Managing Stress
When I am under stress it is not uncommon for me to wake up during the night worrying about the situation. My body will still be sleeping but my mind is in overdrive. Everything I didn't do or need to do will come to mind and sleep will avoid me like the plague. But there is a better way to handle stress.
The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.
Acts 12:6-7 NLT
Peter was arrested and put in prison. He was guarded by four squads of four soldiers at all times and two of the soldiers were chained to him. What is most amazing to me in this story is what Peter was doing when the angel came. He was asleep! Not just dozing, not tossing and turning - he was sound asleep. In fact he was sleeping so deeply that the angel had to hit him to wake him up. Imagine that!!
How could Peter possibly sleep at a time like that? Easy - he trusted God.
This is a lesson of life that I need lots of reminders about. When I ask God to help me with something, I have to get out of His way so He can take care of it. As long as I am trying to work on it myself God will stand back and watch. The sooner I get out of His way the better He can bring His great plan to life.
It's hard to wait on God when it feels like the floor fell out from underneath you. But God has not left your side. He will absolutely take care of the situation if you let Him. As long as we are trying to work it out ourselves, God will not interrupt us. Instead, He will wait for us to come to our senses and realize that He is the only one who can fix the situation.
This story of Peter's remarkable release by God is proof that not only can God save us but He wants to help us. God wants us to ask for and count on His help. No doubts, no need to worry - when we ask God to take care of a situation for us He will.
Peter's example is the perfect picture of trust. Peter and his friends prayed for his release and then they let God do His thing. That's what trusting God is all about. Ask for His help and then wait for Him to make things right. This way you can keep your peace while managing the stress in your life.
Let God be God. When things get stressful, ask for God's help and let Him handle it. Stay out of His way and enjoy the victory that Jesus promised you.
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.
Acts 12:6-7 NLT
Peter was arrested and put in prison. He was guarded by four squads of four soldiers at all times and two of the soldiers were chained to him. What is most amazing to me in this story is what Peter was doing when the angel came. He was asleep! Not just dozing, not tossing and turning - he was sound asleep. In fact he was sleeping so deeply that the angel had to hit him to wake him up. Imagine that!!
How could Peter possibly sleep at a time like that? Easy - he trusted God.
This is a lesson of life that I need lots of reminders about. When I ask God to help me with something, I have to get out of His way so He can take care of it. As long as I am trying to work on it myself God will stand back and watch. The sooner I get out of His way the better He can bring His great plan to life.
It's hard to wait on God when it feels like the floor fell out from underneath you. But God has not left your side. He will absolutely take care of the situation if you let Him. As long as we are trying to work it out ourselves, God will not interrupt us. Instead, He will wait for us to come to our senses and realize that He is the only one who can fix the situation.
This story of Peter's remarkable release by God is proof that not only can God save us but He wants to help us. God wants us to ask for and count on His help. No doubts, no need to worry - when we ask God to take care of a situation for us He will.
Peter's example is the perfect picture of trust. Peter and his friends prayed for his release and then they let God do His thing. That's what trusting God is all about. Ask for His help and then wait for Him to make things right. This way you can keep your peace while managing the stress in your life.
Let God be God. When things get stressful, ask for God's help and let Him handle it. Stay out of His way and enjoy the victory that Jesus promised you.
John 16:33 Amplified
Manage stress by relying on God to do what you cannot.
Heidirn
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