Stress can be brutal.  Worry can be debilitating.  Neither is from God.  I was reading in John 14 where Christ is telling His followers that He will be crucified.  This is not good news; and they really don't want to hear of it.  But He is giving them fair warning about what is going to happen.  He doesn't want them to feel confused or surprised or abandoned.  And so Jesus says, "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught."

Guys, I'm going to be leaving you...but don't worry...my "parting gift" to you is PEACE.  You will feel peace because you will not be alone.  I will continue to be with you.  I know you're used to having people leave you for good, but when I leave it will only be temporary and in a different form.  And so Christ is true to His word.  After they witnessed His arrest, torture, and crucifixion, the followers were frightened and locked themselves in a room.  The whole concept of "the parting gift of peace" seemed a million miles away.  It seemed like just a bunch of empty promises; like words spoken by someone who wanted to cheer them up...remote...impossible.  An angry mob had demanded the crucifixion of their leader and they wondered if they were next.  So they found themselves in this locked room, trembling. 

And then something remarkable happened.  Jesus (who had died) stood among them and said, "Peace to you." 
The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. "
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."

Peace to you!  No really, peace to you!  In case you didn't catch it the first two times, peace to you!  Christ wants us to understand this point.  He wants us to believe that it is possible.  Peace to you.  Peace to you.  Peace to you.  Said 3 times to His followers.  And He is saying it now.  Peace to you.  I am with you.  I have given you the Comforter...my parting gift.  Do not be afraid.  Be at peace.  Be of good cheer. 

Christ is truly the Prince of Peace.  Are you letting Him rule?  Are you letting His peace consume you?  What is causing stress, pressure, confusion?  Give it up.  Make it right.  Let it go.  Don't worry about what others will think.  Resist peer pressure.  Stop doing things that keep God at a distance.  Get involved.  Disengage with toxic people.  Do what you need to do in your life to make the promise of peace real.  Ask Christ to come into your life and make His gift of peace a living and active thing.

Peace to you!
Derek