Stress is on the rise in today’s world. The good news is that although Christians may be in the world, according to the words of Jesus recorded in John 17:16, we are not of the world! We don’t have to operate in the world’s system—thinking, talking, or acting like the world—and we shouldn’t! In fact, our attitude and approach toward situations should be entirely different from the world’s.

The source of our stress isn’t really difficulties, circumstances and situations. It’s our attitude and approach toward them. The world (unbelievers) responds to difficulties with upset, but Jesus said in John 14:27 to …stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed…. He never promised that we wouldn’t have to deal with anything disturbing or disappointing.

In John 16:33, Jesus said, …In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] Jesus said difficulties would come our way, but they don’t have to upset us. We don’t have to accept the stress being offered. We have the privilege of approaching the challenge in a calm, peaceful manner.