Sermon Devotions

Navigating Life’s Storms

A Biblical Perspective on Stress Management

Day 4: Following Jesus’ Example in Stress and Applying Practical Steps

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'” Matthew 26:36-39 ESV

In this scripture, we see Jesus in deep emotional distress as he anticipates His crucifixion. Despite the intensity of His stress, Jesus turns to prayer and submits to God’s will. His example teaches us how to respond to stressful situations – not by avoiding them, but by praying fervently and surrendering our will to God’s sovereign plan.
Imagine you’re about to face an incredibly challenging task, such as a complex project or exam. You’re stressed, overwhelmed, and you wish you could skip it. But, you decide to reach out to a mentor, share your anxieties, and ask for their advice. Then, you acknowledge that you must complete the task regardless of your desires. This is like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. His response offers us a practical approach to stress: share your burdens, pray, and submit to God’s will.
  • How did Jesus respond to the intense stress and sorrow He experienced in Gethsemane?
  • Who did Jesus share His burden with, and what did this teach us?
  • What was Jesus’s ultimate desire as He faced His impending crucifixion?
  • How does Jesus’s response to stress in Gethsemane inspire your approach to stressful situations?
  • How can you imitate Jesus’s example of prayer and surrender in your own life?
  • What step can you take today to practice sharing your burdens and seeking God’s will in prayer?

Pray

Reflect on the intense stress Jesus experienced and His faithful response. Ask God to help you follow Jesus’s example of prayer and surrender in the face of pressure. Pray for the humility and trust to submit to God’s will and for the strength to share your burdens and seek His guidance.

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