I’m Stressed Out, Lord!

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our Refuge,” (Psalm 62:8).

It is obvious that stress can make our illnesses react negatively; yet when people tell me this, I want to reply, “If I wasn’t ill, I wouldn’t be stressed!” It’s a catch-22 situation.

My chiropractor says he would rather treat someone after a fall than someone dealing with ongoing stress. A person who falls will heal faster. When I was particularly stressed out, he told me I was “internalizing” & I needed to find a stress outlet. He shared how some of his patients read, some walked, some prayed.

I pray! But as I mulled over his words, I realized I pray, sing, walk, & praise. . . unless I get extremely overwhelmed. Then I tend to clam up & hold everything inside. It is as if I am trying to be tough & strong, even for God.

How unnecessary. I don’t need to pretend for Him. God is our refuge. Prayer is His prescribed stress outlet for us. Yes, He already knows all that is occurring in our lives & how we feel about it, but He wants to hear it from us. The Bible says we are to pour out our hearts to Him. Pour it all out! Be honest. Get it out there. The Lord God wants to hear your unpolished cries. He wants to hear your real heart. He can take the questions. He can take the anger. He will comfort the hurt. His greatest desire is authentic intimacy.

But we have to go to Him. He waits for us with arms open wide. He wants us to give Him all our pressures, stress, & worry. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you,” (I Peter 5:7). We can relax & let God take over.

Lord God Almighty, You care for me & can h&le anything & everything that comes my way. What sweet relief.

Reprinted from Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill.

Author/Contributor of the devotional above is Erica Faraone. Erica is… 33, is an author, singer, & speaker who lives in Whitefish, MT with her wonderful husb&, Scott. She lives with fibromyalgia.