Rest for the Soul in times of Stress

This morning I sense the need to encourage those among us who are (or will be) going through pressure and stress where the Lord's companionship and support is greatly needed. There are three main reasons why this is likely to have occurred:

1.     pressures have increased and you have allowed personal disciplines to get out of control

2.     you are under attack through family issues, business pressures or spiritual opposition

3.     you are responding to mounting pressures with fear rather than trust.

First of all know that you are not alone and your pressures are well understood. Secondly know that this is exactly the place where you can come closer to God.

All the great heroes of the Bible drew close to God at times of great need. Take for example King David... when he was under attack from Saul, starving and paranoid about the threat of King Achish. David was so driven by fear that he pretended to be insane to escape the threat. Read his account in 1 Samuel 20-21 and then consider your situation in comparison. In the heat of the pressure we can access David's feelings in Psalm 34 and in particular verses 19-22 (NIV):

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;

he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

The Lord redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Meditate on the words of someone who understands your stress and pressures and found the way forward. Notice the great "R" words of heaven that are being put to work for your situation... Righteousness, Redemption, Refuge... these Resources are tremendously powerful and you need to Rest in them in your battle. Similarly with Jeremiah, when he was under tremendous stress the Lord said to him: "If you Repent I will Restore you that you may serve me" (Jer 15:19).

Today and every day we must engage with the Restorative forces of heaven to overcome the Ravages of this world. Together with God we are a winning team. We are called to be overcomers!

Let's conclude with the personal disciplines of Repentance that will equip you for the future:

• apologise to God for any areas where you have reacted badly, especially where you have reduced God's place in your busy life

• put right any issues in relationships where you need to act with humility and grace

• restore any areas of injustice for which you bear responsibility

• make sure there is no unforgiveness in your heart, especially where you have experienced rejection

• redeem the time by building 'God space' in your daily life - at least one hour a day with the scriptures in prayer

• reject FEAR and draw on God's Favour as you choose to TRUST him in all your daily circumstances< /span>

• reinstate your physical exercise program if it has been a victim of busyness.

In these ways you can champion the cause of the Kingdom of God in your life's journey. You are a magnificent creation of God called to a destiny of honour and purpose that glorifies God. It is only by passing through pain that you can leave behind the dross of this world and rise up to the calling of God in your life.

Be strong in the Lord and bear good fruit, fruit that will last... for this is your calling:

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other" (John 15:16-17).

Pete

Peter Kentley
airborne778@gmail.com