In the last article in the series about stress, we looked at ways of reducing the impact of stress. In that article, we introduced some Biblical references that align with the concepts of psychology in dealing with stress. Many of the concepts that are used in worldly counselling in dealing with stress come directly from the Bible. This month we will focus on Biblical principles, and how various men and women of the Bible used or chose not to use these principles to cope with stressors and the results of their decisions.

We first looked at the strategy of problem-solving which can be used when stressors are perceived as changeable, when there is a stressor that we can control. With problem-solving, we can reduce stress by doing practical things that we can do to reduce or remove the stress in our lives. Who in the Bible used problem-solving to cope with a stressful situation? Did they lean upon their own strength to problem-solve? “We need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 146

Let us look at the example of Nehemiah. He was the king’s cupbearer in Persia when he learned of the deplorable condition of the walls surrounding his beloved city of Jerusalem, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from its enemies. He knew he had to do something, but there were many obstacles to overcome in order to make it happen. He decided that he would be the one to undertake the task of rebuilding the walls, but first certain conditions would need to be met before he could put his plan into motion. How did he problem-solve? First he prayed, urging God to keep His promise to His people to end their captivity. After praying for God’s blessing on his work, the next step was to gain permission from the king to be relieved of his duties and to return to Jerusalem. God softened this heathen king’s heart and granted Nehemiah his request. Nehemiah then asked for a military escort for safe passage back to Jerusalem, and for supplies needed to rebuild the wall. Lastly, he asked for letters to prove that he was authorized to perform the work of overseeing the rebuilding of the walls. Throughout the planning process Nehemiah prayed for God to open the way. Only when we ask God to guide our plans can they be successful. But, prayer alone is not enough. We need to take action—we need to work, we need to be able, with God’s help, to remove the obstacles that may be in our way. “Careful consideration and well-matured plans are as essential to the carrying forward of sacred enterprises today as in the time of the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 633

Other examples from the Bible include King Solomon who, in the beginning of his reign, prayed for wisdom to lead God’s people. We see this wisdom in the example of the two women presented before him, each claiming that the child brought before the king was hers. Solomon’s problem-solving was evident in his presenting the idea of cutting the child in two and offering half to each woman. This quickly revealed who the real mother was.

The greatest act of problem-solving seen in the Bible was after Adam and Eve fell into sin. How to reconcile back to God two people who were now doomed to death because they had sinned by eating the forbidden fruit? To destroy Adam and Eve would have sent a message to the universe that God is an unforgiving Judge to those who rebel against Him. The Plan of Salvation was formulated, where man could be redeemed by the death of Jesus on the cross, thus allowing sinners to escape the punishment of death. This problem of sin is the greatest problem that we face in this world, with the solution formulated by a loving and merciful God, so that all have a chance for salvation if they believe and obey His commandments.

When people take matters into their own hands, problem-solving without God’s help, we see the opposite happen. We see the grief that was brought about in the deception that Jacob and Rachel exacted on Isaac. We have the example of Abraham and Sarah, who doubted God’s leading when he promised to make of Abraham’s seed a great nation; he chose to have a child with Hagar instead of waiting on God to give him and Sarah a son in their old age. This caused a rift in the family, and the nation that was formed from Ishmael have been an enemy of God’s people since that time.

We looked at the ways that our own attitudes and perceptions can play a role in how stressful we feel. When we have a thought of how our life “should” be, or how the world “should” be, this causes a lot of stress when our life and the world around us do not meet our expectations. Often people blame God when they lack the things they feel they “should” have. “Never allow yourself to talk in a hopeless, discouraged way. If you do you will lose much. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulties and pressures come, you give evidence of a sickly enfeebled faith. Talk and act as if your faith was invincible.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 146. We are reminded of the popular verse in Romans 8:28, “And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” When we look at life from the perspective that this earth is only our temporary home, then we no longer think of what we “should” have in this life, but instead we focus on what we “should” do to strive for our future, eternal life in heaven.

We talked about finding a supportive network of friends to help us to reduce stress. Connections with others who are also striving for a common goal and can identify with the stress we encounter as we walk along our Christian path. Friends share our grief, our struggles, and help ease the burdens of life. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

We see examples in the Bible of supportive friendships. David and Jonathan became friends after David defeated Goliath. “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 1:18. Although by birth Jonathan was to be the heir to the throne, he knew that God had anointed David to be the next king of Israel and held no animosity towards him. It was David’s friendship with Jonathan that allowed his life to be preserved, and strengthened him when King Saul was determined to kill him.

Another beautiful friendship is the one shared by Ruth and Naomi. Ruth was a Moabitess and a heathen. However, after the death of both Ruth and Naomi’s husbands in the land of Moab, Naomi chose to return to Judah, to her family. Instead of returning to her own family, Ruth chose to return to Judah with Naomi. She recited the beautiful words we read in the Bible, “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Ruth 1:16

However, there are some stressors that are specific to Christians that we are also advised that we should not share with others except with God. When we struggle with overcoming sin, when our faith weakens, when we are encompassed about with temptations and feel discouraged, we need to seek divine help.  “When perplexities arise, and difficulties confront you, look not for help to humanity. Trust all with God. The practice of telling our difficulties to others only makes us weak, and brings no strength to them. It lays upon them the burden of our spiritual infirmities, which they cannot relieve. We seek the strength of erring, finite man, when we might have the strength of the unerring, infinite God.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 146.

The next topic was radical acceptance. This is a coping strategy that is used when situations are outside of our control, and there is nothing we can do to fix or change the situation. At these times we must practice radical acceptance. We allow ourselves to feel pain and sorrow, but we also accept reality instead of fighting against it. God allows things to happen in our lives for our character development. When we give up our need to control stress and relinquish all control to the Lord, we will reach radical acceptance. Acceptance is active, it does not mean that we agree with stressful situations, but it allows us to take steps to reduce our suffering. Let us look at a few examples of people from the Bible to further explain the concept of radical acceptance.

Daniel and his three friends were taken captive into Babylon, and instead of complaining about their situation, they remained faithful to God, despite the dangers of doing so. They accepted that they were to serve their heathen masters in a foreign land, and by their example taught godly principles to the kings and subjects of Babylon and Persia. Had they not accepted their fate, and instead murmured against God in allowing themselves to be captured, they would have dishonoured God and their influence for good would have been lost. Because they remained faithful to God, they were given high positions in the country where they could spread the knowledge of the true God far and wide.

Esther and Mordecai are both examples of problem-solving and radical acceptance. When Haman was determined to destroy Mordecai, and then the Jewish people, Mordecai devised a plan for Esther to save her people. Esther, through her faith in God had the courage to approach the king, with the thought that “If I perish, I perish.” Her willingness to die to try to save her people showed an acceptance that God was in charge, and she trusted in Him in taking her petition to the king.

Job had everything that man could strive for on this earth, great wealth, many children, and good health. He was “perfect and upright, and one that feared God.” Job 1:1. But, when he lost all his earthly possessions including his animals, his servants, his children and then his own health, did he lose his faith? No. He accepted that whatever his lot in life, it was God’s leading, and his faith never wavered. “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21. How often do we murmur when we do not have the things we desire on this earth, when we may be poor, without a family, or suffering ill health? Is this any less reason to accept God’s leading than if we were endowed with the riches of this earth?

Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers, and taken to a land far from his father, whom he loved dearly. He served in Potiphar’s house until Potiphar’s wife made an accusation against him. Joseph was cast into prison for the next two years. Because Joseph accepted his circumstances, the Lord blessed him. From slavery, to a prison cell, and then finally being placed second in command to the Pharaoh of Egypt, he was able to lead the nation through the seven years of famine, even being able to save his own family from starvation.

As the weight of all the sins of mankind weighed heavily on Him, Jesus prayed to His Father three times in the Garden of Gethsemane, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39. After He prayed, a calmness came over Jesus, He accepted drinking the bitter cup, to save the human race at any cost to Himself.

Despite being hunted by King Saul, and having to flee as a fugitive, David accepted that Saul was the anointed of the Lord and he would not harm him when the opportunity was given to him. Paul suffered persecution, affliction, beatings, in constant danger for his life, imprisoned, yet his witness was, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

We also see examples from the Bible of those who did not use radical acceptance. The children of Israel murmured against Moses and against God in the wilderness on the way to Canaan, instead of accepting God’s leading. The result was that of those who left Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb made it to the Promised Land. Initially, Jonah was unwilling to accept God’s command to go to Nineveh, and set sail instead for Tarshish. God caused Jonah to be swallowed by a fish to bring him to repentance. Then when God spared Nineveh after the inhabitants repented of their sins, Jonah again murmured against the leading of God, and God had to teach him yet another lesson. King Ahab took what was not his when he coveted Naboth’s vineyard, which, by Jewish law, was not his to own. It ultimately led to his death and the death of his wife, Jezebel, who conspired with him to take the vineyard by force.

The final concept that we talked about was gratitude. Even in the worst situations that we are in, we can find things for which we are grateful. When we focus on even the small mercies that God provides for us, we can endure the difficulties that life presents to us. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. As Christians, we have much to be grateful for. We are encouraged to count our blessings, as they all gifts from God.

We look again to the life of David. The whole of the book of Psalms are a witness to David’s gratitude towards God. He sang praises to God during the most difficult times in his life. He was grateful for His protection, His mercy, His creation, His forgiveness of sins, and for listening to his prayers. “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who heaelth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1–5

Christians have the most powerful stress-relief strategy known to mankind. It is so powerful that nothing on this earth can ultimately cause us any stress. We can find peace and comfort, knowing that the Ruler of the universe has told us to “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and there ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28–29

Helen Marttinen