Managing Stress Like Jesus: Take Time to Recharge

by Rick Warren — November 13, 2018

“Crowds of people were coming and going so that Jesus and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves, and we will go to a lonely place to get some rest’” (Mark 6:31 NCV).

When we think about Jesus, we tend to think about the miracles. We think about him teaching thousands. We think about him dying for our sins—and rising from the dead on the first Easter morning.

But we don’t usually think about Jesus relaxing.

That’s too bad because it’s one of the reasons Jesus was able to live stress-free despite all the demands upon his life.

Over the last few days, I’ve been sharing with you principles of how Jesus managed stress. The first six were:

  1. Identification: Know who you are
  2. Motivation: Know whose approval you are living for
  3. Vocation: Know your calling
  4. Concentration: Focus on what matters most
  5. Meditation: Listen to God
  6. Collaboration: Join a small group

The seventh and final one is the Principle of Recreation.

Even though Jesus had more important work to do than we do, he still took time to relax, go to parties, and just have fun.

The Bible says, “Crowds of people were coming and going so that Jesus and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves, and we will go to a lonely place to get some rest’” (Mark 6:31 NCV).

In Mark 6, Jesus and the disciples didn’t even have time to eat because they were so busy. But Jesus looks at his small group and says, “Guys, you deserve a break today. So let’s get away.”

If Jesus can rest and relax, so can we.

In fact, God thought rest and relaxation was so important he put it in the Ten Commandments. Right along with commands to not murder, commit adultery, or steal, God tells us to take one out of every seven days to worship and rest.

If you’re too busy to take time off, you’re simply too busy—and likely too stressed.

Talk It Over

  • Do you find it most difficult to relax for an hour every day, a day every week, or a week every year? Why?
  • What’s the biggest excuse you use for not getting enough rest and relaxation?
  • What’s one thing you can stop doing today so you get more time for rest?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.