Four Ways to Live Stress-Free

In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus tells his disciples that his followers will face hardships, but God will reward them for their faith: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

As Christians, taking up our crosses means living in God’s image even when it becomes difficult. But the high expectations we set for ourselves and our duties to our families and communities can cause stress. Think about the patience it takes when your kids ask you to play at the end of a long day or when you turn the other cheek to your coworker (you know which one).

When we’re stressed, our bodies produce a mental and physical response to hardships that include headaches and poor sleep. This response can tempt us to put down our crosses, but the Bible gives us several ways to live stress-free. When Christians follow these ways, they open their hearts to God’s love and feel strengthened by His presence.

1.   Give (and Receive) Joy

We often feel stressed over the thought that “there’s just not enough time in the day.” In just 24 hours, how can we find time to drop our children off at school, work a full day, take them to basketball practice, finish our household chores, and have a meaningful social life?

Because of the obligations Christians have to one another, the busyness will never go away. But Philippians 4:6-7 shares the importance of feeling stress-free: “[d]o not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

One way to live stress-free despite our busy schedules is feeling joy–that is, the spontaneous moments of happiness where we enjoy the present rather than worry about the future. We can give joy by surprising people with random acts of kindness and serving our communities. We can also spark joy in ourselves by blocking out time to be alone with God (including using a Bible journal) and blocking out time to have fun with our families.

When we give (and receive) joy, we remind ourselves of Christianity’s redeeming message: no matter what hardships we face, God’s unconditional love gives us permission to be happy.

2.   Maintain Your Physical Health

Stress can lead to habits that make us even more stressed. For example, poor sleep creates a vicious cycle. We seek sugary foods and feel too tired to exercise, which leads to poorer sleep, more sugary foods, and even worse stress. But when you maintain your physical health through diet and exercise, you can break that cycle to live stress-free.

Sometimes, our generosity as Christians causes us to put our physical health last. Parents can certainly think of all the times they packed a delicious and nutritious meal for their children’s lunches but went to the vending machine for their own. Remember that the Bible asks us to care for others as if they were extended family, but it also asks that we care for ourselves. “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church” (Ephesians 5:29).

God wants you to maintain your physical health because you are also made in His image. Think of diet and exercise as a non-negotiable and a way to gain the energy and patience to do God’s work.

3.   Make Lifestyle Changes

Christians spend a lot of time thinking about their values. If we’re feeling more stressed than usual, it might be time to reconsider our values.

Matthew 6:33 tells us to value God above all else: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Stress can arise when we feel that we don’t have time for the things that matter most. In other words, stress can arise when we put other things before God.

For example, does your workplace prevent you from worshipping by asking you to work on Sundays? Does it not give you time for special events, such as celebrating your child’s birthday? Consider finding a workplace with a supervisor who allows you to observe your faith and fulfill family obligations.

Valuing God above all else helps us live in a meaningful way because we say “no” to false idols (including money and friends who encourage bad habits). Putting God first also helps us live stress-free.

4.   Have Faith in God’s Plan

In Jeremiah 29:11, God says that He knows His plans for us. To have faith in God’s plan is to live stress-free because we know that He tests us but will never abandon us.

Stress is similar to anxiety in that it’s often a response to something in the future, whether it’s preparing for a final exam for a college class or hosting our family for Christmas. In these examples, stress has less to do with our preparation and more to do with our fear of a bad grade or serving a late dinner.

When we have faith in God’s plan, we can concentrate on what we should do in the present, such as studying, getting enough sleep, or asking our family to bring food potluck-style to relieve our workload. Trusting God helps us carry our cross while focusing on the present and living stress-free.

A popular poem among Christians is “Footprints in the Sand.” The author received inspiration from Bible verses, including several verses in Psalms. “Footprints in the Sand” tells us that walking in God’s footsteps is difficult, but he carries us in moments of hardship.

This poem is another way of saying that, when our crosses become too heavy, God helps us carry them. (Sometimes, he even carries us.) With God’s help, we live stress-free by finding joy in the present moment, never compromising our physical health, creating a lifestyle that prioritizes God, and trusting His plan.

Walking in God’s footsteps isn’t always easy, but happiness and meaning depend on living by our faith. Only then can we truly feel stress-free.