-
Stress Free
Feb 1, 2023
--------------------------------------
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7)
Do you ever get stressed? Stress can be a good thing, but not if it is allowed to take up residence. It is what you do with it that makes all the difference.
Controlled stress can help us accomplish great things. A little stress can leverage you toward change. Philippians 4 says never BE anxious, don’t live stressed. Worry and stress can impact good health.
Shawn, a relative of mine, is a forestry consultant who specializes in insects and their impact on trees. In a recent conversation he was explaining that when there is stress in a group of trees, bugs move in. In the world of forestry, it is known that some bugs won’t bother trees unless they are under severe stress from drought, severe weather, pollution, or other negative factors. So, bugs attack unhealthy trees, stressed trees.
Psalm 1 offers a picture of believers as trees by streams of water, trees bearing fruit, healthy stress free trees. Being spiritually unhealthy is an invitation to opportunistic predators from the king of darkness.
The Holy Spirit enables us to diagnose unhealthy patterns from mismanaged stress. We can present everything to God in prayer. Peace by streams of water flows in the truth that Jesus is near. Worship with gratitude in everything, rejoicing, with gentleness. That is good for us, it is contagious, and it glorifies God.
I hope you are finding reasons to rejoice today.
Comments
- (no comments)
