When Stress Comes...Remember

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

In his book, Knowing God, J.I.. Packer, prescribes an oft-proven remedy for regaining God’s peace when the strain is on. Sifting through Paul’s magnificent eighth chapter of Romans, Packer explores the apostle’s call for lucid thinking when stress peaks.

“Paul knows that ‘emotional thinking’ under life’s pressures - that is, the rationalizing of reactions - forfeits our possessions of peace hope, and joy...”

“Think of what you know through the gospel, says Paul, and apply it. Think against your feelings; argue yourself out of the gloom they have spread; unmask the belief they have nourished. Take yourself in hand, talk to yourself, make yourself look up from your problems to the God of the gospel; let evangelical thinking correct emotional thinking.”

Emotions are God-given, but they are not reliable barometers of God’s transcendent peace. Deal with them, express them suitably, but do not let them gain the upper hand.

Remind yourself, as Paul says, that God is ready to supply your needs, intercede for you, and prevent any evil tiding from stifling you since you now “conquer through Him who loved you” Rom 8:37. This will carry the day and carry you.