Stress and Worry

I think this past few weeks have been stressful for each of us in different ways.   Dad and I of course are stressed about all the changes in each of your lives and we worry about the choices you will have to make and about dealing with circumstances that you have no control over.

I realize though that parents are not the only ones with stress.  Kids are under more stress today than ever before to succeed.  Partly because of the pressure we as parents put on you.  Please know, our desire for you to succeed is not meant to push you the point of worrying you haven’t accomplished enough to satisfy us.  Our worries over you guys are because we don’t want any of you to ever be disappointed with your life. 

Sometimes this can set up a bad cycle.  Worrying can lead to obsessing in one area of your life – cause you to focus on perfecting one thing in your life.  Our world is so complex and there are so many things we need to give attention to, it is easy to lose our true sense of direction.  In fact, we tend to praise people who worry and obsess of something that they go above and beyond in excelling. 

Is this how God wants us to live?

Well clearly the answer is no.  However, some use Bible verses on the subject as an excuse to never accomplish anything.  That is wrong too. 

I came across some very simple verses this morning that seemed to clear up the question, well exactly what are we supposed to do?

Proverbs 16: 3 – 7    “Put God in charge of your work then what you’ve planned will take place.  God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included – for judgment.  God can’t stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he’ll put those upstarts in their place. Guild is banished through love and truth; Fear-of-God deflects evil.  When God approves your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand…We plan the way we want to live, but only God make us able to live it.”

To easily sum up how to live in the state described in those verses – spend time alone with God.  Reading your Bible and praying will restore your sense of direction.  When you look to God for guidance, you will accomplish more in your life by doing less yourself.  God is in control, so quit trying to make things happen on your own, and if you do that you will find that your frustrations will turn into faith.