STRESSED!

“Tis the season...”


What causes stress?

- money problems?

- over scheduling?

- traffic?

- the words, “some assembly required”?



It seems that Christmas can bring out the best and worst in us. Lights on the roof... eggnog in the fridge... presents wrapped and placed under the tree. But what did it take to make it all happen? Long lines at the checkout counters… people fighting over Elmo... an overdrawn bank account. We are overworked, overwhelmed, and overcommitted. We are hurried and worried. Christmas leaves us physically exhausted, psychologically drained, and spiritually???

Christmas is a time many people stop and turn to God. But unfortunately, it is also a time that many people don’t stop. Many don’t turn to God. For them, there is no time to pray... no time to give thanks... no time to worship. Like Martha (Luke 10), we get distracted by all the preparations. We “are worried and upset about many things.” (Luke 10:41) We have lost focus of the one thing that is needed. Are we making time for God?

REST

The key to stress is rest. Right? How do we get rest when we are so stressed?

One of God’s original 10 commandments dealt with the issue of rest: “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not work.” (Exodus 20:8) It goes on to say that “For six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth... but he rested on the seventh day.” Have you ever thought about why God rested? Do you think He was worn out? Did He have to take a nap? No. He was modeling for us how to pause and prioritize. How to enjoy what is really important.

To some, there is no time to rest. There is too much to do! Rest is a luxury they cannot afford. Some people struggle to take a Sabbath. They see it as an Old Testament law. And, praise God, we are not under the Law anymore.

Others can’t wait to take a Sabbath from work. They “Thank God it’s Friday” (because they are so spiritual!). They believe that the weekend is what refreshes them. But most people should thank God for Monday so they can recover from their weekend!

But to God, the Sabbath is Holy. He “blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:11) And when God blesses something - it ought to get our attention! If we want God’s blessing we ought to be a part of what He is blessing. His command to us is not: “Remember the Sabbath and rest” He says, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” The key to the Sabbath is not - not doing anything. The key is to do something! The key is to spend this time with God!

The key to stress is rest! And the key to rest is to remember that 24 hours of a week belongs to God. It is God’s gift to us - to protect us - from ourselves. Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27)

In Mark 6, the disciples had been sent out by twos to heal people and teach people. Jesus told the disciples, “Come with me... get some rest.” What are the words that most people hear? “Get some rest” But the real secret is in the words: “Come with me”

Again, in Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” How do you get rest? Come to Jesus!

If you are stressed over being overcommitted - take it to God. Allow Him to help you prioritize what is important. Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity... Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”

If you are stressed because money is tight - come to Jesus. Pray about what you can spend this Christmas season. And then stay disciplined to do as God leads. Understand what the Lord’s will is!

If you are worried and upset about many things - understand that only one thing is needed. Understand what the Lord’s will is.

Got stress? Get Jesus!

He will give you rest.

Then you will be blessed!



Pete Baumgartle, Lanesville, Indiana


Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." - Luke 2:14



Stress is a warning sign that we are taking ourselves too seriously, and that we are not taking God seriously enough.