Dealing with stressful times - one Christian's view

A.  Dealing with stressful times.

·     We have all had to deal with stressful times in our past lives/jobs

o  Some involved decisions that impacted our own physical lives, others that impacted physical lives of others, others impacting businesses and, through them, the physical lives of others and others the everlasting lives of those to whom we ministered.

·     So this should not be a new phenomenon even though the specific cause of the issue is more widespread than other epidemics like H1N1, SARS etc.

·     So how can we deal with this particular stress? Where can we turn for help in terms of need? I’m glad you asked. GOD’S HOLY WORD.

·     I would like to ask each of you to read specific passages:

·     Psalm 9: 9-10

o  9. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

·     Psalm 46:1-3

o  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

·     Isaiah 26: 3-4

o  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 4. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

·     Isaiah 46:1-3

o  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

·     Luke 12: 25-26

o  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26. Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

·     John 14: 27

o  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.

·     Philippians 4:6

o  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

How do we as Christians use this time?

It is easy for us to ask “why?” Habakkuk did that in the first couple of chapters of the book. And he doesn’t stop at 1 question – he asks supplemental questions.

So trying to understand the WHY is not forbidden. But in Chapter 3:18-19, we see Habakkuk acknowledging that God is in control and accepting that what we do not understand about WHY God allows bad things to happen, does not mean God does not have the absolute right and power to do so. And we should REJOICE in that fact and seek wisdom to understand how we are supposed to act in response:

o  Habakkuk 3: 2-3

o  LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.

o  Habakkuk 3: 17-19

o  Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18. yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

So what question does the Bible tell us to ask in these troubled times? Are we supposed to pray that it will not happen? Here are two verses to consider.

o  Luke 22:42 – Jesus’ prayer to His Father

o  Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

o  John 12:27

o  Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

Although to the extroverts among us it may not seem so, God has given us a gift to time out from the daily bustle of our lives. How can we use that time? How should be behave? What should we be looking for? Again His Holy Word provides answers.

o  Hebrews 5:7-8. Submit to His will and learn the act of obedience

o  During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered

o  James 4:10. Practice humility

o  Humble yourselves before the LORD, and he will lift you up.

o  Psalm 103: 2-3. Realize how amazingly blessed we are in both absolute and relative terms and be grateful for all that God has given us.

o  Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits 3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

o  Romans 5:3-6. Compare this time of trial with training for a marathon. Training HURTS and there are times when you want to pack it in. But if you persevere it produces results – you get more endurance and are better able to run the race with LESS pain.

o  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4. perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

o  Along similar lines look at James 1:4-6. Look for how we can use this time to strengthen our trust in God and his infinite wisdom.

o  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

o  Finally, take times to rest in God’s care. He is in charge and we should NEVER forget that. Psalm 91:2-16 is a great way to finish this.

o  1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say[a] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”

o  3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

    and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his pinions,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

o  7 A thousand may fall at your side,

    ten thousand at your right hand,

    but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes

    and see the recompense of the wicked.

o  9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—

    the Most High, who is my refuge[b]—

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

    no plague come near your tent.

o  11 For he will command his angels concerning you

    to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up,

    lest you strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;

    the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

o  14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

    I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble;

    I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”