Stress and Anxiety

The Lord will keep me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed on Him and because I trust in Him. Isaiah 26:3

Introduction

• Life is busy—no doubt about it.
• We juggle responsibilities, expectations, and a never-ending list of tasks.
• But busyness isn’t the enemy—disorganization is.
• A simple to-do list can bring clarity, focus, and peace to your daily life.

Why Life Feels Overwhelming

• We wake up Monday morning already behind.
• Life demands more time than we seem to have.
• We carry stress home—affecting our families and our well-being.
• Technology has made things easier, but also more distracting.
• Jesus said, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2)—we feel that.

A To-Do List Can Change Everything

• Provides clarity—know what must be done and when.
• Reduces stress—frees up your mind from trying to remember everything.
• Prevents missed opportunities—nothing important falls through the cracks.
• Keeps you focused on priorities rather than distractions.

What a Good To-Do List Looks Like
✔ Simple—no over-complication.
✔ Planned—done before the week begins.
✔ Clear—each task is actionable and specific.
✔ Efficient—helps you work smarter, not just harder.
✔ Prioritized—important tasks come first.

How to Build an Effective To-Do List

1. Write It Down
   • A list only works if it’s written.
   • Your memory is not a strategy—put it on paper (or a digital document).
     
     
2. Plan Before the Week Begins
   • Don’t wait until Monday to figure out what needs to be done.
   • Set your weekly plan on Sunday afternoon or Friday before you wrap up your week.
     
     
3. Break It Down By Day
   • Large lists are overwhelming—divide tasks into manageable daily chunks.
   • Instead of staring at 70 tasks, focus on 10 things for today.
     
     
4. Prioritize the Big Tasks First
   • Start your day with the most important tasks, not the easiest ones.
   • Avoid getting bogged down with emails and busywork before tackling the big things.
     
     
5. Update Your List Throughout the Week
   • A to-do list is a living document—adjust as needed.
   • New assignments? Add them. Completed tasks? Cross them off.
     
     

Applying This System to Those You Lead

• Require a weekly to-do list from your team.
• Review their lists and provide feedback.
• Use weekly meetings to check progress.
• Require daily updates to keep things moving forward.
• End each week with a final check-in to assess what got done.
  
  

Time Management Tips to Maximize Your List

1. Don’t plan more than 80% of your day—leave margin for the unexpected.
2. Stack similar tasks together—batch phone calls, emails, or planning sessions.
3. Keep it simple—overcomplicated systems waste time.
4. Delegate whenever possible—not everything needs to be on your plate.
5. Use “anchors” in your week—set times for recurring tasks.
6. Acknowledge the spiritual struggle—time management is stewardship.
7. Keep a positive attitude—you can’t control everything, but you can control your mindset.
8. Don’t make it harder than it has to be—use tools that work, not ones that complicate.

Closing Thoughts

• Life is busy, but that’s not a bad thing—it means we’re engaged in the Great Commission.
• A to-do list is not just a productivity tool—it’s a stewardship tool.
• When we manage our time well, we honor God, bless our families, and lead effectively.
• Start today—make your list, work your plan, and watch how God uses your efforts!

You ever feel like the weight of life is just… a lot? Not one big thing—just everything, all the time. Deadlines. Kids. Bills. Expectations. That subtle pressure to keep it all together, even when you’re falling apart inside. Let’s talk about that. Because God never meant for you to carry all that alone.

When Survival Mode Becomes Normal
Fight or flight—that's how God wired us to respond in danger. Heart racing. Muscles tensed. Adrenaline pumping. That’s good if you’re being chased by a bear. Not so good if you’re living like that every single day. Chronic stress breaks down your body—memory, sleep, digestion, your emotional health—it all suffers. But here's the kicker: most of the time, it’s not the work that’s killing us. It’s the pressure.

Work Isn’t the Problem
Work isn’t a curse—it’s part of our original design. “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) Work was God’s idea. It’s good. But thanks to sin, work now comes with sweat, struggle, and stress. Still God never told us to stop working. He told us to put work in its proper place. Six days of labor. One day of rest. Why? Because that's His rhythm. And you were made in His image. (Genesis 1:26) When we ignore His rhythm, we wear ourselves out. When we honor it, we find strength.

Work Hard, Not Frantic
Here’s where the pressure creeps in: We stop working for God… and start performing for people. Trying to impress. Trying to prove. Trying to earn our worth. But hear this: Your value doesn’t come from your performance. It comes from your position—as a son or daughter of God. “Without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6) He’s not looking for perfection. He’s looking for trust.

Counter Stress With Rest
You can’t run on fumes forever. Even Jesus took naps. (Mark 4:38) Psalm 127:2 says: “In vain you rise early and stay up late… for He gives sleep to His beloved.” Sleep isn’t weakness. It’s worship. Rest is how we say, “God, I trust You to run the world while I lay down tonight.” But here’s the thing—not all rest is created equal.

Recreation vs. Escapism
Let’s be real: zoning out isn’t the same as being refreshed. Netflix binges. Endless scrolling. Gaming marathons. They promise escape… but rarely deliver peace. Real rest re-creates you. It energizes your soul, not just your body. Read something that makes you think. Plant something. Paint something. Have a face-to-face conversation over coffee. Do something that requires you to engage, not just consume. That’s recreation the kind that restores.

Do It All For His Glory
1 Corinthians 10:31 says: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” That includes your job. Your weekends. Your Monday mornings. Your Sunday naps. You were never meant to grind your way through life in survival mode. You were made to live, work, and rest with God at the center.

Cast the Weight
Feeling the pressure? Don’t carry it alone. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Whatever's on your shoulders right now—He can handle it.

“God is faithful… and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

So breathe.
Work like it’s for Him.
Come unto Him for rest.
And walk like you’re free.
Because in Jesus… you are.

Let me just say it plain: some days, the pressure is real.

You know what I mean. You wake up tired, already behind. The kids need rides. Work’s got a million deadlines. The house is a mess. And somewhere in the background, there’s that low hum of anxiety—you can’t quite name it, but it’s there.

It’s like you’re carrying something heavy, but it’s invisible. You can still laugh, still get things done, still show up—but inside, there’s a tension that doesn’t go away.

And if that’s you, I just want to say… you’re not broken. You’re human. And you’re not alone.

Here’s what I’ve been learning in the middle of my own anxious moments:

1. Anxiety isn’t failure—it’s a signal.

It’s not a character flaw. It’s your soul’s way of saying, “Hey… something’s off.”

Maybe you’ve been doing too much. Maybe you’ve been holding in too much. Or maybe you’ve just been trying to carry stuff that only God is built to carry.

Whatever the case, anxiety isn’t a verdict—it’s an invitation. An invitation to pause. To listen. To ask better questions.

What is this stress trying to tell me?
What part of my life is out of rhythm?
What am I trying to control that I need to surrender?

2. Jesus felt pressure too.

We don’t talk about this enough, but Jesus—yes, Jesus—had anxious moments.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed under so much pressure, the Bible says He sweat drops of blood. That wasn’t weakness. That was real emotion, real stress, and a real burden.

But here’s the thing: He didn’t hide it. He brought it to the Father.

So let me just say this—you’re not “less spiritual” because you feel overwhelmed. You’re not failing at faith because you’re having a hard time. You’re just being honest. And that’s where breakthrough begins.

3. You were never meant to do this alone.

Even Jesus brought His closest friends with Him in the garden.

Who’s in your circle? Who do you call when the anxiety hits hard?
If the answer is “no one,” then it’s time to change that.

You need people who don’t just say, “I’ll pray for you,” but actually do it.
You need friends who won’t give you shallow answers, but will listen, speak truth, and remind you who you are.

And if you don’t have that yet—start showing up. Join a group. Text someone today. Healing rarely happens in isolation.

4. The Bible isn’t just a book—it’s a weapon.

When your thoughts start spiraling, when your peace starts slipping, you need something stronger than your own logic.

You need truth that fights back.

The Psalmist said it like this:

“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)

That verse is a lifeline. And so are these:

• “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
• “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
• “Don’t worry about anything… pray about everything.” (Philippians 4:6)

Don’t just read them—say them. Speak them over your day. Pray them out loud. Let them rewire your mind and reset your soul.

One Last Thought…

You’re not crazy. You’re not weak. And you’re not stuck.

Anxiety doesn’t get the final word. Jesus does.

And the more I learn to bring my burdens to Him, the more I find that peace isn’t always the absence of problems—it’s the presence of a Person.

So take a deep breath. Slow down for a moment. Whisper His name.

He’s already near.