As I was finishing this article that I was assigned to write on the topic of stress, I heard the captain announce that our flight to Denver had been diverted to Western Nebraska Regional Airport.
Immediately, the mood of the plane shifted. People were nervously whispering about missed connections. A few babies were crying—probably hungry and confused. A sense of anxiety was spreading across the cabin.
It was a bit tense, and yet, not everyone seemed affected. Some were sleeping. Others were quietly reading. We were all in the same situation, yet we were having very different responses.
Stress often has less to do with what’s happening to us and more to do with how we respond to uncertainty.
What Does the Bible Say About Stress?
You might be surprised to learn that the Bible doesn’t use the word stress. You won’t find a verse that says, “When you are stressed, pray these words.” Even Proverbs—the book packed with practical wisdom for everyday life—doesn’t contain a single proverb on stress. That’s a little surprising considering Solomon, the author of much of Proverbs, had hundreds of wives and concubines. If anyone had reasons to be stressed, he did.
So does that mean God has nothing to say about stress?
Not at all. While the Bible doesn’t use the word stress, it absolutely speaks to the experiences that create it—pressure, fear, exhaustion, grief, uncertainty, responsibility, conflict, and danger. Scripture is filled with God’s people facing overwhelming circumstances and finding hope in His faithfulness.
Stress Is Not Sin—But It Reveals a Lot About Us
Let’s start with an important truth: stress is not sin. It is a human experience that results from the pressures of life. It’s your body and mind’s reaction to the challenges you face. In fact, to feel stress means you care. It means something important to you feels uncertain, threatened, or overwhelming. In many ways, it reveals what you value and love.
Consider Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke 22:44 tells us His stress was so intense that “his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.” Even our Savior experienced the weight of overwhelming pressure.
But here’s the caution: while stress itself is not sinful, how we respond to stress can lead us into sin. The frantic scrambling to control everything, the blaming of others, the silent seething of resentment, or the isolating withdrawal—these are heart-level responses that often go unchecked.
The Bible calls us not just to survive stress but to respond to it with wisdom and faith.
Everyone Feels Stress—You’re Not Alone
You’re not unique in your experience of stress. It may feel that way, but the pressures you face are not rare. Some have siblings who are challenging to get along with. Others are battling chronic illnesses, facing financial strain, enduring criticism at work, or living with a spouse who seems emotionally distant.
Stress may take different forms, but it’s woven into every human story. That’s not meant to minimize what you’re facing. It’s meant to comfort you with this truth: You’re not the only one, and you’re not forgotten. God has walked with His people through every kind of stress imaginable—and He’s walking with you too.
What Are Common (Unhelpful) Ways We React to Stress?
When the pressure builds, our instinct is often to escape it or blame someone else for it. We might:
- Distract ourselves with endless entertainment or busyness
- Explode at those closest to us (because they feel “safe”)
- Self-medicate with food, alcohol, shopping, or digital noise
- Blame our spouses, children, coworkers, or circumstances
- Turn inward and isolate from the very people who could help us
- Try to control every detail of our situation
- Catastrophize and assume the worst possible outcomes
These responses are understandable—they’re human. But they rarely solve our problems and often create new ones.
What if there’s a better way?
How Did Jesus Teach Us to Respond to Stressful Situations?
Jesus entered a world full of stress and pressure. He encountered people in situations that mirror our modern challenges—and His responses provide both comfort and direction for us today. Consider these situations.
Hopeless Situation – The man at the pool of Bethesda, paralyzed for 38 years (John 5). Jesus steps in with healing and hope, showing us that no situation is beyond God’s reach.
Unexpected Crisis – The disciples caught in a violent storm (Mark 4). While they panicked, Jesus spoke peace over the chaos, reminding us that God’s power is greater than any storm we face.
Public Embarrassment – The woman caught in adultery (John 8). Jesus responded with both grace and truth, showing us how to extend compassion without compromising righteousness.
Impossible Demands – Feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish (John 6). Jesus provided more than enough, demonstrating that God’s resources are never limited by our circumstances.
Constant Conflict – Confrontations with religious leaders who questioned His every move. Jesus stayed grounded in truth and in doing His Father’s will, not swayed by criticism or opposition.
Health Crises – Jairus’ daughter dying, friends sick and suffering (Mark 5, John 11). Jesus entered directly into people’s grief and brought healing and hope.
Ultimate Danger – Arrest, torture, and crucifixion. Even facing death, Jesus entrusted Himself entirely to the Father, praying “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Overwhelming Responsibility – Discipling followers, teaching crowds, healing the sick, dealing with constant demands. Jesus regularly withdrew to pray and depend on His Father (Luke 5:16).
In every kind of pressure, Jesus shows us that God is present, compassionate, and powerful. His peace wasn’t based on perfect circumstances but on perfect trust in His Father. That’s why you can trust Him with your own stressful situation.
What Should Christians Do With Their Stress?
So how should a believer respond when life feels overwhelming? Here are four biblical principles that can transform how we handle stress:
1. Go to God with your stressors.
Don’t try to carry your burdens alone. This isn’t just good advice—it’s a biblical command. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.” The word “cast” implies throwing with force, not gently placing. God can handle your stress, anger, fears, and questions.
Philippians 4:6-7 gives us a beautiful promise: “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.”
Notice it says “everything”—not just the spiritual things, but the stressful, practical, overwhelming things too. This includes your job situation, marriage struggles, health concerns, or financial pressures. He’s not distant or disinterested. He’s near and He cares.
2. Believe that God desires to grow you through your stress.
This might be the hardest truth to accept, but Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that “we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
Your stress is not wasted or meaningless. God doesn’t waste our pain—He redeems it. The pressure you’re feeling today can become the very place where your faith deepens, your character strengthens, and your dependence on God grows. James 1:2-4 echoes this truth: trials can produce spiritual maturity if we let them.
This doesn’t mean we should seek out stress or pretend to be happy about difficult circumstances. It means we can trust that God is working, especially in the hardest seasons of our lives.
3. Trust God and obey Him even when it’s hard.
It’s tempting to put obedience on pause when we feel overwhelmed. We say or think:
- “I’ll get back to reading my Bible when things calm down.”
- “I’ll start serving again when my schedule opens up.”
- “I’ll work on my marriage when I’m less stressed at work.”
But the most meaningful faith is lived out when life is messy. Trusting God doesn’t mean your situation gets easier immediately. It means you believe He’s good and He’s guiding you even when you can’t see the way forward.
Sometimes obedience during stress looks like choosing to speak kindly to your spouse even when you’re frustrated. Sometimes it’s showing up to serve at church even when you’re tired. Sometimes it’s continuing to give financially even when money feels tight. These small acts of faithfulness in stressful times often become the foundation for our breakthrough.
4. Remember that God is with you in your stress.
One of the most comforting truths in all of Scripture is the promise of God’s presence. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Notice it doesn’t say “if I walk through the valley.” Difficult seasons are part of life, but God’s presence in them is guaranteed for His children.
God is not watching you from a distance, hoping you figure it out on your own. He’s with you, strengthening you, shaping you, and walking beside you—even on flights diverted to Nebraska, hospital waiting rooms, difficult conversations with your teenager, or when the bills pile up and the solutions feel impossible.
Practical Steps for Managing Stress God’s Way
Beyond these foundational truths, here are some practical ways to apply biblical wisdom to your daily stress:
Start your day with prayer – Before checking your phone or diving into your to-do list, spend time with God. Even five minutes can set a different tone for your entire day.
Practice gratitude – When stress focuses our attention on what’s wrong, gratitude redirects us to God’s faithfulness. Keep a simple gratitude list or make it part of your daily prayers.
Find community – Galatians 6:2 calls us to “bear one another’s burdens.” You weren’t meant to carry stress alone. Connect with other believers who can pray for you, encourage you, and offer practical help.
Take care of your body – Stress affects us physically. Getting adequate sleep, eating well, and exercising aren’t selfish—they’re stewardship of the body God gave you.
Set boundaries – Jesus Himself withdrew from crowds and demands to spend time with His Father (Luke 5:16). It’s not ungodly to say no to some things so you can say yes to what matters most.
Remember your identity – Stress often makes us forget who we are in Christ. You are deeply loved, completely forgiven, and eternally secure. These truths don’t change based on your circumstances.
Conclusion
Stress will never be eliminated from our lives—not in this world. But the presence of stress doesn’t mean the absence of God. In fact, it’s often in our most stressful moments that God shows us His sufficiency most clearly.
Whatever your stress may be today—conflict at home, a frightening medical diagnosis, overwhelming work pressure, financial uncertainty, or just the relentless demands of daily life—don’t face it alone. Bring it to the Lord. Trust Him in the middle of the mess. Let your stress become the very place where faith grows deeper and hope becomes more real.
The same God who calmed the storm for the disciples wants to bring peace to your storm. The same Jesus who wept with Mary and Martha in their grief wants to comfort you in yours. The same Spirit who strengthened the early church in persecution wants to strengthen you in your pressures.
You are not forgotten. You are not alone. And your story is not over. God will be in it with you, and you can trust him with whatever stressors you are facing.
