Even Christians struggle with stress.

A relationship with Jesus Christ does not entitle one to a "get out of stress free" card. In fact, when you follow Christ your life may become even more stressful, because you now have an enemy who will do everything within his power to make your life miserable. (Read "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis)

Which raises the question: How does/should a believer handle stress? Here are some thoughts.

1. Pray; earnestly, honestly, and sincerely. Prayer is how we give to God the things that are stressing us. There is a sense of release and relief by simply being honest to God. And rest assured he already knows your struggles. In fact, He has even allowed them to exist, for purposes you may never know. As we pray, however, we're given a glimpse of God's perspective on our troubles, and we're reminded that we're His precious child, for whom Christ died. Remember, too, that he promises to never leave us nor forsake us. I love the song "He Will Carry You," by Scott Wesley Brown. The chorus says, "If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders, I know, my brother, that He will carry you."

2. Share your burden w/a trusted believer, or a few of them, that you know will pray for you. Someone has said that a burden shared is a burden halved. God has created us as a family, and He wants us to support, encourage, and edify one another.

3. Remember that God will use your struggles for His purposes. He won't let any of your experience go to waste. He will help you through this time, then show you how you can bless, encourage and strengthen someone else who needs to hear your story of how He brought you through. (See 2Corinthians 1)