Blessed

As I was preparing for a weekend teaching, I came across an interesting study conducted by Duke University.  They sought to discover the modern sources of stress...what makes people’s blood pressures rise and their tempers flare?   The results were quite surprising.   As you go through the list... if you identify with one of  their reasons... take a minute and read the Bible verse below it.   God hasn’t designed us to carry so much pressure... and He gives us His words and promises to help counter it.  

According to Duke University, what are the main causes of today’s stress?  What does the Bible have to say about how to handle each of them?

#1:  Suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.

What the Bible says to do:  “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”  Mark 11:25

#2:  Living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.

What the Bible says:  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  2 Corinthians 5:17

#3:  Wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. 

What the Bible says to do:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

#4: Withdrawing and becoming reclusive during periods of emotional stress.

What the Bible says to do:  “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:25

#5:  Indulging in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal.

What the Bible says:  “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”  - 1 Peter 5:10

#6:  Rejecting basic virtues—love, humor, compassion and loyalty

What the Bible says to do: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  Philippians 4:8

#7:  Expecting too much of yourself. 

What the Bible says:  “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”  Romans 3:23

#8:  Becoming self-centered.

What the Bible says to do:  “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”  Philippians 2:3-4

Remember, no matter what the world throws at you... the Bible has an answer. 

You weren’t meant to carry as much stress as you do.  It’s time to make a change.

Are you ready?

Today… if the world knocks you down to your knees... remember, that’s the best place to pray.  Stay there... turn to your Heavenly Father... and let Him know what hurts.  Leave your problems with Him... and resist the temptation to run back over and pick them up.  He is big enough to shoulder what you’re struggling with and loving enough not to give them back to you. 

Pray more 

Stress less

Breathe easier

Live healthier

Give the glory to God.   

You were meant to be blessed not stressed. 

Angry?

Mother Teresa was once asked “Don’t you ever become angry at the causes of social injustice that you see in India or in any of the places in which you work?”  She thought for a long moment and replied, “Why should I expend energy in anger that I can expend in love.”

During the course of a day, we have a limited amount of both time and energy.  And decision by decision, we get to choose how we use it.   Should we become furious and yell... or be forgiving and loving?  Same amount of time.  Same amount of energy.  So which one is what God wants?  Scripture tells us in James chapter 1 that “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”  And if our goal is to become more like Christ (which it should be), then the choice is clear.  Why waste time throwing our hands in the air and yelling... instead, why not use that same passion to calm a situation, extend grace, show mercy, and help people see Christ reflected in our love for them.  While this isn’t always the easiest choice, it is the most effective one as we strive forward to reach our God potential.  

Limited

Mother Teresa was once asked “Don’t you ever become angry at the causes of social injustice that you see in India or in any of the places in which you work?”  She thought for a long moment and replied, “Why should I expend energy in anger that I can expend in love.”

During the course of a day, we have a limited amount of both time and energy.  And decision by decision, we get to choose how we use it.   Should we become furious and yell... or be forgiving and loving?  Same amount of time.  Same amount of energy.  So which one is what God wants?  Scripture tells us in James chapter 1 that “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”  And if our goal is to become more like Christ (which it should be), then the choice is clear.  Why waste time throwing our hands in the air and yelling... instead, why not use that same passion to calm a situation, extend grace, show mercy, and help people see Christ reflected in our love for them.  While this isn’t always the easiest choice, it is the most effective one as we strive forward to reach our God potential.