Daily Devotional – 2/15/12 “A little stress is sometimes necessary!”

I know that this title sounds crazy but let me explain. If your life was always easy what would you work hard for? If you woke up without needing anything, would you try hard to get more? See, sometimes having a little stress gives you a lot of reasons to relax. Stress makes you better because it makes you stronger and in your strength you are more determined to do and be better at whatever you strive for. When you have stress, you’ll thank God for being able to make a meal out of the few things you have in the refrigerator because you don’t want your family hungry. When you have stress about making it home with no gas and no money, you’ll thank God for letting you make it because you get paid the next day. When you have stress over your car not starting or not having a way here and there, it’ll make you appreciate the car you eventually get. Sometimes a little stress comes at the right time to let you know that all you have can be gone if you don’t appreciate and work hard for it.

Is all stress good, no because a lot of stress can lead to depression and/or suicide but I didn’t say you need a lot, just a little every now and then. See, when you work hard for the things you got/get, it makes you appreciate them more. When you work hard for your marriage you appreciate your spouse more for the small things and not just the big ones. When you hard work to get and keep the house you got, then you appreciate it by decorating and keeping it looking good. When you work hard on staying healthy and keeping your temple (your body) clean, then you’ll appreciate when you don’t get sick. See, when you work hard for things you have, you have a better chance of keeping them because whose willing to lose something they’ve invested years in or gained with their sweat and tears?

Now, don’t get me wrong I am not wishing stress on anyone because Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,” but what I am saying is sometimes a little stress doesn’t hurt. See, its those times that you’re stressed that makes you talk to God more. Its those times that you’re stressed that makes you pray more and its those times that you’re stressed that makes you praise more. Having a little stress even makes you study God’s word more, so yea, sometimes a little stress is needed. Stress comes when you’re tired because you have a lot of stuff running through your mind about things you’ve got to do tomorrow but the bible says in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” so make a list of things to do and go to bed. Stress comes at the moment you’re running late for an important meeting or doctors appointment, but it’ll teach you to get up a little earlier so you won’t have this problem again. Stress is present when you’re going through a sickness but it’ll make you appreciate your well days. Stress, also, shows up when you’re dealing with the death of a loved one but it’ll make you cherish the times and memories of them so much more.

A little stress makes you tough enough to endure the storms you’ll face in this life. With that little stress that you face you’re able to stand and look the devil and his followers in their face when they try to attack your life. Stress makes you strong and in your strength you gain salvation from the holy spirit who resides with you daily and in those moments when it seems like the stress is winning, the Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf. The bible says in Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” So, see dealing with and handling the little bit of stress that comes your way makes you capable of then handling the blessings that God is about to send your way. Think of it like this, stress leads to blessings because if you stress a little, you work harder to not endure the same stress again which makes you appreciate the blessings that God has in store for you! When all else fails, stressed spelled backwards is desserts, so have a few and let it go! Put it in God’s hands and let him work it out. Everything that you have or that you’ll get won’t come easily but it makes keeping them that much better!