Does the Bible say anything about stress?

from the old testament

• Sometimes stress comes from our trying to be in control of our lives. Rather than grasp for control and be consumed with stress as a result, we are called to: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones" (Proverbs 3:5–8).

from the new testament

• In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed anxiety. Much of what He said applies to what we would term stress. He told us not to be anxious about our lives because He will provide for us. Instead, we are to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:25–34).
• Jesus does not say there won't be stress in our lives, but He gives us strategies on how to deal with stress. They include trusting in the Father, seeking His focus, and avoiding looking too far into the future and worrying about it. We aren't to concern ourselves so much with earthly things, but rather to look to God first, making His priorities our priorities and resting in His care (Colossians 3:1–4; 1 Peter 5:7).
• When stressed, we should remind ourselves of the truth of who God is and how He cares for us. Here are some things we can remind ourselves: God cares about us and is actively working for our good (Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1). We know that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26–27). We, too, should go to God in prayer, as He encourages us to (Psalm 62; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; Philippians 4:6–7).
• In the model prayer Jesus gave us, what we call the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus covers most everything we could be stressed about—and gives us this prayer to wield against those stressors (Matthew 6:8–13).
• Jesus also provides for us a model of wrestling with stress. Luke 22:44 says, "And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Jesus was clearly stressed, but this is what He prayed: "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done" (Luke 22:42; cf. Matthew 26:38–46). Jesus did not turn to Himself and His desires but turned to the Father and His will during this time of immense stress.
• Having an eternal perspective and security goes a long way in mitigating the stress we experience in our temporal world (John 14:1; 16:33; Philippians 3:20).
• When we surrender to God's plans for us, He will supply us what we need to see it through. When we rely upon Him in trust, He will provide healing and refreshment. When we have His perspective, we can experience joy in the midst of stress (James 1:2–4; Romans 5:1–5).
• Philippians 4:4–7 calls us to not be anxious but to come to God in prayer with thanksgiving, and He will give us peace to guard our hearts as go through stressful times. The passage then encourages us to focus on whatever is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Paul then says, "What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:9).

implications for today

When we are stressed, we go to God. We affirm the truths we know about Him, we share our concerns and desires, and we pray ultimately that His will be done. It is when we are trusting in God that we can find relief for our stress. Having a relationship with Jesus does not mean that we will avoid all stressful circumstances and people. It also doesn't mean we will automatically overcome stress or be unaffected by it. But it does allow us access to Jesus and His goodness and love and power and care. Hebrews 4:15–16 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." When we're stressed, we come to God, trusting that He knows us fully, loves us completely, and is able to handle whatever comes our way.

Many times stress is the result of trying to be in control of our own lives. We know from experience that we have much less control than we'd often like to believe. If we are in Christ, we also know that what is best is for God—not us—to be in control. He knows all things and His way is far better than ours (Ephesians 3:20–21; Isaiah 55:8–9).

Sometimes our stress is a result of our own behaviors or misplaced priorities. God can reveal this to us and help us see a way out. For example, if our stress is related to finances, God might reveal some better spending habits. He can help us sort through what things we need and where we might be spending frivolously. Or perhaps He will show us another source of income or way to help meet our family's needs. As another example, if we are stressed because we continually say "yes" to every ministry opportunity presented to us, God can help us see that not every opportunity is actually a calling from Him. He can remind us to seek His discernment before committing.