Are you in over your head? Is there too much happening? Maybe it's your own doing - your unwillingness to say, "No." Or it could be that circumstances beyond your control have you drowning in an overwhelming tide.

To me the opposite of being stressed is to have joy! Joy doesn't depend on a change in circumstances, it's strength in them.

A Simple Verse

This verse is in the process of changing my life:

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

- Psalm 28:7, NLT

From this simple verse are four clear steps to beating stress. Simple truth isn't necessarily easy, but it's always rewarding.

Step One - REMEMBER

When I get stressed the number one reason is because I keep thinking about my circumstances. It may be a feeling of too much to do, or frustration or hurt over things that are hard.

It's not hard to remember the circumstances, but I can only remember who God is when I choose to do so. When I'm struggling with that choice I often turn to Job 38. Here God is responding to Job in the middle of His stress-induced complaints, and He reminds Job of who He is. A great way to personalize this passage is to pray the chapter back to God in praise.

Step Two - BELIEVE

"God is Good...ALL THE TIME" is one of my favorite quotes. Trusting God requires me to accept the fact that even in difficult circumstances God is doing what is best for me and those I love. This becomes much easier when I've taken the time to remember how amazing God really is.

Taking the time to tell God about your situation and the angst you feel is a step toward Him. He already knows, but in telling Him, sometimes you'll understand your own stress better. After telling God what's on your mind, remind yourself that you trust Him. "God, I trust you. I believe even the things that don't make sense to me are for my good, because Good is what you are."

Step Three - RECEIVE

God always answers His children who cry out in faith. What God gives you in response is exactly what you need. Maybe it's a change of circumstances. Maybe it's a friend to help, Maybe it's insight to understand what God is doing in your heart. Or, maybe it's simply the strength to persevere. Whatever the case it will be accompanied with peace and joy.

Coming to the end of step three may seem trite. I've been here many times only to be stressed out again five minutes later. You may need to repeat steps one through three over and over and over again. This is so important to God. He wants us to constantly invite Him in. He wants us to choose to trust, because going through trials together strengthens our relationship with Him.

Step Four - CELEBRATE

Everything in the Christian life is leading towards one amazing, eternal celebration - unreserved, unashamed, wholehearted. Today you can practice for tomorrow.

Let it out! Sing! Dance! Praise! Testify! Allowing your whole being to experience what you know to be true nourishes your soul. It becomes a picture in your heart that is stored in the scrapbook of your mind. God is Good...ALL THE TIME!