Stressed out?

"I need that report on my desk first thing Monday morning." "Don't forget, your papers are due tomorrow." "Mommy, I told the teacher I'd bring cookies for the whole class tomorrow morning."

Who hasn't heard a variation on one of those phrases and felt their heart sink under the weight of new pressures, expectations, and stress? Life is full of pressures and worries, with our families, marriages, and finances -- and when the burden of workplace deadlines, school due dates, and other responsibilities is added to that load, even the toughest of us will sometimes wonder how on earth we're going to make it through.

It's called stress, and the Bible has an antidote for it. Read through Psalm 46 and Matthew 11:28, where the Bible lays out the godly response to stress. It doesn't give us advice about how to better manage our time, balance our different responsibilities, or write that paper you've been putting off for weeks; it doesn't lecture us about the dangers of procrastination or reprimand us for biting off more than we can chew. Instead, it quietly reminds us that no matter how much stress and anxiety the world throws at us, there is one place where we can always find refuge when we're feeling overwhelmed.

That place is the refuge of God's love -- and from that vantage point, the cares and worries of our daily lives are always put in their proper perspective. If you're feeling stressed out and weary, unsure how you'll get through the latest crisis, take a moment to listen quietly to your Father's promise to you: "Come to me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."