STOP stressing out! major biblical keys on combating worry and stress

  ‘We gon be all right, do you hear me? Do you feel me? We gon be alright!’ 

It was very ironic that this was the song playing as I was talking to a friend about the number of different things we had to do and some of our fears and concerns. One thing that kept ringing through my head was if God has brought us this far, surely He is ABLE to see us through.

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.

It is now that time of year where mid-terms and EXAMS are on your case. In my case, I have my 9000-word dissertation to do and it’s very easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged. This led me to think of this point. Imagine the most challenging thing you have ever had to deal with. Now imagine life a month before that event happened. Even if you can look back and say “Oh, I knew it was gonna happen,” there was no way you could have truly known how things were going to play out, how the situation would make you feel, or what lessons you would learn. 

Uncertainty is such an unsettling feeling. As humans we have the tendency to always focus and wonder about 2 years from now, 5 years from now and so on and that can rob us of today’s joy and living in the present moment. Uncertainty is overwhelming when you allow it consume you, HOWEVER, because there is a God who holds tomorrow and takes care of us no matter what, we have no reason to worry about the unknown! So, STOP stressing out because you don’t know what next week, month, SEMESTER, or YEAR is going to look like…

It doesn't all have to be gloomy... His yoke is easy and his burden is light

Now the Bible is such an AMAZING book for it holds so many treasures and REAL-LIFE applications to many of the things that we go through and one person we can certainly learn from is Paul.

In his journey as a Christian, the Apostle Paul had no idea what he was going to face or what would become of him in the days to come. In fact, this man SUFFERED and went without the comforts of life that we are accustomed to as he was living out his purpose for Gods mission. One thing that helped him to keep going in life was to PRAY about EVERYTHING, not worry and to be CONTENT.  

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I CAN do EVERYTHING through Him who gives me STRENGHT” (Philippians 4:12-13). 

Paul LEARNED that it is far more valuable to focus on God and what He was called to do as opposed to stressing out over what might go wrong even if it meant going to prison. Don’t let yourself be afraid of the unknown.  You are where you are in this stage of life for a reason; it’s all part of the journey and you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t meant to be. When we worry, it can often make us complacent rather than dealing with issues at hand. This is because our emotions can cloud our view of what we have to do. Give yourself time to find out who God really is and how He has been faithful in the past to supply the needs of his people, AND GUESS WHAT? He STILL does the same today. When we get worried and fret to the point of discouragement and weariness it means we do NOT TRUST God. When you look to God for your answers, it will grow your confidence and trust for the future because you know God has it under control so then what should you fear?

God used Paul mightily and He was there for him continually and He wants to do the same for us today.  

We live in a sinful world with many hardships and various encounters which can often lead us worried and stressed. Some of those worries and causes of stress are issues such as:

 1. Not knowing how your school year is going to go.
2. Being uncertain about what to do about your job or different career opportunities

3. Not knowing what your current relationships will look a month from now
4. A situation with your health or your family that's completely out of your control
5. Feeling stuck about how you should approach a situation with a friend or someone your ‘talking’ to.

I would encourage you to give such matters to God and leave them with Him. Don’t pick them up and worry again and know that God will tell you what to do and life will plan out as it should. In order to do this, we must turn down the world's volume so we can be in tune with God.

God will continue to be with us for as long as we live. Keep your focus on finishing the course He has called you to. Don't give up on praying or reading His word because of what hasn't been sorted out yet. Don't stop worshipping and doing His work as you seek Him daily about the decisions or circumstances you're faced with.

You've made it this far and He is NOT going to LEAVE you now!
Love Rejoicexox

Devotional inspiration from* Philippians 4:4-13 and Acts 20:22-23

THIS IS JUST TOO LONG! Rebellion and life callings

At some point during one’s Christian walk, there gets a point when you ask yourself “What’s the point of it all? 

It's either you get overwhelmed or complacent or your walk feels stagnant.  It’s almost like you stop caring about your life because you think God is distant and doesn’t care about you either. Or if you know he cares and wants the best for you, you don't live it out. You start entertaining bad relationships, spend like crazy, some people drink or smoke, or do whatever else that fills their voids rather than seek God, because WHY does it matter anyway?

All this doing "right"— doesn’t seem to be really going anywhere and you have major FOMO (Fear of missing out).This becomes very dangerous because when you start to feel like this, you become blind to your own ignorance which can hinder you in walking the path God intends for you to. It’s almost like there is a glaze over your eyes and ears that we end up not being convicted or if we do it's only temporary before something goes and distracts us.

I think one of the reasons this tends to happen is that we get so focused on someone else’s walk. Or we get too comfortable in our own walk that we stop ceasing to put the work in. Everybody seems to be doing things and making movements towards their “purpose” or life goals. It’s like they have it all figured out and you’re like erm “hey God over here… give me something” or on the otherhand you find yourself overwhelmed with your Christian responsibilities that you start to slack.

As I’m going through my Christian walk, one thing that keeps coming up is that I should seek Christ no matter what I'm feeling or going through (matt 6:33) and pray without ceasing for God will finish the work he has started in me . It can be so easy to get caught up in what God has called us to do, that you may either start something you shouldn’t, or the route of envy begins. On the flip side of things, you may start not to care about your walk at all through your daily actions in life. Don’t ignore Jesus, don't ever stop seeking him or grow weary in doing good. He will make his way plain before your face when you seek him. God is not silent! I’m telling you first hand. God can either communicate to you through your gut instinct/consciousness, people or events, but you gotta be seeking. Write God a note, whisper a prayer... never stop in finding an opportunity to talk to God and pray that he gives you a love for him.

Jeremiah 29:12-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Now here I have some MAJOR KEYS which I try to abide by which help me when my walk gets a bit blah or i get overwhelmed with all the variours things i have to be keeping up with.

1. You gotta Repent and RENEW. Read ALL of 1 John. See your life as a tree and that you’re bearing fruit. The fruit of your tree should be rooted from Christ. You can give your life to God at a young age but track your life from then till now look how far you have come. I really recommend journaling your devotional thoughts, prayers and general chit chat to God. Yes, the fruit is in the pudding but fruit grows slowly, so don't be hard on yourself if you aren't growing in certain areas. God is great because he gives us grace HOWEVER you must be INTENTIONAL in GROWING up in HIM.

2.You gotta LISTEN to God. When you get convicted about an issue, purpose in your heart to work it out, there is nothing than having peace with Jesus, otherwise, the complaining will never stop. And if he tells you to do something, take the leap and do it ! you will wish you had started earlier. 

3.Check out your space. Who are you hanging out with as you get overwhelmed in your walk ? REMEMBER sin separates us from CHRIST. (Isaiah 59:2). Ask God for guidance in that area of friendships and as you do so, also encourage those around you as they might be feeling the same too.

4.Be content (it's hard yall). Even though you may not be where you want to be in life right now ...  you have God. Keep your eyes on him and he will open doors that no man can close. WHEN JESUS SAYS YES NOBODY CAN SAY NO. Sometimes life gets dreary bit God will bring you some amazing blessings in your life. There is a time for everything Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Please remember (this is also a note to self) that your life is much greater than your feelings job or your degree or your relationship. It's bigger than you appearing successful to some people, It’s bigger than you appearing to be the perfect Christian. It's bigger than what you think. God has created every single one of us and placed us in our mother’s womb for such a time as this, meaning you have a purpose!

The Christian walk is not an easy one, and sometimes it seems like you're not on the right path.But don't get discouraged just know that.If God woke you up this morning, God is going to use TODAY to prepare you for those things HE called you to do. WE will never arrive there is something to always work on. So, don't get caught up in this silly world & it’s ideas, or that you're not good enough. Don't place yourself around people and situations that bring you down.

Love,

Rejoicexox