The Office on Women’s Health defines stress as “what you feel when you react to pressure from others or from yourself . . . Stress comes in many forms and everyone feels stress.”
We all experience stress, pressure, despair, dread, and discomfort at one time or another in our lives. It can hit you on the most relaxed beach; it can hit you while overlooking a beautiful green pasture; it can hit you at the funeral of a loved one: and it can even hit you in the comfort of your own secure home.
No matter how or why it hits, it can last for days, weeks, months, and/or years. Your blood pressure might rise, your heart might flutter, or you may overeat or starve yourself. The pangs of stress might even cause an uncontrollable panic. But, despite what you experience or how you react to the stresses in your life, remember that God knows exactly what you are going through. He knows and understands the circumstances surrounding your present-day state of anxiety. He really does.
It may be difficult, almost impossible, to sense His presence. But Scripture promises us that God is omnipresent meaning He is always with us. He is also omnipotent meaning His power can lift us out of the violent stressors we are presently enduring. If we can remember those two principles we can rest assured that soon we will be out of our pit.
Resting in Him isn’t easy at this point. It may be a season you must go through to learn some mighty truths from Him or a situation you must plow through so you can be used in service to others. In John 10:14-15, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” If Jesus loves us enough to lay down his life for us, He loves us enough to see us through whatever situation we find ourselves in until a point of rest.
Today, just imagine God wrapping His loving arms around you, comforting you. Ask Him to allow you to see your present trial through His eyes. Exhale your stress and inhale God’s love, peace, and presence right now.
And, if your stress becomes unbearable, please visit a physician and discuss your situation with him or her. God can and many times does work through the medical profession.
God Bless You,
Patti
Bible Verses:
As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live. Psalm 119:143-145 ESV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 ESV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV
Prayer:
Lord, please let me always be aware of your special presence. Help me know and feel that that you are there guiding me and giving me directions in all situations. Grant me the faith needed to know that you are always right there beside me. As stress is overwhelming me today, allow me to give all my current hardships to you – knowing that you always see the big picture and know what is best for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“Feeling Stressed.” Girls Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2015.
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Sabbath Rest has become a popular term in the Christian circle vernacular. Using my own words, a “Sabbath Rest” means living a daily life of peace, trust, and security in our Heavenly Father. We can achieve a “Sabbath Rest” by following these actions in our lives:
Preparing;
Dedicating;
Spending;
Bearing;
Trusting;
Expecting; and
Turning.
How to prepare for your Sabbath rest
We must plan for our Sabbath Rest. In Mark 3:9, Jesus was teaching and the crowds were pushing in on him. “And He told His disciples to have a little boat in [constant] readiness for Him because of the crowd, lest they press hard upon Him and crush Him.”
*Linked verses are in NIV translation for more clarity!
We see Jesus planning ahead. He knew that there might be some tough and anxious moments ahead, so he pre-prepared for a boat to be available as a retreat. Many times in the New Testament, Jesus retreats to a boat for rest.
The same goes for us, we should plan ahead to have a quiet time alone with God. God knows if we have children, jobs, and spouses to care for. This week, let’s try to do what Jesus did by planning ahead for time away from people and for time alone with God.
How to dedicate yourself to the Lord
We should ask ourselves if we have a saving relationship with Christ through the forgiveness of our sins. If so, are we daily dedicating our life to the Lord?
In Mark 4:8, we see seeds planted in different types of soil and a description of the soils. As believers, we should be people planned in the good, rich soil.
Jesus said, “And other seed [of the same kind] fell into good (well-adapted) soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing, and yielded up to thirty times as much, and sixty times as much, and even a hundred times as much as had been sown.” [Mark 4:8]
As believers, we are like the good seed. Through our dedication to the Lord, we should be growing up and increasing like the seed. Our Christian growth should be in a constantly growth and germination mode.
We do that by being sure we are truly dedicated to the Lord. Settling our salvation is the most beneficial and joyous way one can truly know God. We accomplish this through confession of our sins and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Only then can we have the strength and support to live in a daily relationship with the Lord through the power of His Holy Spirit.
“For on this day atonement shall be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins you shall be clean before the Lord. It is a Sabbath of [solemn] rest to you, and you shall afflict yourself (by fasting with penitence and humiliation) it is a statue forever.” [Leviticus 16:29-31]
How to spend time with the Lord through Bible study and prayer
We need to take the time to consider and understand the Lord through His Word and Prayer.
In Jesus’ words, “He said, He who has ears to hear, let him be hearing [and let him consider, and comprehend.] . . . And He said to them, To you has been entrusted the mystery of the kingdom of God [that is, the secret counsels of God which are hidden from the ungodly]; but for those outside [of our circle] everything becomes a parable . . .” [Mark 4:9-11]
Jesus is saying that once we have truly entrusted our life to God, and are reading our Bible and praying, we will begin to see mysteries and things of God through the Holy Spirit. We will begin to understand the Bible and we will learn how to listen to God. *If you do not own a Bible, I suggest purchasing an easy-to-read version. Many Christian bookstore employees are willing to help you find one that will meet your needs or reading ability.
Without being able to connect with the Lord, our business is seen through our eyes only, but now we can begin to see things through God’s eyes.
How to bear fruit
As we spend time with Him through Bible study and prayer, we will notice we are beginning to develop the fruits of the spirit.
“And those sown on the good (well-adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit.” [Mark 4:20]
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22 NIV ’84
“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].” [Galatians 5:22-23]
How to trust Jesus for protection and security
Let’s go back and look at the seed and how by planting our lives in the good soil of Jesus Christ we are protected and kept secure in Him.
In Mark 4:32, Jesus says, “It is like a grain of mustard-seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth; Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade.” From a small start (like a seed), we can become strong in the Lord. God’s branches will protect us as we grow in Him and His Word.
As we grow, we will most likely notice people come to us for Godly advice or others asking us to participate in Christian service with them. This is because God is ready to empower us for His service. Everyone has different gifts and callings. Sometimes it takes trying a few different “projects” to see what our gifts are. I once volunteered to help in a pre-school choir class. Almost immediately, I realized that was not a position for me. But, I was thankful for the opportunity to try it out. It moved me along to the next step to see what God had for me. In my case, most of my service has been along the lines of writing and using words in some capacity. I laugh sometimes when I think of that because I failed my first college writing assignment I wrote as a freshman. God does have a sense of humor!!!
Expect Storms
“And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.” [Mark 4:37]
In this situation, the disciples were scared; they called to Jesus for help. But look what the end result was – they looked to Jesus (as we should) and Jesus was right there taking care of their business.
How to turn continually and consistently to Jesus
One time Jesus was in a boat with his disciples and a storm erupted. The disciples were scared, but they turned to Jesus Christ to help them – as we should also.
Where was Jesus when the storm prevailed? “He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on the pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest though not that we perish?” [Mark 4:38]
These steps are not necessarily to be followed in a chronological order but in a cyclical order. As you see the cycle chart below, you may jump from one step to another one. Notice how the arrows change representing the different paths God may use to get us from one step to another. As long as we are rotating within the cycle – even jumping across to a step (not shown in the diagram) – Jesus is right in the midst of our own personal journey with His hands reaching out to us guiding and loving us. Only then will we experience a true Sabbath Rest.
Cycles to a Sabbath Rest Image Credit: Copyright Greene Family
I love Psalm 37:25 when King David says, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
That is because God is doing His thing and He knows what He is doing. Remember, God sees the big picture of our life, and we don’t.The sooner we understand this foundational truth, the sooner we will experience His peace, His trust, and His security in our lives.
God Bless You and may you find HIS REST this week.
Patti
Bible Verses: See above.
Prayer:
My Heavenly Father, You have walked where I have walked. You know what struggles I have. You know what decisions I have to make. You know what paths You want me to take. Lord, I want to dwell daily in Your presence. Allow me to use this cycle to guide me to be all I can be for You. I want to be in a “Sabbath Rest” every day. With Your help, I know I can. I love you, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Have you ever felt down-in-the-dumps, blue, or sad? We all have at some point. So, don’t feel bad when your emotions experience a little melancholy every once in a while!
One morning I noticed that too many of my friends were down-in-the-dumps. I realized they were all experiencing sadness as I was writing down their prayer requests in my prayer journal.
My prayer list that day included:
A friend who was dealing with a child getting involved in a deviant and criminal lifestyle;
Another friend was grieving over the loss of a close friend whose move was imminent; and
My third friend was dealing with a psychiatric situation in her family.
The bottom denominator was that they were all sad – one maybe more than another, but all were feeling blue. So, I thought back to some moments in my life when I was down. I remember being so sad when no one asked me to my senior prom. I remember sitting on my bed around 7:30 p.m. that night thinking about all my friends who were out having a good time. [I was in high school at a time when unaccompanied students did not go to prom, so that wasn’t an option.] Then, when our daughter was not accepted into the college she dreamed about going to her entire life, I felt sad feeling sorry for her.
Most definitions of sadness call it an emotional feeling usually triggered by some kind of a loss, sorrow, disappointment, or helplessness. Many times it is an event that is out of our control that leads us to sadness we wish we could avoid.
Being down-in-the-dumps usually starts rapidly and lasts for a relatively short period of time, while depression is persistent and can last for a long time and can reoccur. While sadness is not the same as depression, it can lead into depression.
Vince Havner, a Southern Baptist preacher, wrote in his book Though I Walk through the Valley, about three different levels of experience that Christians go through. First there are the “mountaintop days”when everything is going well and the world looks bright. These experiences are temporary: they can’t go on forever. It is unrealistic to expect, as many people do, that we can spend life leaping from one mountain peak to another as if there were no plains or valleys in-between. Instead, most of life consists of “ordinary days” when we work at our usual tasks, neither elated or depressed. Then, third, there are “dark days” when we trudge heavily through confusion, doubt, despair, and discouragement. Sometimes these days string out into months or even years before we begin to experience a sense of relief or victory. When they persist, dark days are days of depression.¹
When sadness turns into depression, it is time to seek out help. Many Christian counselors or physicians are trained and insightful to help with your situation.
But, what about those days you just feel a little blue? During these times, I have had people say:
“Don’t feel sad.”
“Just trust God.”
“It’s not that big of a deal.”
And honestly, while those friends may be trying to help, those phrases just don’t work most of the time.
Let’s look at two Biblical examples to see how Jesus and Habakkuk dealt with their sadness.
Habakkuk rejoiced when facing an international crisis.
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no heard in the stalls, yet I will rejoice I the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19.
Jesus wept when Mary and Martha were leading Jesus to see Lazarus’ dead body. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” they said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. John 11:32-35
On a practical basis, what are some things we can do when we are in a slump or are feeling sad?
First, look to see if some sin is causing your sadness, and the Lord to forgive you for whatever it may be, i.e. an action, a thought;
Cry. Let off some steam;
Listen to some calming music;
Read the Bible;
Exercise;
Find a friend to talk to;
Continue to eat and drink to keep your strength up;
Pray and ask others to pray for you;
Realize that with a little time, your blues will fade; and
Be grateful for your down-in-the-dump days.
In my opinion, the last suggestion is the hardest to follow. But, per the Mayo Clinic, “Scientists are finding that gratitude . . . not only helps explain a high sense of well-being, but also can be fostered in simple ways to increase happiness and fulfillment.” Interesting how the Bible says the same thing. In Colossians 3:16, scripture says, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Throughout the day, be thankful for little improvements in your situation, acknowledge that God knows what you are going through, and thank Him for His help in seeing you through this sad and difficult time.
Having a sad day or two does not mean you are not a good Christian. It is just life happening, “. . . but, joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:6.
And guess what? I did end up going to PROM! Not in high school, but as a chaperone at the high school where I worked and my date was the absolute best – It was my husband and best friend. And, my daughter was finally accepted into her dream school. In the end she decided to go elsewhere, which was a blessing, as she went to the college where she met her husband.
On our way to PROM! And, I was so EXCITED!
God always knows what He is doing even when we can’t see it. Trust Him always.
Be blessed.
Patti Greene Bible Verses for when you feel sad:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1Thessalonians 5:16-18
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:7
Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.Ecclesiastes 7:3
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to weep, and a time to laugh.Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 Prayer:
Oh Lord, help me to remember that periods of sadness will come upon me at times and for various reasons. Give me assurance that you are with me throughout these days. Let me cry if I need to. Let me rejoice as I seek your guidance. Let me be joyful as I strive to look at everything from your perspective. Let me stay in your Word. And, may the Holy Spirit’s presence be upon me daily. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using the BG² List.
My husband’s cell phone alarm is set to the song Where I Belong written by Jason Ingram and Jason Roy with the Christian band Building 429. I woke up to this song today feeling that I was watching Paul and Titus’ relationship “from the outside.”
“To Titus, my true child in a common faith.” Titus 1:4
Sometimes it feels like I’m watching from the outside
Sometimes it feels like I’m breathing but am I alive
I will keep searching for answers that aren’t here to find
All I know is I’m not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong.
I recently read the book of Titus where these two men, Titus and Paul, were portrayed as being so different. I felt like I was peering down upon two different lives, from two different backgrounds, and from two different perspectives. And, I was. However, even with their vast differences, they were both solidly united in a common ministry by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Titus was a Gentile who did not follow Jewish tradition. Paul was a Jewish Christian at the time of this writing. Little is known about the early life of Titus. Much is known about the early life of Paul. Titus was a trusted aide who delivered Paul’s letters to various congregations. He was there to help Paul out when church problems arose and Paul was unable to be there to help. Some say Titus was converted by Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missionary journey and was mentored by Paul leading to his maturity in the Lord. Paul’s high opinion of Titus is seen in 2 Corinthians 2:13 where we see the overwhelming concern and care Paul bestowed upon Titus. Titus became his commissioned servant. His calling was to build up the church. This is where the book of Titus begins.
At this point, Titus is on the island of Crete pastoring a church. Paul was writing to instruct Titus on how to run the church. It is said that Paul made a very politically incorrect statement in Titus 1:12 when he says, “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’” This is the background where Paul gives Titus instructions about how to be an administrator at the church; how to handle the responsibilities of his church; and how to deal with heresy and personal matters. Paul was mentoring his trusted aide.
Titus had a track record of being a faithful and trustworthy servant. Paul knew he was an organized person who could lead others, but he still wanted to share with his friend and mentee in this pastoral letter. Paul knew Titus was a man who would follow his instructions for the good of Christ. Isn’t it nice to know we are not in ministry alone? It is a blessing to have friends who encourage us to live a higher standard and serve as a role model to us.
I encourage you to read the entire book of Titus, but for now, let’s take a quick peek at some of the instructions Paul gives Titus in the three short chapters of the book. Paul is encouraging Titus to lead the Cretan church to become a healthy church through sound doctrine. While it sounds like Paul is just giving a checklist for the congregation to follow, his overwhelming desire is to lead others to eternal life and a solid commitment to the Lord.
Titus : A commissioned servant of God called to build up the Church of Crete
Qualifications for Elders
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Titus 1:5-9 ESV
Teaching Sound Doctrine
“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Titus 2:1-10. ESV
How to live a Christian life
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Titus 3:1-11 ESV
I was a high school librarian for 15 years. During those 15 years, I had a trusted library aide. While many aides at other schools came and went leaving the librarians to continually have the responsibility to retrain new people, I was privileged I did not have to do that. My aide was with me for the entire fifteen years working side by side with me. She was an enormous asset to me in my job. I believe that Titus was an enormous asset and aide to Paul and to the early church. Both Paul and Titus’ faithfulness and work ethic was building up the church. And as the song goes, I am sure both Paul and Titus were living their lives knowing they were “not home yet.” They were “not where they belonged.” They took this world and Jesus seriously and lived their lives for God.
And, so should we!
God Bless.
Patti Greene
Bible Verses:
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father. Let me be a vessel You can use today and always. Give me mentors along the way to encourage and teach me your ways. As I grow in You, give me opportunities to help and lead others to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and a strong commitment to You. And Lord, I pray for the Island of Crete today so the people will learn to have a living faith in You and not just a cultural tradition for You as Titus and Paul so strongly desired. I love you Lord. Amen.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the Bible. Follow the members on Twitter using the BG² List.
