Living for God Column (TM)

 "Stress Isn't a Fruit of the Spirit"

By Calvin and Lisa Wulf

     “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

     "I'm just totally drowning in stress," he groans, burying himself in the couch.  "There's way too much going on right now.  And I can't control any of it."

     "Yeah, my office isn't any better," she sighs.  "But there's something I don't get.  If we're Christians, then this shouldn't be happening.  Where's the peace they're always promising at church?"

     Stress!  We all know how it feels.  Overwhelmed and trapped.  Too much to do and no time.  No matter how hard we try, we just get farther behind.  We wind up exhausted and hopeless.  In the end we’re like lab rats running through the maze desperately trying to avoid the electric shock.

     So is stress one of the fruits of the Spirit that we hear so much about?  Sure doesn’t feel much like love, joy, or peace.  In fact, it’s so opposite that it can rock our boat in a heartbeat.  Is Christian faith just a broken promise, or have we forgotten who’s really in control?

     Not only is God in charge, but he’s looking after each of us every day.  He’s promised us that he won’t let us drown in the storm.  So rather than battle the stress, maybe we’d be better off to stand aside and let him fight for us.

     So how will we recover the promise of love, joy, and peace?  Perhaps by entering into God’s rest.  As Jesus steers our ships through the sea of stress, let’s just go to our cabins and get a good night’s sleep.  Then our spiritual fruit will bloom and ripen again.

     Is chaos rocking your boat?  Try this:

·        Downsize your stress.  Get out of the maze.

·        Accept that you can’t handle everything.  Be gentle with yourself.

·        Ask God to take charge of the storm.  Rest in his shelter.

     Maybe it’s time to drop anchor.  God wants to moor your ship to his peace and free you to enjoy his fruit.  Remember, he never gets stressed.  So why should you?

Living for God (TM) offers resources on Christian living.  Check them out at www.livingforgod.net or call (719) 578-8837.

© 2007 Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf