In my lifetime of 72 years, I’ve seen the pace of life increase dramatically. Traffic congestion has almost ruined southern California. The cost of housing has skyrocketed, usually requiring two income families to make it. COVID and our partisan political divide add stress. Commercials and keeping up with others increase our obsession with having newer and better stuff. So how do we respond? We worry. We stress. The pressure overwhelms us. And that worry often pushes God out of the picture—it’s up to us to deal with all this.
But, this didn’t just begin recently, let’s go back around 2,000 years, “So do not worry, saying,’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Jesus, in Matthew 5:31-32).
So how do we slow our spirits? How do we open our lives for Jesus to show up? Jesus told us in that passage, “…your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 5:32-34).
Or, we trust in God. We put him first, even above the valid needs of living. That allows us to avoid worry, the stress of being responsible. Of course we do all we can, but this reliance on him allows us to slow down in the midst of a bustling society. Now, two steps to build peace into our lives, from two verses.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).
First, weed out worry and friction and stress. Identify them when they arrive, and replace them with the second step, give it to God. Intentionally. In effect, we replace the negative thoughts that stress us with a positive decision to put it in God’s hands. THEN peace arrives. And while living in peace, relying on God, we’re more open to Jesus showing up.
Ironically, this creates a nice circle! We do this once, it works, and our stress level decreases. We see the effect, and we weed out the worries more quickly and rely more on God. Then it becomes a habit that brings peace.
Adventing Part Three
Think of some times you responded to stress with worry. What spiritual benefit did worrying alone bring? Think of some times when you chose prayer and peace. What spiritual benefit did you experience? What one or two acts can you do to increase your before Christmas?
May you all have a blessed Christmas, and may Jesus show up clearly to you!