Lately, I’ve noticed that when I feel stressed or overwhelmed—whether at work or in life in general—my go-to coping mechanism has become grabbing a couple of pieces of chocolate (okay, sometimes a little more than just a couple). Normally, I’m pretty disciplined with my nutrition, following a ketogenic eating plan that prioritizes fats and proteins while limiting carbohydrates. I’m also well aware of the addictive nature of sugar, and over the past several years, I’ve worked hard to cut out added sugars altogether.

What has been disconcerting, and honestly, a bit disappointing and frustrating, is not just giving in to the sugar cravings, but also not applying a more disciplined approach when stress hits.

There are countless mental, physical, and emotional “hacks” for managing stress—from breathing exercises and mentally reframing a situation, to journaling and more. But perhaps even more important is how we address stress from a spiritual perspective. Prayer, meditating on God’s Word, and recognizing that anxiety, worry, and stress often stem from a lack of trust in the Lord.

Psalm 37 offers a powerful antidote to worry and stress. In verses 3-8, we’re instructed to:

• Trust in the Lord
• Delight ourselves in the Lord
• Commit our way to the Lord
• Rest in the Lord

The temporary satisfaction of chocolate might soothe you for a moment, but I encourage you to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” There’s a deeper peace that surpasses anything this world can offer.

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