Bible Teaching About Stress

Remember last month’s article on stress? No? Ok, let me review. I said stress is the process by which we perceive and respond to events that we interpret as threatening to our well being.

Stress also does very ugly things to our minds, bodies, and relationships. Consequently, this month I look at solutions. Paul described his stress as, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (1 Corinthians 4:8, 9).

Wow! That sounds like life in America! Maybe the Philippines too! The good news is that Paul later told us one way he managed the stress that dogged him.

Good news

He wrote, “Therefore we do not lose heart…yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (1 Corinthians 4:16-18).

He is talking about perspective, or how we view the things of life. He admits that this life is not one of continual savoring halo halo, but it can be like constantly enduring the smothering smell of peeled durian. Yuk!

Temporary setbacks

Paul said the hard thumps of this life are only temporary. You can look at this in two ways. First, the frustrating situation you face today will change. Some problems will be solved. Some you cannot do anything about. Some are powerful learning experiences. But, life will go on, and you will grow stronger as you learn to successfully deal with problems. Learn from your mistakes, and boldly move on with life.

Future reward

Second, Paul said that there is a future life. For the Christian, there is great reward based on faithfulness in this life. That future existence is eternal, which speaks of momentous quality, and it extends forever. The key is becoming a Christian. Drop over to our website. Esmie and I will be glad to answer your questions on this awesome opportunity.

The future good, Paul teaches, far outweighs the present irritations that plague us in this life. The things Paul suffered in the cause of Christ were mounting high mounds of reward for him in heaven. 

The lesson, then, is to hook your ultimate hope on your eternal reward while not neglecting the matters of this life. After all, you have to help your family, and pay your bills.