Are you burdened with stress in your life? Jesus will help you make changes to experience a better life. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus promises rest for those who come to Him, assuring that life in a relationship with Him can be easy despite the hardships you face. That’s because Jesus will carry our burdens, empower us, and give us the peace we need as we trust Him day by day. Here are some things you can change to make your life better.
Swap out your worries for prayers.
We can’t stop worries from entering our minds, but when they do, we can choose to release them into God’s care by praying about them. Don’t let your worries grow into anxiety that makes your life challenging. Instead of dwelling on your worries, ask God to help with the specific situation as soon as you realize you’re starting to worry. Make a habit of quickly turning your worries into prayers throughout the day and clear worries out of your mind as often as you can by asking God to help.
Philippians 4:6-7 shares that when we pray, God gives us powerful peace. It tells us to present our requests to God and not to be anxious about anything. Through prayer, we invite God to work in every situation that concerns us. God can do so much more than we can in all circumstances. So, why waste energy and time worrying when we can welcome God’s limitless power into worrisome situations? Consistently turning worries into prayers will cultivate our faith in God and foster a more profound relationship with Him as our loving heavenly Father.
Focus on the positive, not the negative.
Life is challenging when you hold onto negativity, but it’s easier when you pay attention to what’s positive. Ephesians 4:31 says we should let go of negativity. Releasing the negative messages you encounter frees you up to experience God’s well-being that He intended for you. In John 10:10, Jesus reveals that He wants us to have a full life. A full life is free of negativity’s burdens and full of the positive blessings God wants to give. By anchoring your thoughts in the positivity of God’s truth and letting go of negativity, you can experience the peace that comes with trusting God.
Isaiah 26:3 says those with steadfast minds will keep perfect peace because they trust in God, and Philippians 4:8 reminds us what we should focus on. Focusing on positive thoughts renews your perspective so you can see life’s opportunities and challenges in light of God’s love. Ask the Holy Spirit to deliver you from evil, renew your mind, and help you heal from the pain that’s caused negativity in your life. Moving forward, focus on God’s purpose for you and expect the best as you follow where God leads you. You’ll face challenges, but you’ll be able to notice God in you in challenging circumstances so you can find joy no matter what. Try to pursue joy instead of mere happiness so you can experience authentic positivity.
Embrace forgiveness.
Don’t get weighed down by bitterness or shame. By forgiving others as God forgives you and accepting His forgiveness, you can enjoy the freedom of living in God’s grace. Regularly confess your sins to God, repent by turning away from them, and accept God’s forgiveness. Confidently move forward, trusting that God doesn’t condemn you. Romans 8:1 says there’s no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Get rid of any grudges you may be holding against others who have hurt you. You can trust that God will bring justice to any unjust situation, so you don’t need to carry the burden of trying to do so yourself.
Romans 12:19 tells us not to take revenge but to leave room for God’s wrath. Break free from the toxins of bitterness and let God handle other people’s sins. Forgiving others and seeking forgiveness brings profound healing from pain and allows you to experience the peace and wholeness that come from being reconciled with God.
Be free when speaking to God.
Speaking with God should be a source of joy, so allow yourself the freedom to communicate with God however you see fit. God is always available to us, no matter how we communicate with Him. We don’t need to worry about following any specific guidelines or rules for meditation and prayer. In 2 Corinthians 3:17, the Bible reveals that freedom is where the Spirit of the Lord is,” meaning that you can approach God freely without any limitations. Hebrews 4:16 reminds us that we can approach God’s throne confidently so we can receive mercy and find grace to help us when we need it. We can come to God confidently with our requests, knowing that He’s gracious and merciful so that He’ll help us.
We can feel free to check in with God for a few moments, even if we don’t have a lot of time. We can connect with Him anywhere, even in a busy or noisy place. Use any meditation or prayer method that helps you connect with God, but don’t feel obligated to use a particular method. You don’t have to use formal language when you pray, close your eyes, or sit while you meditate. If a particular method feels like a chore, let it go. Speaking with God can happen in unlimited ways.
For example, you can quietly chat with God in your mind, shout out your prayers, or get creative and express yourself through drawing, singing, writing, or dancing. You can listen to the Holy Spirit in meditation no matter what you’re doing. There’s no right or wrong way to speak with God. What’s more important is to be honest and open with God and listen for His voice. When you communicate with God in a way that feels authentic and natural to you, you can experience the wonder of His presence and the joy of His love.
Life is stressful, but if you make fundamental lifestyle changes in a relationship with Jesus, you can find the strength to experience a better life that’s easier to manage. Let go of your worries and pray about your concerns. Get rid of the negativity that weighs you down and focus on the positives of your life, like the joy of God’s constant presence with you.
