Who Is in Charge?

Welcome to the club! The nail-biting, hair-pulling, skin-scratching society of those who are weak in the faith. We know how it feels to be too stressed to be blessed. We have experienced the look from others that silently demands, What is your problem, Christian? I have come to the conclusion that one of the chief weapons in Satan’s arsenal is stress generated by fear. It is difficult to trust God when I am stressed and filled with fear.

Summarizing various dictionary definitions of stress teaches us that stress is a force that strains or deforms; a mental or physical tension caused by a sense of dire urgency. I shudder when I recall the times I have been stressed to the max.

Some examples include learning of a family member’s accident or illness, expecting an important item in the mail that did not arrive, more people turning up for dinner than I had been prepared for, or failing to meet a financial obligation on time.

I finally learned over the years that being stressed does not hasten the item’s arrival or cause my family to get in touch. It does not bring peace and calm, and it never reduces anger or fear. So why have I worried instead of trusting God? In God’s Word, Christ instructs us not to worry about what we shall eat, drink, or wear (Matthew 6:25–34).

And He tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (verse 33, NKJV). In other words, God is in charge.

We can trust Him. In Luke 10:41, Jesus reminds Martha that she is “worried and troubled [stressed] about many things” (NKJV). In other words, she should, rather, relax and spend more time with Jesus like her sister, Mary. Stress and worry will never change a situation. Only waiting on the Lord and trusting Him with all our hearts can do that.

So, stop the nail biting! Choose not to worry or be anxious about anything! Cast all your cares on Him (see 1 Peter 5:7)! Lord God, fill us with Your holy presence.

For it is only as You direct us that we can ever learn to trust more and stress less. Thank You for being in charge. Amen.

Helen O. Byoune