HANDLE YOUR STRESS

1 Peter 2:21-24
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

Jesus is the example of how we are to handle stress. First, He suffered sinlessly; His pain was not a consequence of His own sin but of the sins of others. Second, He suffered silently; instead of shouting threats of vindication or retaliation, He entrusted Himself to His Father’s will. Third, He suffered as a substitute; His grief was redemptive and brought great benefit to others.

In these verses we observe Christ’s response to stress and suffering. They give us a model to emulate. Handle your stress ... sinlessly … silently … sacrificially.