I am too blessed to be stressed! Yes, I know some of you think I am nuts to say that amid a global pandemic, but it’s true.
As I write this, the United States, like much of the world, is enduring travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 virus. Where I live in Southern California, we are living with a “shelter-in-place” order. Shelter-in-place means we are to stay home except for necessary travel to grocery stores and doctors.
Schools are closed. All major sporting events, concerts, etc., have been canceled. All businesses deemed non-essential by the government have been ordered closed. A friend with a suspiciously devious smile told me we are only a few weeks away from knowing everyone’s actual hair color because all the beauty salons are closed! Even public church services have been canceled and replaced with online worship services.
Despite all this, I can still get out to the store and have kept our cupboards stocked. My wife, son, and I are all healthy. Our daughter and her husband are healthy, and while we cannot visit them in person, we can video chat whenever we want.
I am blessed!
With readers in over 130 countries, I know many of you are enduring conditions far more challenging than I am.
Friends in Italy and Spain have told me they are under severe restrictions. They may not go out without approved personal protection devices (masks and gloves). They must have the authorities’ paperwork that permits the trip (groceries, doctors). If they do not comply, they can be fined or even arrested!
Likewise, I’ve heard of similar restrictions from readers in the Philippines, South Korea, England, and several other countries.
Blessed or Stressed?
I suspect many of you identify with the situation I described for my family. You are making the best of a difficult situation. You are doing OK, but you are getting increasingly anxious as the pandemic spreads. You wonder if you can protect your loved ones and keep them safe!
However, many of you are feeling stressed like never before. Some of you may have lost your jobs and are unsure of the future. Besides the fear of getting sick, you worry about whether you can provide for your family.
No matter your situation, I can assure you; that you cannot make the situation any better by being consumed with worry and stress.
In speaking to the disciples about the future, Jesus reassured them by saying,
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26)
Worrying will not add anything to our lives. Likewise, being stressed will not solve anything. So, Jesus says, why worry?
Recently, Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church said this about worry:
- Worry is unreasonable: Worrying about something you can’t change doesn’t work.
- Worry is unnatural: Humans are the only thing in God’s creation who worries.
- Worry is unhelpful: Worry changes nothing.
- Worry is unnecessary: If you trust God, you don’t need to worry!
So, cast aside your worry. Stop feeling stressed. Instead, let me suggest you focus on being blessed and having a joyful heart!
Be Blessed with a Joyful Heart
Doctors have noted the healing effect of a positive spirit for hundreds of years. People with a joyful spirit and a healthy emotional state tend to be spiritually sound. Spiritual soundness is a sustaining force when confronted with external trials and difficulties.
Solomon wrote,
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22)
So, focus on how God has blessed you and refuse to let stress and worry, deprive you of the joy of life.
During these uncertain times, the one person we can count on is God. The one thing we can be sure of is God’s love for His children. God promised He would never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Turn your focus from the trials of life beyond your control and focus instead on God.
So, my prayer for you is that you, too, are feeling you are too blessed to be stressed!
More Articles
I have written several articles on encouragement. You can find them by typing “encouragement” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are four of my favorites.
- #027: God Equips, Encourages, and Enables You for His Service
- #042: Five Elements of Powerful Encouragement
- #045: Do You Need Encouragement? Be an Encourager!
- #157: The Give and Take of Extraordinary Leaders
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. How are you coping with stress during the pandemic? Are you feeling too blessed to be stressed?
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Category: Relationship | Encouragement
A good reminder, Ron. The only caveat I’d share is that sometimes, measured worry can be beneficial. In law enforcement, we’d worry about outcomes. Especially in high-risk situations, like serving arrest warrants. We’d “worry” about unforeseen dangers, which made us prepare thoroughly. But then, at some point, we had to set worry aside and just do our job. Because excessive worrying was disruptive.
I would be anxious about unforeseen dangers as well! But like you say, you train as much as you can and just do the job no matter what.