April 20, 2026
Find Some Rest From Your Stress Today
MEGHAN MELLINGER
Lee en español
“They will be like a tree planted by the water…” Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)
On a scale of “peaceful spring meadow” to “roaring dumpster fire,” how are your current stress levels?
I’m definitely somewhere in the middle, fueled by anxiety and too much caffeine. I haven’t exercised or even looked at a vegetable in weeks.
Call it control issues, perfectionism, hustle culture, or fill in the blank with other life pressures … but my body, mind, and spirit are waving plenty of red flags. I need to pause. Breathe. Reset. Find calm in the middle of the storm.
I need to find some rest from my stress today.
Or as Jeremiah 17:8 says, I need to “be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
So how do we become like trees by a river, even when we’re feeling a little shriveled and brown? By tending to our health holistically in at least three areas:
- Spiritual health.
Our spirits are nourished by God’s Spirit. We can connect to Him through spiritual practices like turning off our phones to sit in silence and solitude; laying down our to-do lists for a day of Sabbath; soaking up Scripture; and talking to our loving, accessible God through prayer.
Not sure what to pray? Try T.A.C.O.S. — thanksgiving, adoration, confession, others, and self. Tell God what you’re grateful for, praise Him for His character, confess your sins and struggles, pray for others in your life and world, and lift up your personal requests.
- Physical health.
My body is always the first thing I neglect in times of stress. But 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says our bodies are God’s temple, and we’re called to be good stewards. That might mean swapping Netflix for a walk, doing some de-stressing exercises, or practicing breathing techniques. Let’s choose nourishment over neglect.
- Mental health.
What we tell ourselves in times of stress makes the difference between thriving and just surviving. So let’s get curious about what we’re thinking. Whether it’s journaling or verbally processing with a friend, consider a habit of “daily debriefing” as you ask yourself:
What untrue thoughts were loudest in my mind today?
What truths from God counter those thoughts?
What are my most dominant emotions today?
What are the roots of those emotions?
What can I let go of before I sleep?
What promise from God can I rest in tonight?
Today let’s rest from our stress and take care of ourselves in spirit, body, and mind. It’ll make the difference between feeling like a shriveled-up shrub or a tree God has planted by a river.
Jesus, thank You for creating our spirits, bodies, and minds. Help us to tend to our holistic health so we can be like trees planted by a river that don’t wither in times of stress. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Some days it feels like life is asking more of you than you have to give. You’re trying to stay steady, trying to trust God, trying to keep moving forward — but underneath it all, you feel like you’re falling apart. That’s exactly why we’re excited to announce our newest study in the First 5 app, Mark: Trusting King Jesus as the One Who Sees You, Saves You, and Never Lets Go. In this study, you’ll encounter Jesus in real moments with real people — stepping into pain, uncertainty, and need with compassion, power, and purpose. And as you walk through Mark, you’ll be reminded of something your heart may desperately need to hear: You don’t have to hold everything together — because the King holds you. If you’d like to go deeper as we study together, you can get the Mark study guide now in the Proverbs 31 Bookstore, which includes expanded teaching, reflection questions, and guided prayer to help you process what God is teaching you. We can’t wait to open God’s Word with you!
ENGAGE
Find out more about Meghan Mellinger here!
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV).
God says we have a choice: to hold on to our stress and anxiety or trade it for His peace. All we have to do is talk to Him — pray. What do you need to surrender, petition for, and thank God for today? We’d love to pray with you in the comments!
© 2026 by Meghan Mellinger. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
