’tis the season to be stressed out!
’tis the season to be stressed out!
Written by: Tom Matlock
Every year around the holidays, the prayer requests for relief from financial burdens, illness, marital strife, and more increase dramatically. I can only imagine, in the midst of a season that calls us to thank and celebrate Christ, satan is working overtime to distract us. Behind the smiles of holiday cheer, stress and worry can sometimes flourish, seemingly unchecked. Before we know it, we’ve taken our eyes off of God.
If stress and worry have already set in, then take just a moment to consider with me what that means. While I don’t want you to dwell on your problems, I want you examine what the root of your worry or stress may be. Perhaps you or a loved one is ill. Maybe you are concerned about the possibility of spending Thanksgiving or Christmas homeless. Whatever your situation is, ask yourself the following two questions:
1.) Have I given this to the Lord?
2.) If I have, have I taken it back and held on to it because it’s just too big for God?
I know the last question may seem absurd, but is the answer yes? Our response to our trials becomes sin when it keeps us from obeying the following passage.
“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 every situation, 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV)
When we worry, we are actually expressing our disbelief in God’s love and ability to see us through our trials. When we are overcome by stress, we are saying that somehow our disobedience is justified because of how huge our problems or struggles may be. Stress and worry both imply that our struggles are bigger than our God. That somehow even though the God of the universe overcame death to save us, He’s not able to help us through everything we encounter in daily life. This is simply not true. But regardless of the problem or the outcome, the passage above commands us to rejoice always, and not to be anxious about anything.
We have to commit ourselves to remember, in the midst of our struggles, that life is still all about God. In James, we read that our lives are just a vapor. God has been here since eternity past and will be here after this earth and it’s trials have long gone. Our purpose while here is to glorify Him in the midst of whatever we are facing and to point others to the cross. When God is at work in our lives and we are actively trusting Him, He uses us to bring others to Himself.
“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)
So today, I want to encourage you not to take your eyes off of our Father for an instant. Whether you eat, drink, play, mourn, rejoice, or suffer, in whatever you do, do all to God’s glory and rejoice in Him always! Don’t elevate yourself, your needs, or your problems above that which the Lord is capable of overcoming in your midst. Instead, cultivate a deeper relationship with Him and trust Him. After all, He died so you could spend eternity with Him. He certainly won’t leave or forsake you.