Choose Rest... Not StressMatthew 11:28
It comes as no surprise to you that Christians are not free from the stress-mess. Ulcers, migraines, high blood pressure, strokes and even cancer are just some of the symptoms that we live in a very stressful world. The pharmaceutical companies are making a fortune off our stressful misfortune. For thousands of people, their primary concern is stress!
That is also true of Christians. There is always something to do in the service of the Lord. Sunday is often the busiest day of the week for me and some of you, as well. All of us have heard 'Christian' work-aholic say that they would "rather burn out for God than rust out!"
That may sound good initially, but let's contrast that with what Jesus said: Matthew 11:28 (NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I believe that following Jesus Christ should be the cure, not the cause for a stress-filled life!
The challenge is to choose rest over stress.
Some stress is healthy. For a person to build muscle in a workout they must exercise against a certain amount of stress. That is true in our lives spiritually as well.
John 16:33 (NIV) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." God allows stressful situations to strengthen us, not destroy us! Most of the time, stress is thought of in negative terms.
Webster: "a constraining force or influence...a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation."
Prolonged stress, or stress not adequately dealt with can be harmful. The physical dangers of stress. Researchers have found a direct connection between high cholesterol, high blood pressure and stress. High cholesterol is not just a matter of diet, but it is also a matter of stress!
We can handle short bursts of stress. The problem is prolonged stressful periods. Prolonged stress can affect our emotional well- being.
James 1:2-4 (NIV) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, {3} because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. {4} Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Count it all joy! Don't allow the stressful times to discourage us. The word used here for trials or temptations is the same word used in reference to firing a piece of pottery in the oven. The purpose is to strengthen it; not to break it! When the pottery comes out of the oven it has stood the test and was now ready for service. James tells us that God tests us to prepare us for service.
The solution to the stress-mess is two-fold: a.) Remove unnecessary stress. b.) Deal positively with unavoidable stress.
Causes Of Unnecessary Stress.
Lack of purpose.
Nothing is so stressful as not having or not knowing where we are going. Example: Getting lost in a strange area. Without it, we bring upon ourselves unnecessary stress.
Unrealistic goals.
Goals are important, but they must be realistic. To set goals that are unattainable, will bring on unnecessary stress. Ever hear someone say that they are more exhausted after they return from vacation than before they left? That is because many times we try to pack entirely too much into a two week period of time. Spiritual goals can also create stress for us if they are unrealistic.
Unresolved anger.
Anger is the negative emotion we feel when our expectations are not met. These unfulfilled expectations can range from a traffic light not changing quickly enough to our spouse not giving us the attention we feel we deserve. Anger is usually an indication that something else is wrong either in attitudes or relationships!
James 1:19 (NIV) "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,"
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV) "‘In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, {27} and do not give the devil a foothold."
Things...
Materialism is our attitude toward money and the things money can buy. Too often we are deceived into thinking that money or possessions can satisfy our needs.
Stress comes in two forms: In striving to get more money ... In striving to pay for the things we cannot afford.
Ecclesiastes 5:12 (NIV) "The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep."
Choosing Rest Over Stress
Our lives are defined by the attitude choices that we make. The challenge is to choose rest over stress. We need to gain God's perspective on problems.
James 1:2 (NIV) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,"
James is telling us that our first response to unavoidable stress should be joy. He is not talking about being silly. Not foolishness, such as "Oh, boy! another trial!" But calm assurance that God is in control of the situation. We can respond gracefully to the stressful situations that we encounter.
We need to live life in the present tense. The name that God gave Himself is the name "I AM". It is not 'I Was" so let's not live in the past with our failures and missed opportunities. It is not 'I Will Be' so let's not worry about the future, with its problems and fears.
Psalms 118:24 (NIV) "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
We need to pay attention to God's command.
Exodus 20:9-11 (NIV) "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, {10} but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. {11} For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
That means we need to take a day off each week. God never intended for us to work seven days a week. Note: a day of rest should not be confused with a day of recreation. We need a day of rest to replenish our physical, emotional, and spiritual resources. We need to spend time with the Lord everyday. If we don't we will find our time is taken up all too quickly.
It is also good to spend some time at the close of each day to reflect upon the day's events. Whatever works best with your schedule is what you should do...but do it. It is impossible to effectively manage stress without spending time with the One who offers the ultimate solution to stress!
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV) "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. {30} Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; {31} but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
How do we choose rest over stress? First we must rid ourselves of unnecessary stress. Second, we must learn how to deal positively with the stress that is unavoidable.
Let's choose to rest in the Lord.
Psalm 37:7a "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him..."