Are you concerned about tomorrow?
Stress is everywhere, and I’m convinced the stress of today and the way we handle it, is far worse than in the past. Media voices reassure us everyday of how bad things are. We’re quick to angst and feed each other with negatives.
We take pills to start the day. We take pills to end the day and escape into sleep. Addictions camouflage our reality and anesthetize our minds. And yet, stress remains faithful robbing us of life and health.
We’re sick because we’re stressed and stressed because we’re sick. Our bodies answer our actions with anger, depression, and addiction.
The only control we have over stress is our response.
Antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed medication of the day, surpassing the second runner up, high blood pressure prescriptions..
We live in a modern day Babylon overflowing with financial stress, work stress, marital stress, single-parent stress, overloaded schedules, rush and haste, traffic jams, on and on . . .
. . . and we long for the days that used to be 24 hours.
Rewind to the simple times of yesteryear. When I was a child, my hard-working dad had time for a nap in the hammock and shade of a tree. In the good days raising my family, there was time for long walks, clothesline chats, and quilting.
Stressful times . . . it must have just happened. No, it began with creation.
The ancients of old were certainly acquainted with stress. Abraham climbed the mountain to sacrifice his son. Moses definitely had his desert to deal with. Joseph spent time in a pit and a prison. Daniel had to be a little more than stressed in a den of lions. Job was a person broken under the stress of life, losing everything but his faith. David faced a giant, battles won, battles lost, leaving a legacy of Psalms.
And then there’s the apostle Paul, shipwrecked in the storm of life.
They had one common thread to get them through . . . prayer, not prozac.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
I have 150 favorite Psalms, but the other night I asked the Father to read just one over me. The comforting 23rd, where we find rest in the arms of the Shepherd. The One who orders the day and leads the way . . .to the peaceful place, to the stillness, to the green, through the gate of the Word.
So what can we do while we’re full time residents on planet earth?
Make a choice. Rehearse the stress, or . . . .
Pray. Read Scripture. Listen to your heartbeat, until you hear His.
Pause . . . Dwell on the sovereign.
God doesn’t want us to live stressed out even though we’re in stressful situations. His grace is sufficient for this day . . . and this night . . .
Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Verna
Powerful post, Verna! “Pray. Read Scripture. Listen to your heartbeat, until you hear His. Pause…Dwell on the sovereign.”
Yes!
I need to remind myself . . the practice of de-stressing. . . thank you, Vonda!
What a treasure to be reminded of how close the Savior is, at all times, and that we may commune with Him in the Holy Spirit, for His yoke is easy and his burden light. Thanks!
. . . such a weight leaves as I read this, Janeen . . .
Verna – “Listen to your heartbeat until you hear His.” I love this. Sometimes when I try to “be still” my mind just pings around like the bouncing ball on my screen-saver. Focusing on my heartbeat? What a beautiful way to connect with the Lord.
Blessings!
Thank you, Becky . . . it’s a difficult place to find today, isn’t it . . . quiet and still. I remember hearing we should get still enough to hear the deer walk across the snow (or the cat walk across the rug!) Let’s try today!
Verna – “Listen to your heartbeat until you hear His.” I love this. Sometimes when I try to “be still” my mind just pings around like the bouncing ball on my screen-saver. Focusing on my heartbeat? What a beautiful way to connect with the Lord.
Blessings!
Thank you, Becky . . . it’s a difficult place to find today, isn’t it . . . quiet and still. I remember hearing we should get still enough to hear the deer walk across the snow (or the cat walk across the rug!) Let’s try today!
Hi Verna, I’m not a woman but I read your blog posted on FB, hope that’s OK. I was really blessed by it as I’ve had a few stresses lately. They’re not worth mentioning in light of God’s grace, so thank you for a much needed reminder of His love.
It’s more than okay! I’m glad you found me . . . thank you for your visit and kind comment. And, we know stress isn’t just for women. We need to remind each other to hold up those stresses in the light of His grace . . . Bless you!
Hi Verna, I’m not a woman but I read your blog posted on FB, hope that’s OK. I was really blessed by it as I’ve had a few stresses lately. They’re not worth mentioning in light of God’s grace, so thank you for a much needed reminder of His love.
It’s more than okay! I’m glad you found me . . . thank you for your visit and kind comment. And, we know stress isn’t just for women. We need to remind each other to hold up those stresses in the light of His grace . . . Bless you!
Great post. Putting the stress in God’s hands will alleviate it from yours. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
. . . and the weight is lighter! Thank you for your kind comments and faithful visits!
My pleasure. 🙂
Great post. Putting the stress in God’s hands will alleviate it from yours. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
. . . and the weight is lighter! Thank you for your kind comments and faithful visits!
My pleasure. 🙂
Thank you once again, Verna. Just what I needed to hear this morning. ‘Dwell on the Sovereign…” Blessings,
Just what I needed to hear this morning, also Jane . . . thank you, dear sister.
Yes, Father. Thank You. Your grace is sufficient!
. . . so-o sufficient! Thanks, Marlene!
Yes, Father. Thank You. Your grace is sufficient!
. . . so-o sufficient! Thanks, Marlene!
Thank you, Verna, for the beautiful reminders and wonderful encouragement. Much to meditate on through the day.
God bless your day,
Donna
. . . and that’s the key, right Donna? . . meditate and remind ourselves of the good and not the stuff that gets in the way . . . bless you!
Thank you, Verna, for the beautiful reminders and wonderful encouragement. Much to meditate on through the day.
God bless your day,
Donna
. . . and that’s the key, right Donna? . . meditate and remind ourselves of the good and not the stuff that gets in the way . . . bless you!
Great reminders and advice-“pause-dwell on the Sovereign”. Thanks for those powerful and reassuring Scriptures,too! Very good message, Verna!
Thanks, Laura. . . we know how stress can get in the way of our pausing and dwelling!
Great reminders and advice-“pause-dwell on the Sovereign”. Thanks for those powerful and reassuring Scriptures,too! Very good message, Verna!
Thanks, Laura. . . we know how stress can get in the way of our pausing and dwelling!
Great post Verna! You’re singing my tune! Check out my post today 😉
http://celestialprescriptions.blogspot.com/
. . . that “stressful” tune that turns to grace? yep, I’m checking your posts every week, great writing and encouragement to me, Celeste!
Great post, friend. Love your pics and all the comments…indicates many agree…and understand how prayer can bring grace needed for those times.
Yes, it does. . . thank you for your input, kind friend. Always means a great deal to me. . . . blessings.
Great post, friend. Love your pics and all the comments…indicates many agree…and understand how prayer can bring grace needed for those times.
Yes, it does. . . thank you for your input, kind friend. Always means a great deal to me. . . . blessings.