There are many great stress management techniques. Let’s focus on a few that Jesus used when He was in stressful situations. Jesus is our best example of how to manage stress.

He was honest about His feelings

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane,… and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ – Matthew 26:36-38

Sometimes we think that if we were really spiritual we wouldn’t be affected by stress. But look at Jesus.

  • What feelings do we see that He had in these verses?
  • What does that say to you?
  • Jesus was willing to express His feelings to those close to Him. Do you have anyone with whom you can share your struggles?

He identified the causes

Consider the following passages to see how Jesus faced His terrible stress situation and how He clearly identified its causes. Once again, Jesus is our example. Write what you learn from each.

  • Matthew 26:20-24: “And while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me. ’”
  • Matthew 26:38: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
  • Mark 14:27-30: “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered…. tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
  • Luke 22:37: “It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

He trusted the Father

One stress management technique that Jesus used was His trust in the Father. 1 Peter 2:23 says, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (New Living Translation)

Meditate on Isaiah 26:3-4. How can it help you today?

He relied on the Word

What can you learn for managing your own stress from Luke 22:37? “It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

How do you think the Word helped Jesus?

How does the Bible, and can it, help you in your stressful situations?

He prayed

Take some time to look at Matthew 26:36-44 and John 17 in your Bible to see how prayer helped Jesus.

Meditate on Philippians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation), “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

He leaned on His friends

How did Jesus’ relationships with other people help him to manage his stress? And what can you learn from Him?

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” – Matthew 26:37-38
You are those who have stood by me in my trials. – Luke 22:28

He rested

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. – Luke 8:22-23 NLT

Even with a storm coming, Jesus took time to rest. What can you learn from these verses?

He looked ahead with joy

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2

The Message translates Hebrews 12:2 this way—Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

He recognized spiritual warfare

Matthew 16:21-23—From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

We don’t often think of spiritual warfare as a stress management technique. What is the Lord showing you from these verses?

  • What can you learn from Jesus about how He managed His stress?
  • What can you apply today that will help you manage your stress?

Excerpted from All Stressed Up and Everywhere to Go! by Gaylyn and Ken Williams.