What We Can Learn from How Jesus Handled Stress

Consider the stresses of last week of Jesus’ life.

With determination, he  proceeded through each day’s stressful events, knowing what was ahead of him.

On Sunday, he felt the excitement of the crowds shouting “Hosanna!”

The eager crowd praised and welcomed him as a king. I wonder—did Jesus smile at the children, or was sadness in his eyes because the journey to the cross before him?

The next day, Jesus displayed holy anger as he overturned the tables, cleansing the temple. Where were the praises he heard hours before? The civil leaders questioned his authority as he continued powerful teaching. He spoke in parables, but also revealed the greatest commandment.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

Jesus lived the commandment of love whole heartedly, loving his Father-God and loving all humanity to the point of sacrificial death.

The plan for our redemption unfolded as leaders plotted against Jesus and stress increased.

He lived in the will of God, through the emotional weight of the Garden of Gethsemane—sorrowful, troubled, overwhelmed to the point of death. Burdened for our sin. Disappointed with his close friends for sleeping in his time of need. Deserted.

Jesus wrestled in prayer. The inner conflict resolved to surrendering to the Father’s will, leading to the cross.

Contemplate the faces of Jesus we see in this experience:

A child: scared, crying out “Daddy, Abba…”

A human man: feeling the terror of the future, pleading for another way.

An obedient Son: drawing from deep within to say “Your will be done, Father.”

A fountainhead of love: looking into Father’s eyes, and finding the energy to obey. ~ Tricia McCary Rhodes, Contemplating the Cross

Our Savior identified with stress and handled it with grace.

He showed us how to cry to out to God when life overwhelms us, demonstrating the wrestling of surrender. He continually looked to the heavenly Father with determination.

Hebrews 4:15 states how he identified with us in struggles.

 

The ultimate stress of the brutal crucifixion brought about our redemption, so that we might have relationship with God.

Stresses are a part of life.

When we face overwhelming circumstances, we can look to the Savior to see how he handled stress:

[bctt tweet=”Jesus prayed, trusting our heavenly Father. He didn’t complain with bitterness, but acted in love.” username=”NancyKayGrace”]

The next time I think I can’t handle the pressures of life, I want to remember how Jesus faced the last week of his life.

Will you join me?