As I raked up the branches scattered across the lawn by the recent
storm, my muscles protested. After about
20 minutes, despite a chilly wind, I was perspiring. Why? My physical frame is
not accustomed to that kind of exertion. I am not ‘in shape!’ I could be. In a matter of weeks, were I to start
a regimen that made my body work, there would be a response in me. My heart
would become more efficient, my muscles stronger.
Stresses of life, things that make us emotionally and spiritually
exhausted can serve a similar purpose.
It is true. The Psalm says, "Before
I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what
you do is good; teach me your decrees." (Psalm 119:66-68, NIV) Did you
catch the meaning there? He was apathetic
towards God, wandering – until adversity
brought clarity, new focus, and a renewed desire to grow spiritually
Are you dealing with a challenge to your sense of
well-being? It could be a physical need, an emotional struggle, an inner conflict
with temptation. It might just be a winter storm (smile!) or being without electricity
for days. (Yes, that’s tough for those of us accustomed to the comforts of 21st
century life.) Whatever it is, instead
of griping about it, instead of falling into despair, why not choose to use the hardship to grow? We believe that situations that create stress
are our enemies. Think again! Those who
are always indulged, pampered and protected from every struggle, never develop the resources to live a whole, healthy life. In much the same way, those Christians who
avoid situations that try their faith will never
discover the depths of God’s grace. Those who refuse to sweat cannot compete at
the highest levels!
Let me ask you to think about this again. What's stressing you today? Share those things with the One who loves you,
but instead of begging for an escape, ask for strength to endure! Let the stress push you to rethink your
assumptions about life, to help you to become more self-aware, to lead you to greater
faith that take you deeper spiritually. Hardship
can relieve us of our illusions of self-sufficiency and in our weakness we will
lean on the Lord and on those we trust to help us along.
If we don't respond to it in a healthy way, stress can
damage our emotions, break our health, or drive us to depression. IF we remember we have a Resource to whom we
can turn, One who will not leave us without hope, our stresses will build great
faith and deep character in Christ. James,
the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem, a man who faced intense persecution
and internal pressures of a church in conflict, gives us wisdom for the way - “Consider
it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.
You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows
its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its
work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” 1:2-3
(The Message)
Paul, the man who served the Lord without reserve, speaks to
us from his experience. “We do not want
you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province
of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so
that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of
death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who
raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will
deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver
us.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10.
NIV)
Oh, yes, I must be transparent. The losses that have come my
way in the last few years, the sorrow of losing my wife, the struggles of life,
have not always found me trusting or asking to be strong. Sometimes I cry and
complain. Sometimes I plead for relief! Yet,
as I reflect on these stresses, I am thankful that I am led by the Spirit to
rely on God and I know that I am made richer – in faith, hope, and love –
praise God!
Are you stressed? Don’t
be a Lone Ranger!
Take your cares to the One who cares for you today. Weep, if you need to. Hold open your heart and
invite Him to heal and help. Offer thanksgiving, not necessarily for the hard
things, but for His grace to keep you in the middle of the mess. Repent (turn away) from the things that you
choose that are really just avoidance of the real issues. Boldly seek Him,
asking Him to show you HIS way instead of just begging for an answer to the
question – Why? Thank Him that He knows
exactly what you need, exactly how much you
can take. His goal is to make His beauty shine through you and to lead
you to real and eternal life.
Here is the word from the Word - “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin
that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set
before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates
and perfects our faith.* Because of the joy* awaiting him, he endured the
cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside
God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;* then
you won’t become weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12: 1-3)
Jesus says, “the
Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach
you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John
14:26-27, NIV)
_________
The sun comes up, it's
a new day dawning.
It's time to sing Your
song again.
Whatever may pass and
whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when
the evening comes.
You're rich in love
and You're slow to anger,
Your name is great and
Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness,
I will keep on singing,
Ten thousand reasons
for my heart to find.
Bless the Lord, O my
soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never
before,
O my soul,
I'll worship Your holy
name.
And on that day when
my strength is failing,
The end draws near and
my time has come,
Still my soul will
sing Your praise unending,
Ten thousand years and
then forevermore!
Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman
© 2011 Said And Done Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music
Publishing)
SHOUT! Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music
Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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