Stress is something that everyone experiences once in their life…if not quite often. It puts a hold on joy and fruitfulness, and even cripples motivation and productivity. You may be experiencing some of this stress as we near the end of the National Bible Bee summer study. While we are experiencing the exciting culmination of the summer study, there is likely a great deal of stress surrounding it all regarding preparation for the qualifying test.
But how wonderful it is that we have a God who knows our every need and our daily struggles, and gives us peace when we are overwhelmed! One of the most helpful ways to combat stress, worry, and anxiety is to grow nearer to the One who is our Comforter, Protector, and Provider. A great way to grow closer in relationship with God and calm some stress is to spend some time with Him and His Word. Set some time aside to pray and meditate over scriptures, whether it is part of a passage you are studying or memorizing, or another verse that contains a beautiful reminder of God’s closeness and peace in struggling moments.
Here’s just some of the many verses in the Bible that address stress and worry, and God’s unwavering love toward us. May they encourage you to move forward and combat stress in your life. Keep striving to keep Jesus at the forefront of your goals, and keep your eyes on the true goal and prize!
Rejoice in the Lord, who Guards Hearts and Gives Peace. The Lord is always near and ever present. No matter which situation you are in, He is at hand. It’s important to keep our eyes on Him and remember to rejoice no matter the circumstance! He is always greater than any circumstance!
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Bring all your Worries to the Lord. Sometimes the hardest thing to do in a difficult situation is to let it go and give up the stress and anxiety that can have such a strong hold over day-to-day life. Thankfully, we have a God who desires us to experience the freedoms that come without stress, worry, and anxiety.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB)
Our God is the God of Comfort. The Lord comforts us in our affliction and knows our innermost thoughts. He understands our needs and knows what is best for us.
“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 (NKJV)
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV)
Jesus Understands Our Situations. The Lord understands! He knows our thoughts, desires, and the ups and downs in our lives. He is perfect and has a good and perfect plan for us all!
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
We hope these scriptures help to encourage you to keep going and push forward. The outcome is far greater than anything here on the earth! The God of Peace is near and the Holy Spirit is with us, guiding us and guarding us, providing wisdom and discernment, and giving us peace, hope, and joy amidst difficult times of life.
Written by NBB Alumna: Emma Fernandez
