Thursday, September 15, 2011
Some people may wonder if Jesus ever felt stress. I believe the answer is yes. Luke records these interesting words from Jesus, "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it s completed" (Luke 12:50). The word distressed literally means to be compressed. The Old King James translators used the word "strait" to describe this word. When I hear the word strait I think of a jacket. Or, I'm between a rock and a hard place. So, yes Jesus felt pressure. He felt the squeeze of anxiety. This is comforting because when I feel stressed I know that Jesus knows how I feel.
More importantly, Jesus knows how to get rid of stress. I believe he left us an example of how to rid our lives of stress. We never see Jesus losing control. We never see him becoming distracted or self-centered. How did Jesus resolve stress in his life?
Luke records the answer as well, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16). What an example! To break the grip of stress, I must develop the habit of prayer. It is there that I will gain perspective and peace to handle the stress of life. The busier we are the greater the stress and greater the need to be alone with God in prayer.
When I'm stressed how do I pray to God? I believe Philippians 4:4-8 gives us the answer.
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
If you're stressed - PRAY (like Jesus...which means withdraw to a lonely place). As you pray:
1) Rejoice in the Lord - start by rejoicing in the things that only God can do in your life. Like save you, give you grace, show you mercy...etc. Joy reduces stress!
2) Ask God to help you be gentle. Sometimes stress can make us mean.
3) Acknowledge that God is near to you. He will never leave you.
4) Be thankful. There is always something to thank God for.
5) Ask God to change your thoughts. Sometimes I'm stressed because I think negative thoughts. Ask God to help you think about the list above. And when your mind begins to drift away from those things; ask Him to alert your mind to those harmful thoughts.
To break the grip of stress, develop the habit of prayer. Like Jesus.
Be blessed, not stressed,
Pastor Tim
More importantly, Jesus knows how to get rid of stress. I believe he left us an example of how to rid our lives of stress. We never see Jesus losing control. We never see him becoming distracted or self-centered. How did Jesus resolve stress in his life?
Luke records the answer as well, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16). What an example! To break the grip of stress, I must develop the habit of prayer. It is there that I will gain perspective and peace to handle the stress of life. The busier we are the greater the stress and greater the need to be alone with God in prayer.
When I'm stressed how do I pray to God? I believe Philippians 4:4-8 gives us the answer.
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
If you're stressed - PRAY (like Jesus...which means withdraw to a lonely place). As you pray:
1) Rejoice in the Lord - start by rejoicing in the things that only God can do in your life. Like save you, give you grace, show you mercy...etc. Joy reduces stress!
2) Ask God to help you be gentle. Sometimes stress can make us mean.
3) Acknowledge that God is near to you. He will never leave you.
4) Be thankful. There is always something to thank God for.
5) Ask God to change your thoughts. Sometimes I'm stressed because I think negative thoughts. Ask God to help you think about the list above. And when your mind begins to drift away from those things; ask Him to alert your mind to those harmful thoughts.
To break the grip of stress, develop the habit of prayer. Like Jesus.
Be blessed, not stressed,
Pastor Tim
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