"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow now reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"
Matthew 6: 25 - 27 NKJV
I was reminded once again this week of Jesus' perfect prescription for living a calm life. That is, DO NOT WORRY. However, I will go one step further and say do not worry, and remember who you are. Why would Jesus warn people of his day not too worry? Well, probably for the very same reasons He might tell people today not to worry. Because when we worry or are stressed, our bodies respond in a very unique way. First of all, adrenaline and cortisol are released into our systems, which is a part of the bodies pre programmed "fight of flight" response to stress. Yes, even though we might not be involved in a life threatening situation, our own stress level triggers our bodily systems to react as if we are. Our worry over that past due rent payment might just as well be a lion chasing us. What do we do? We ascertain the situation, if it is prudent to fight off that lion or simply to run away. Either way, our bodies are prepared for a fight. Now that we know a little about how our bodies react to stressful situations, consider how those biological reactions affect how we feel. Our immune system will most likely be compromised, making us more likely to become sick. Our blood pressure will rise, which is not a good sign for those with heart issues. All in all, the stress that worrying brings can definitely be a bad deal for most people, myself included. So it was that I was reminded once again this week as I dealt with issues at home and at work. As a result, I once again was afflicted with a virus. Was this avoidable? Absolutely! If I had followed the Jesus prescription I have no doubt that I would have been able to skate through this time of turmoil unscathed. Yeah, you'd think I would have learned by now huh? Is it possible for us to take a look at how Jesus handled stress in His life? Definitely. We know that the man Jesus was persecuted, insulted, maligned and made to feel lower than dirt. Add to that the constant threat of those who wanted Him dead. I believe that Jesus knew all too well about all of the desires and plans of those who plotted to kill Him, for He often told His disciples that He would be put to death and rise again. I believe that Jesus knew His destiny, which is all part of the Jesus prescription.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Matthew 6: 34 NKJV
I was reminded about the Jesus prescription on a rocky trail a few years ago. As I navigated a narrow path a few hundred feet above the ground, I related to my friend that I did not want to die on that trail. Obviously, fear and worry had taken hold of me. My friend just laughed and said, 'You're not going to die, Scott.' He was right. What triggered my stress was what I saw around me. In that moment, I forgot who I was. This is a critical part of the Jesus prescription, remembering who we truly are. As I look back on that day on the trail, I realize what my friend was trying to teach me. For if Jesus has defeated death, then I need not fear it as well {Romans 6:9}. How much stress does that remove from our lives, just knowing that we no longer need to fear dying? The apostle Paul also provides us with valuable knowledge in Galatians. Paul explains to us that the old person we once resembled is no more, but has been replaced with the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Therefore, it is Christ Jesus who lives in us today {Galatians 2:20}. Do you remember how Jesus dealt with stress in His life? Well, we can deal with it the same way...as Him. Oh, how many cold and flu viruses I could have avoided had I simply adhered to the Jesus prescription. Resting in the knowing that I live my life as Christ who is in me. And if it is Christ Jesus who is in me, then I have His strength in me as well. The Jesus prescription.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Philippians 4: 13 NKJV
~Scott~
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