Reducing Stress Through Increasing Support

From Decrease to Increas

It seems that in recent years, many people have been focused on strategies to better their overall health. This, of course, is a good step for many people to take. However, one aspect of this that I have noticed is a focus on decreasing stress. This, too, is a wise thing to note and pursue.

Through conversations with many people seeking to better their health, a common frustration people express is knowing that decreasing overall stress on the body is a good thing, but really struggling to find a way to do this, given the world that we all live in. In fact, many people share with me that attempting to decrease stress is another stressor that they experience.

I have reflected on this for some time and have wondered if shifting our focus away from decreasing stress and toward increasing support would be a more beneficial approach. When reading the Bible, in particular, passages that traditionally have served as comfort during stressful times, the focus is on increasing support, not decreasing stress.

One of the most beloved and classic scriptural passages that Christians turn to in times of difficulty is Psalm 23. Here we find tested and true ways to work toward increasing support during times of increased stress.

Trust in the presence of Jesus

The first verse of Psalm 23 reads: “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I lack.” David wrote this Psalm, and as you may know, David was a shepherd for his father, Jesse. Shepherds were men who would protect their sheep from predators and would guide them to safety. They were rough men who were used to danger and would put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of their sheep.

When David calls the Lord his shepherd, we can read this as David’s knowledge that God will defend His people in stressful times. Whatever stress that one is experiencing, Jesus is there with us. In times of stress, it can be helpful to remember that the Lord does not promise to take difficulties away, but He does tell us that He will be there with us.

From a psychological perspective, it can be helpful to reset expectations when going through a difficult or particularly stressful time. Letting go of the expectation of avoiding difficulty or stress can allow us to seek the support and help that we need to get through it. Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd in the gospels. Jesus tells us that He will be with us during the stress of life, not that He will take it away.

Consume good things

Verse 2 reads: “In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength.” Sheep grazing in green pastures recalls sheep consuming something good and satisfying. There are many ways that we, as humans, consume. We consume media through our ears and eyes. We consume food. We consume something that is difficult to put into words when we are around other people. We are constantly consuming.

What we can glean from this second verse of Psalm 23 is that the Lord restores our strength through leading us to consume that which is good. One way to guide us as we consider how to increase our support in this way is to ask ourselves what and who fill us with goodness and strengthen our relationship with God. These are the people, places, and things that we would do well to pursue.

These are the green pastures and still waters that the Lord has placed in our lives. It is commonly understood that being out in God’s creation can boost one’s mood, increase creativity, and lead to joy and optimism. Being out in creation is a place that can help support our bodies, minds, and hearts. Something as simple as going for a walk outside for five minutes or going to a park and just sitting outside can provide calm and restoration.

It is best to find people in your life who encourage you and bring about renewed hope. For some, this encouragement can be found in books and writings by those who communicate truth and hope.

Intentionally decide who you follow

The third verse of Psalm 23 reads: “You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.” One of my sisters owns several sheep. She has often described to me how observing them provides insight, knowing how often Jesus described humanity as sheep. Sheep have a strong instinct to follow without much discernment or discretion. This means that they simply follow, no matter who or what is leading them.

In the age of social media influencers and ready accessibility to whoever you want to listen to, whenever you want to listen, you are pulled in many directions. Much like sheep, we have an instinct and desire to follow.

One way to increase our support in a world saturated with stress is to decide whom we will listen to and when. This means being intentional about how often and how long we expose ourselves to any form of media. This is not a normal thing for us to do in our culture, but it is crucial for increasing the support that we need in life.

It would serve us best to be guided along the right path, not just any path. Another important way to allow the Lord to guide us along the right path is to have trusted believers that we can speak to when working through challenges or questions. Having conversations and discussions with others relieves stress when it is done in a caring and loving way.

Deepen your relationship with God and reject sin

The fourth verse of Psalm 23 reads: “Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.” A shepherd’s rod is used to defend sheep from predators.

Our predator is the kingdom of darkness that harms us by luring us with sin. One way to read this verse is to reflect on how tempting sin becomes, especially when we are in a state of stress. Addictive and avoidant tendencies become stronger and more alluring when our stress levels rise.

Christians can take courage through our relationship with God. Deepening our relationship with God while avoiding sinful choices that lead us away from God can give us the courage that we need to walk through dark valleys. For us to know that God is at our side, we need to be able to recognize Him.

This reminds me of chapter 14, in the gospel of Matthew, when Jesus’ apostles were in a boat and terrified because the waves and storm were putting them in danger. They did not recognize Jesus at first. Jesus says to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

When we can recognize Jesus in our lives, we are filled with courage, even during times of stress and difficulty. This is why it can be so beneficial to be working toward a deeper relationship with God, so that we can recognize Him during those stressful times in our lives.

Recognize and give thanks for blessings

The final verse of Psalm 23 reads: “Surely goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” I find it fascinating that David writes about goodness and kindness following him. He could say that he will always experience goodness and kindness, but he doesn’t; he says, “follow.”

Often, it is only in thinking back and remembering that we recognize the blessings that were poured out on us in our most stressful moments. Even Jesus, the night before his death, commands his disciples to “do this in memory of me.” This required remembering that fateful time in their life.

Similarly, God prepared the Israelites for their flight from Egypt, commanding them to remember that night through re-enacting the events of the flight from Egypt through the feast of the Passover.

From a psychological perspective, acknowledging the good things and people in life can provide hope and motivation. For Christians, this means giving thanks to God for all His blessings. It can allow us to recognize how the blessings of God have truly followed us through life, especially during stress.

In a culture often committed to reducing stress, it may be more beneficial to focus on increasing support in our lives. Psalm 23 helps us understand what this might look like for us, as Christians. Trusting in the presence of Jesus, consumption of good things, intentionally deciding who you follow, deepening your relationship with God, rejecting sin, and giving thanks for blessings are all good ways to increase support for ourselves during stress.