Finding Peace In Christ: Rejecting Worldly Ways To Handle Stree

 

*_Finding Peace in Christ: Rejecting Worldly Ways to Handle Stress_*

Life is not always smooth; in fact, it can be very hard. Stress is a reality that we all face at different points in our lives. However, as Christians, we are in a better position than the world because we have God with us. While the world struggles to find lasting solutions to stress, we have the assurance that God is our refuge and strength.

Psalm 46:1 reminds us, *"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."* This truth sets Christians apart from the world. We don't have to rely on temporary or harmful methods to cope with stress because God is with us, ready to help and sustain us.

Unfortunately, some Christians turn to worldly means to cope with stress, such as alcohol, smoking, and vaping. These methods are not only harmful but also reveal a disconnect from God and a misunderstanding of who we are in Christ. When we resort to these methods, we are essentially saying that God is not enough to handle our problems, which couldn't be further from the truth.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 challenges us to remember our identity in Christ: *"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.** Knowing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit should compel us to reject anything that defiles or harms us, especially in the name of coping with stress.

Furthermore, 1 Thessalonians 5:22 warns us to *"abstain from every form of evil."* This includes not just obvious sins, but also the subtle, harmful habits that can lead us down a path of destruction. When we take that first step towards wrong things in an attempt to deal with stress, it often leads to a downhill cycle of corruption and even immorality.

Instead of turning to these worldly means, we should turn to God and His Word for comfort and guidance. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us, *"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."* Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God’s peace, a peace that transcends any stress or anxiety we may face.

Life will bring stress, but as Christians, we have a divine resource in God to help us cope. Turning to worldly means like alcohol, smoking, or vaping is not only harmful but reveals a deeper issue of not fully knowing God or our identity in Christ. We are called to abstain from every form of evil and to seek God in times of stress. By relying on Him, we can find true peace and avoid the destructive paths that the world offers.