With the craziness and busyness of life it’s so easy to be worried and anxious. We wonder how we will pay our bills, feed our families, care for a loved one, or just stay afloat.

We walk around feeling tense and on edge with our jaws clenched and shoulders tight. We get headaches or back aches and it’s all a result of stress and pressure.

Stress is kind of like a thief. It shows up unexpectedly and robs us… of joy, peace, and in some instance our health. If we could take the focus and shift it from our problems to focusing on God we’d be in a better place mentally and physically as well.

The Bible says in Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV):

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What a promise from God! Wouldn’t it be great to have that kind of peace? Let’s pray and put our worries and burdens in God’s hands like the word of God says. I mean truly let them all go! Take a deep breath right now, let go of the burdens, release them to God, and give Him thanks. He wants to set us free from the stress and pressure.

Will our problems magically go away, probably not, however the problems will no longer seem insurmountable. As a result we will have the clarity needed to move forward and get out of the rut we’ve been stuck in.

If we do this our minds will be free from needless worry and God can maybe even use us to be a blessing to someone else.

How will you shine today?