How to handle Stress

Just a quick thought here about handling stress. God does not call us to be passive, but active in His kingdom. We are on the front lines, operating within the kingdom of this world. And by that activity, we are advancing the Kingdom of God so that the gates of Hell cannot stand against it: Matthew 16:18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." It means we are to go on the offensive, not defensive.

So, that said, when the pressures of the world press in, we are to meet them with the word of God, not cringe in a corner passively asking God to save us. He's already done that. We have been granted inheritance in the Kingdom of light according to Colossians 1:12 " giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

The Bible is replete with calls to action and we will overcome by the Word of God. In Isaiah 1:17 it says to "Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isaiah 26:3 also says that "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

Nahum 1:7 tells us that "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." With that encouragement we come to Philippians 4:4-9 which tells us how to ACTIVELY have peace:

"4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

I hope and pray that this will be an encouragement to you as it has to me. We CAN overcome the world because Jesus has overcome the world and it's systems of Machiavellian pragmatism. John 16:33 says "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Ours is an active faith. We walk by faith and not by sight; but, we do walk. Faith is not passive. Jesus is not passive. God's kingdom is not passive, but advancing. It is advancing in us as we advance in God's power. Luke 17:21 says "...For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”