if there was something I did or said that contributed to the stress, and if there was something that could have been handled differently.
- Reading and memorizing God’s Word so that it is available for ready recall in the heat of the moment when it is most needed. It may not be a verse ready to spout off to someone, but more of a verse echoing in your thoughts to keep you from spouting off. Psalm 141:3 (KJV) is often a prayer of mine, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
Whatever works for you to de-stress and maintain peace in your life is what you need to keep in mind when stress rears its ugly head. Maybe picturing yourself in a peaceful setting could help, too, like floating on a raft in a pool, relaxing on a hammock in the breeze of tall shade trees, or sitting by a waterfalls. They say that certain things can ground you such as petting your cat (works for me!), a favorite hobby, or a friend. Whatever it takes for you, do it! God can use it all to maintain peace in stress in your life.