This is probably not the first book you’ve seen about overcoming stress. Maybe you’ve read one too many self-help books about stress management and you’re wondering if this book will be any different. Relaxation techniques? Tried that. Healthy eating, exercise, stress-relieving activities? Checked. Still stressed out when the demands of life hit? Yes. 

My friend, a life that’s free from stress, worry, and anxiety cannot be achieved by trying another method. It’s not about doing more on the outside. It’s about being at rest on the inside. This inward rest does not come by calming music, scents, or poses, which are all external. It comes by knowing that we have a God who loves us and looks out for us. 

In His Word, the Lord encourages us to cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us affectionately and watchfully (see 1 Pet. 5:7 AMPC). This means that every situation you need to see to, every expectation you need to meet, every fear you harbor, every secret cry of your heart—He knows and cares. Nothing escapes His attention when it comes to you and the things you care about. If it’s important to you, it’s important to Him. You might not realize this, but He’s working behind the scenes of your life to turn every difficult situation around for your good (see Rom. 8:28). 

Beloved, that is why you can let go of all your stress, worries, and anxieties to the Lord! When you let go of your cares to Him, you’re letting Him care for you. You’re letting Him supply all your needs. 

So when the demands of life hit, don't hold on to your cares and get stressed. Learn to let go. Because when you let go, you let God!

Have you ever brushed off a friend’s well-intentioned advice to “stop worrying”? In fact, you might feel as if you have every legitimate reason to worry! After all, not worrying about something or someone you care for sounds irresponsible. And if you choose to simply “let go” of your cares, nothing will happen. Right?

I love how Jesus responds to this perception that to worry is to be responsible in the Sermon on the Mount. He poses this question to the people: “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matt. 6:27 NLT).

My friend, worrying gets you nowhere! It cannot change your situation. It cannot add one moment to your life. In fact, it steals many precious moments from you. Moments to enjoy your loved ones. Moments to appreciate the beauty all around you. Moments to be thankful for all the things the Lord has done for you.

While worry can’t change a thing, do you know what—or who—can? In the same breath that Jesus tells us to not worry, He reveals the heart of our heavenly Father, who knows all the things that we need—provision, health, and wholeness—even before we ask Him. When we choose to let go of our worries and cares to Him, He will add to us everything we need in this life.

Today, you can afford to stop worrying and live carefree in the care of your heavenly Father!

Are the demands of life running you ragged? Has stress been taking a toll on your health? My friend, if you’re feeling tired and overwhelmed, it’s time to take a rest. Your body was not designed to live under constant stress. 

According to researchers at Mayo Clinic, chronic stress puts us at risk of numerous health problems, including anxiety disorders, high blood pressure, sleep problems, and weight gain (1). It can even lead to depression and suicidal tendencies. Beloved, a life of stress is not God’s plan for you. 

Do you know that the very first thing Jesus redeemed us from was stress? The Gospel of Luke tells us that in the garden of Gethsemane, “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Today, doctors tell us that blood vessels that feed the sweat glands may rupture and exude blood when one is under extreme stress (2). When Jesus sweat blood, He was taking the agony of stress upon Himself so that we would be redeemed from it! 

Why was it so important to the Lord to redeem us from stress? Because He wants us healthy. When He redeemed us from stress, He also redeemed us from all the harmful effects that come with it. 

Beloved, the Lord has delivered you from a life of stress into a life of rest! This means that you can prosper in your career and be a blessing to your family—all without being consumed by stress. You can live healthy and strong, and enjoy all the fruits of your labor (see Ps. 128:2). This is the life of rest that God designed you to live! 

Today, when the demands of life put stress on you, let it go to the Lord. Don’t hold on to what the Lord has delivered you from. As you let go and let God, you will step into the life of rest and experience the health, joy, and blessings that come with it!