Managing Stress

We want to welcome our new subscribers to this weekly email. We now have 196 people subscribed to the list. But as the number of people who are subscribed to this list continues to increase, I must admit I grow a bit stressed about writing something each week that is worthwhile for you to read.

For that matter I am stressed out about many things. I've got so much going on. Some might think that being a pastor is one of the most stress free occupations, but I can assure you that is far from reality.

I know am not alone. I know that you deal with stress in your life. There is a word for being stress-free and that is dead! So if you are breathing and have a pulse, you have stress!

Even Jesus promised we will have stress. Well he does not actually use the word stress, but he does say that in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33). Translation - stress!

Stress is a reality of life. Whether it is good stress or bad stress, it is still stress. And stress can rob us of the joy Christ wants for us.

We are not going to eliminate stress on this side of eternity, but we can manage it and deal with it. We can deal with it because we have Jesus on our side.

Oftentimes we get so wrapped up in worry, anxiety, and stress that I forget to take it to the Lord in prayer. I am always amazed how much easier I sleep when I take something to the Lord. I am always amazed how when I am so stressed out about something and I take it to him in prayer, he always comes through. He keeps doing it over and over.

In those moments I am really feeling the stress, those are the moments I need to remember to all the more to rely upon my Savior. In my office hangs a notice: "Good morning! This is God, I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help. So, relax and have a great day!"

I need to be reminded of that. Maybe you do as well.

Readings for next week:

September

28Isaiah 54:1-57:14
Ephesians 6:1-24
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 24:8

29

Isaiah 57:15-59:21 Philippians 1:1-26 Psalm 71:1-24 Proverbs 24:9-10

30

Isaiah 60:1-62:5 Philippians 1:27-2:18 Psalm 72:1-20 Proverbs 24:11-12

October

01	Isaiah 62:6-65:25 Philippians 2:19-3:3 Psalm 73:1-28 Proverbs 24:13-14		02	Isaiah 66:1-24 Philippians 3:4-21 Psalm 74:1-23 Proverbs 24:15-16
03	Jeremiah 1:1-2:30 Philippians 4:1-23 Psalm 75:1-10 Proverbs 24:17-20		04	Jeremiah 2:31-4:18 Colossians 1:1-17 Psalm 76:1-12 Proverbs 24:21-22