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(presented by Lauren Stibgen)
As I sit here, I must admit I have the Sunday Scaries. Those thoughts leading into a new work week, wondering how Monday will launch. Even if you don’t work a traditional Monday-Friday, I am sure you know the feeling. Even if you find yourself in a season where you are between jobs, stress can steal your peace.
The stress we experience as working women is arguably only sometimes about work. Some of us are the main breadwinner, perhaps facing single motherhood, illness of a spouse or loved one, needs for childcare, needs to care for an aging parent, or even mounting household issues. The truth is, we carry all this around, on top of the to do list we face waking up to another Monday.
Jesus knew what we faced in the world. He even acknowledges this in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you.” Not as the world—if our Lord Jesus is telling us the world will not bring peace, we should not expect it but for in seeking him.
The good news is that Jesus tells us to come to him and rest (Matthew 11:28). I have found that one of the best ways to do that is through prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Scripture shows us that some many of those closest to the Lord cried out to him in distress. David cries out to the Lord, Job in his distress is in constant prayer, and perhaps our greatest example of crying out to the Lord is Jesus himself. When the mighty didn’t have peace, they cried to the Lord for comfort.
