When He called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Mark 8:34-37)This doesn't say anything about following after man or man's ways. It says; Follow Me (Jesus).
Jesus came to give us a life of wholeness and fullness. He never run around in a panic. He was able to live at peace. He is our example, so how do we handle stress?
1. Identification: Know who you are. Children of God, His creation.
Jesus knew who He was. He spoke to the people and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness because you will have the light that leads to life" (John 8:12).
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).
Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall never hunger again (John 6:35).
Don't let others tell you who you are!
2. Motivation: Know who your living for. Most people like "stuff." Are you living for self, others, or God?
I of Myself can do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me (John 5:30).
And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him (John 8:29).
We can't be all things to all people. We all have expectations of who or what we are suppose to be. No one can pressure us without our permission. We don't have to live according to pressures and expectations of others.
There are amazing things God wants us to do. He is shaping us to do them.
He has given each of us SHAPE:
S-spiritual gifts
H-heart
A-abilities to perform
P-personalities
E-experiences
We all live for someone or something. Live for the right One.
3. Vocation: Know your calling. We are all called out to live different roles (we can't do it all). We are all unique and special.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love...(Ephesians 4:1).
What is contributing to your calling? Do that. Use the gifts He has given you. Your personality and your experiences.
4. Concentration: Focus on what matters most. If satan can't get you to be bad, he will keep you busy, blurry, and distracted.
Jesus was focused, knew what He was called to do and did it confidently.
Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem...(Luke 9:51).
3. Vocation: Know your calling. We are all called out to live different roles (we can't do it all). We are all unique and special.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love...(Ephesians 4:1).
What is contributing to your calling? Do that. Use the gifts He has given you. Your personality and your experiences.
4. Concentration: Focus on what matters most. If satan can't get you to be bad, he will keep you busy, blurry, and distracted.
Jesus was focused, knew what He was called to do and did it confidently.
Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem...(Luke 9:51).
What we consider important usually doesn't matter for eternal purposes.
5. Meditation: Listen to God. Take the time to be alone with Father God, communicate (talk to) and listen. Give Him quality time.
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there he prayed (Mark 1:35).
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed (Luke 5:16).
Ask Him if He has anything to say to you, then LISTEN to Him. Don't let worldly things distract you.
6. Collaboration: Join a small group. Life is made for us to be together. We serve a relational God. Jesus modeled it.
Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15).
Believing you don't need anyone and thinking you can do it alone is selfish human pride.
7. Recreation: Take time to recharge, to rest your body.
And Jesus said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31).
He makes me lie dow in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul...(Psalm 23: 2-3).
We need to make time to rest and relax. If we don't, God will make us one way or another.
8. Salvation: Give your life to Jesus Christ.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
What drives your life? What causes you to do what you do? Are you driven by pressures of this world or by purpose, God's purpose? Do you realize your spiritual potential that lies within you?
Don't let the voices of this world drown out the "still small voice" of Jesus.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting ALL your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Jesus doesn't want us living a life of pressure and stress. Find rest for your soul. Accept what He has done for you on the Cross.
