The Weight of Stress

Do you often feel the weight of stress? Do you feel its pressure bearing down on you? Does the tension of it often result in chronic physical symptoms like muscle tightness and pain, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and/or digestion problems? Want relief? God has a solution!

“As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commandments.” (Psalm 119:143)

Why do the Lord’s commandments bring joy, especially as pressure and stress bear down?

  • Obedience brings joy because it connects us with God’s love (John 15:10-11). Obedience allows us to “abide in” the love of Jesus. This just means it allows us to live in his love, which means we have the security his love provides. There really is nothing more secure than the love of Christ.
  • God’s word makes a person “wise for salvation” and capable of living a life that honors him (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible contains every instruction we need to guide us toward living a life of obedience.
  • Depending on self results in frustration (1 Corinthians 1:19). Any focus but God results in frustration. His wisdom goes far beyond our own, and the wisest choice we can make is dependence on and obedience to him.
  • As Christians, we have been given all we need to live a Godly life (2 Peter 1:3). We have God’s power working in our lives, the same power that overcame death. We simply cannot be defeated!

Obedience Leads to Freedom

Obedience as God desires does not lead to a constrained life but instead to a life of freedom. With this freedom comes relief from a weighty life. Yet, most of us struggle to fully buy in to obedience. In fact, it’s usually a lifelong struggle.

For me, realizing that obedience brings relief from physical tension came through the activity of obedience. It didn’t come from believing it could happen first but from deciding to be obedient out of love for Jesus and then experiencing relieved tension as a result.

Start by reading God’s word and learning what he desires of you. Then, line your life up with what he says. Over time, you will find relief from tension. This is a declaration I can make because it is a declaration God makes.

“The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.” (Psalm 19:8)