To Be Or Not To Be?

“You should keep a clear mind in every situation.” 2 Tim. 4:5 [emphasis added]

When we get under stress [stressed up], we easily blame our circumstances. We blame people around us, our work, everything. We blame the circumstances but the truth is our circumstances are not the cause. Stress is a response. Stress is internal but our circumstances are external. Yes, the car broke down but you chose to be stressed. Yes, the power company has cut off power to your house but you can choose to be stressed or not to be stressed. So you can put two people in the exact same situations, one person would be stressed and the other person would not. It shows that stress has nothing to do with the situation. Your neighbor’s power was cut too but they seem to be singing praise and worship while you are complaining about the country. Two people, two families, same situation, one stressed out and the other is not.

Very recently, God delivered our nation from an epidemic, right? During the epidemic outbreak, some people were so stressed out. Even parents were scared to hug their children when they returned from school. They first send them to the bathroom for a thorough wash – unnecessary stress. I know some people do not believe the stress about the epidemic was unnecessary. Yet, do you know that some people were not stressed and we are in the same country? Some people are so stressed about the economy while others are not stressed because their focus is on God who is able to supply all their needs.

Nevertheless, am I saying we should not be aware of what is going on around us? What I am saying is do not be stressed by what is happening around you. The truth about stress is we are not stressed by what is going on around us or what is before us. We are stressed by how we perceive what is going on around us. In other words, what is before us does not stress us; it is our perception of it that stresses us. You can give two people the same amount of work. One will be stressed while the other person will not be simply because one is focused on the load of work, and the other is focused on the grace f God.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, please help me keep a clear mind in every situation and keep my focus on Your strength at work in me, in Jesus Name.