Neal Pollard
Christ was busy while on earth, even to the point of depriving Himself (Mat. 8:20). He lost friends and followers (John 6:66-67; Mat. 26:31). He was constantly hounded and threatened (Mat. 22:15; John 5:18). He was rejected by family and neighbors (Mark 6:4-5). Jesus knew something about stress.
Luke four records the stressors that came with the beginning of His public ministry. News about Him spread all over the place (14). He taught with authority and was praised by all (15). People spoke well of this powerful preacher (22). His teaching brought angry opposition and an assassination attempt (28-30)! Then He came to Capernaum, teaching (31), exorcising (35), and healing (39).
Luke four summarizes what life must have been like for Jesus. He was tending to many people’s needs (40), facing people making demands on His time (42), and enduring people trying to interfere with His schedule (42). To a degree, we can relate with the same issues today–people need us, drain our time, and interfere with our schedule. All of this creates stress. So, how did Jesus cope with this?
HE TOOK TIME TO HELP EVERYONE (40). That may not sound stress relieving, but it was. He came to serve (Mat. 20:28). Rather than fret, wring His hands, or succumb to feelings of being overwhelmed, Jesus put His nose to the grindstone. He expended His energy to help “each one of them.”
Sometimes, we compound our pressures not by doing something about them but by wasting time worrying over them. Such an exercise can quickly turn into self-pity. Give yourself wholeheartedly to your tasks and you will find it fulfilling and even therapeutic.
HE TOOK TIME FOR SOLITUDE AND PRAYER (42; Mark 1:35). Jesus knew the value of taking a break. He got away from the crowds, the work, the requests, and the problems. In His humanity Jesus had to have been emotionally drained and physically exhausted. To keep up the most productive life ever lived, Jesus needed retreat. Notice how He spent that “down time,” in solitude and supplication!
Idleness is not a viable stress reducer. On the other hand, solitary meditation and devotion are key to winning over stress. Communicating with God can calm the most raging sea in the vast ocean of the mind. It reinforces one for the new stress that inevitably comes.
HE WOULD NOT BE DISTRACTED OR DETERRED FROM HIS PURPOSE (43). When He reconnected with public life, the demands continued. But, Jesus never lost sight of the bigger picture. His life was not solely about helping the needy folks in that one place. It encompassed infinitely more. He helped these folks, but He needed to go further.
Most of us face circular and cyclical tasks, responsibilities and routines that are repeated on a regular basis. Even in that repetitious work, we can be distracted from the big picture by bogging down in the details. We can consume all our energy putting out little fires while our purpose and opportunities go up in smoke. We must stay focused on why we are here (Ecc. 12:13), letting that impact every area of our lives.
HE RESUMED HIS TASKS (44). Jesus kept on preaching in the country of the Jews (44). He kept on doing what He was here to do.
It can seem impossible to get everything done, but determination and organization can help us do great, multiplied good. Jesus “kept on” doing what He was here to do. That will help you, when life casts long shadows over you. Just keep going! At the end of the day, you will feel satisfaction for a job well done!
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
You have no idea how perfect your timing has been in posting this effort. Thank you.
Keep on keeping on.
Thanks, Nathan. Happy stress-free operating for the rest of the day!
Thanks Neal, that is great advice for the busy preaching student.