Managing Stress Like Jesus: Knowing Who I Am

In review of John 14:6 it says, “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (CSB).

Today’s verse come from John 14:1-14, where Jesus tells me that he is the way to the Father. Jesus tells me to not let my heart be troubled. Trust in God and trust in him as well. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for me. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going. Jesus tells me that he is the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through him. If I really known him, I would know who the Father is. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!. The words Jesus speaks are not his own, but his Father who lives and works in him. Believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Anyone who believes in me will do the same works he has done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. I can ask for anything in his name, and Jesus will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

Jesus tells me that the way to eternal life, though unseen, is secure, as secure as my trust in Jesus. He has already prepared the way to eternal life. The only issue is my willingness to believe. I can look forward to eternal life because Jesus has promised it to me when I believe in him. He tells me that He is going to prepare a place for me, and that he will come and get me. Although I may not know the details of eternity, I need not fear because Jesus is preparing for me and will spend eternity with me.

Jesus tells me that he is the only way to God. Jesus is the way because he is both God and man. By uniting my life with his, I am united with the Father. Many would like to argue that this way is too narrow. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds, we should be saying, "Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to him!

As the way, Jesus is my path to the Father. As the truth, he is the reality of all God's promises. As the life, he joins his divine life to mine, both now and eternally. Jesus is, in truth, the only living way to the Father. Jesus is the visible, tangible image of the invisible God. He is the complete revelation of what God is like.

When Jesus says I can ask for anything, I must remember that my asking must be in his name, this is, according to God's character and will. God will not grant requests that are contrary to his nature or his will, and I cannot use his name as a magic formula to fulfill my selfish desires. If I sincerely follow God and seek to do his will, then my request will be in line with what he wants and he will grant them.

If I don’t know who I am, I’ll find all sorts of people who are more than happy to tell me. Not knowing I am, and letting everyone else mold me into their image, is a leading cause of stress for people today.

Jesus gives me another model. He shows me the principle of identification, which is the first principle of stress management from the life of Jesus.

Jesus had no doubt as to his identity. In fact, he defines himself with “I am” statements 18 times in the Bible. He does this every time he says “I am . . .” and then declares key truths.

Jesus says: “I am the truth. I am the way. I am the life. I am the Son of God. I am sent from my Father above. I am the door. I am the bread of life. I am the living water.”

Jesus knew exactly who he was. And I need to know exactly who I am, who God created me to be.

If I don’t know my identity, I’ll depend too much on what other people say about me.

Stress happens when I try to be something I’m not. We all start off as originals, but too often we end up as carbon copies of somebody else, because we don’t know who we are. When I learn who I am, I’m less dependent upon the approval of others and more stress-resistant.

In John 14:6, we read this: “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (CSB). Jesus didn’t need anyone else’s opinions to prop him up. Neither do I.

Bottom Line:

Jesus tells us that, “He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through him.

What this means to me:

I believe what Jesus tells me, that he is the way, the truth, the life. Without him, no one can get to the Father.

In summary, I'm to not let my heart be troubled. Trust in God and trust in Jesus. He has made room for me and when everything is ready, he will come and get me. Jesus tells me that he is the way, the truth and they life. He is the only path to the Father. When I put my trust in him, I can ask for anything in his name, and he will do it. My asking however must be according to God's character and will. I cannot use Jesus name as a magical formula to fulfill my selfish desires. The first principle of stress management from Jesus is the principle of identification. I need to know exactly who I am, and who God created me to be. Stress will occur when I try to be something I'm not.

Today Father I pray for you to help me identify who I really am and live accordingly, not following the mold of someone else. Father I also ask for your continued wisdom and guidance in the activities I do today and plan for the future. Help me to think clearly, lead and interact well with others. In Jesus name I pray, amen!