Jesus is the Best Stress Management Therapist

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him. (Revelation 3:20)  

Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and knocking for you to let Him in. 

So, listen to His voice and open the door of your heart to Him so that He can come in to your life and dine with you as He helps you manage your stressful situation. 

Even if you have broken all the commandments and brought the stressful situation upon yourself, know that He still wants to help you and that is why He is standing at your door knocking because God did not send His Son Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but rather that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17)

In addition to not condemning you, Jesus also sympathizes with you for We do not have a High Priest Who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses because He was tempted just as we are and yet He was without sin. 

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace so that we may obtain mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

So do not feel shy because He already knows about the chaos caused by the stressful situation in your life.

Open the door to Jesus right now and let Him in by deciding to turn away from your sinful past and saying with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" while you believe in your heart that when He died for our sins, God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

Jesus Manages Emotional Stress

After letting Jesus into your life, let Him see the emotional wounds caused by the stressful situation so that He can help you manage emotional stress. 

For example, you can show Him the mutilation inflicted by your child’s suicide that has ached for continually for decades. Show Him the windows of your heart patched with old newspapers that will not let the light of love in after the panes were shattered by an unfaithful spouse. Show Him stinking garbage that you brought home one evening, grew attached to and have been unable to throw out. Let Him palpate your pain and fell the frustration that is erupting in angry outbursts. 

Jesus Manages Spiritual Stress

Jesus can manage your spiritual stress the way He managed that of the many who were demon-possessed for He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick, (Matthew 8:16 ) So let Him see the spiritual issues you are dealing with so that He can help you manage spiritual stress. 

For example, you can show Him the nights you spend awake and unable to sleep due to unexplained insomnia. Let Him see the nights you fall asleep only to wake up drenched in sweat due to horrifying nightmares. Show Him the things you do against your will due to demonic oppression.

Jesus Manages Mental Stress

Let Jesus also see the mental wounds in your mind so that He can help you manage mental stress. 

For example, you can show Him the cracks in the walls of your mind that keep extending every day as your problems become more and more unbearable. Show Him the rooms in your head that you will not enter as they are haunted by broken dreams and wasted opportunities. Show Him the toilets that will not flush and let go of painful memories as they are clogged with anger, bitterness, and hatred. Let Him decipher your tears and doctor the silent screams that are smothering you into depression. 

Jesus Manages Physical Stress

Jesus can manage your physical stress the way He managed that of the leper whom He healed. (Matthew 8:1-3) Therefore, unveil the wounds and sores on your body so that He can help you manage your physical stress. 

For example, you can show Him the mastectomy scar and lymph-edematous limb. Let Him see the eye that was blinded by the freak accident. Show Him see the kidneys that have failed due to diabetes. Let Him auscultate the lungs afflicted by cancer.

Jesus Manages Financial Stress

Jesus can manage your financial stress by telling you where to get money the way He told Peter where to fish for the money to pay for their taxes. (Matthew 17:27) Therefore, do not hide your financial statements from Him so that He can also help you manage financial stress. 

For example, you can show Him the meals you forego to buy your medication. Let Him see your last pay slip before you were unjustly sacked. Show Him around the tiny room you are cramped in since your house was repossessed.

Jesus Manages Family Stress

Jesus can manage your family stress by solving the problems in your family the way He solved those of the widow of Nain by raising her dead son. (Luke 7:11-17) So, do not hide the problems in your family from Him so that He can also help you manage family stress. 

For example, you can show Him the pain caused by the wayward spouse. Tell Him about the son who has been addicted to drugs for years. Let Him see the daughter who has departed from the Christian foundation you laid for her.

Jesus Manages Social Stress

Jesus can manage your social stress the way He helped the couple at the wedding in Cana by turning water into wine to save their day (John 2:1-11). So, do not hide your social problems from Him so that He can help you manage social stress. 

For example, you can show Him the rejection your felt when you were ostracised by those who should have accepted you. Let Him see the pain caused by the bullies. Show Him shame you felt when you were publicly embarrassed.

Jesus Manages Environmental Stress

Jesus can manage your environmental stress the way He calmed the storm in the sea (Matthew 8:23-27). Therefore, do not hide the problems in your surroundings so that He can help you manage environmental stress. 

For example, you can tell Him about the drug dealers who make your neighborhood unsafe. Let Him hear the neighbors who play loud music during the night. Show Him the cold you feel as the wintery winds blow into your home.

Jesus Manages All Stress

Since Jesus can manage all types of stress, let Jesus see the full extent of your stressful situation so that He can restore you to wholeness. 

Do not fear to bare it all for Him for He looks with love, listens with compassion and loves you just as you are and that is why He wants to dine with you. 

Do not try to edit your sources of stress because He is the only one Who can see it all and heal it all. 

Decide to let Jesus be your Chief Stress Management Therapist because He is the only one who can solve it all. 

Consult Him every day by praying. Read your Bible every day to know His prescription for your problems and then heed it just as you obey recommendations from your psychiatrist, family doctor, psychotherapist, family therapist, financial adviser or social worker.

This devotional is part of our Free Daily Devotions series.