Life gets stressful at times… In fact, at times it can be almost overbearing! Recently we were driving down the highway. We had been really busy and all of our time and energies had been devoted to helping others.

            Quietly I told the Lord I needed a word of wisdom… an insight into his Holy Word. So I decided to listen to the radio – and sure enough the announcer said the message for that broadcast was just what I needed to hear. Kenneth Hagin, Jr’s topic was “How to take the stress out of your stress”! Wow! Just what I needed to hear!  

This is Rev. Hagin’s outline, as I remember it.  

1.      God gives us grace and strength one day at a time

2.      Don’t be a perfectionist

3.      Give vent to your frustrations

4.      Know that God understands your limitations

5.      Problems are a part of the human experience

6.      How to receive rest from your stress

I. God gives us grace and strength one day at a time.

            The Lord’s Prayer says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” That same principle applies to strength. We can put enough gas in our car for a week if we do not drive very much. However, we can only eat for one day at a time. In fact some of us have to refill our bellies more than once a day!

            It really helps to start and end each day focused on God’s presence. Done rightly this gives us a sense of direction for the day, and at the end of the day we roll the cares over onto the Lord and we are able to sleep well.

            No, it’s not always easy! Satan does his best battle with our minds!

If you are feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you can go on the next day, just remind yourself that tomorrow’s strength will arrive tomorrow! You don’t need it today!

II. Don’t be a perfectionist.

A perfectionist is someone who frets and stews over something until it is done perfectly. First, they seldom get much done; secondly they seldom enjoy anything they do.

Let God help set your priorities.

Perfectionism is often a sign of insecurity or too much pride.

Certainly we should strive for excellence. Be the best you can be, but don’t let life overwhelm you.

St. Paul might not have made it in some religious circles today. Shortly after Paul was converted some of the Jews wanted to kill him. Rather than face his enemies Paul allowed himself to be lowered over the wall of the city in a basket.

This was not fear – it was wisdom!

You can’t win every battle – so chose the important ones and let the rest go!

III. Give Vent to your frustration.

            Elijah was a great man of God. He stood against King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. He prayed that there would be no rain for 3 years and God held back the rain. He sacrificed a bull on an altar. After the altar was thoroughly soaked with water he prayed for God to consume the sacrifice with fire – and God answered with fire.

            When you minister that way you have a powerful adrenalin surge. You think you can take on the whole world. And then the adrenalin runs out… and boy, do you get tired!

            Elijah was so tired that after Jezebel threatened to have him killed Elijah ran away. Finally he fell exhausted under a Juniper tree. “Lord,” he prayed, “I’m the only servant you have left, and those folk are trying to kill me. Just let me die!”

            And God smiled. And God said, “It isn’t that bad. There are still 7,000 people who have not bowed their head to Baal.” And so God let Elijah rest. He took a long nap. After a while he was awakened by an angel. Elijah saw a fire burning, a cake that had been baked, and a jug of water sitting beside the cake. How good can life be! A heavenly meal provided by an angel. Don’t you know that food and water tasted good!

            For years I have encouraged people to tell God how they feel – God can handle it when we are upset. As I prepared this message it occurred to me that perhaps I should modify that advice. Rather than tell God how we feel perhaps we should just “talk things over with the Lord.” It should be a give-and-take conversation.

            We have a friend who gets frustrated with her husband because he doesn’t always listen to her like she thinks she should. (Imagine that!)

            Recently she was trying to explain her frustrating day to her husband. It wasn’t going well, for he kept stopping her to tell her what she should do. Finally she said, “Now look here! Do you remember even one time when I asked your opinion? No! Not at all! I just want you to listen!”

            And he did… and she got it worked out!

            God is a fabulous listener!

IV. God Understands our Limitations

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.  Psalm 103:13, 14

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-2

 God understood Elijah’s hurt and confusion, so He sent an angel to minister to him. All of us are carried along by God more than we think! He promised to meet every need we have, and He absolutely does. Philippians 4:19

V. Problems are Part of the Human Experience.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

            Even God has problems! He had to kick Satan out of heaven for rebellion. Adam and Eve sinned and had to be removed from the Garden of Eden.

Paul had problems. He was left for dead three times; bitten once by a deadly snake, and he spent years in prison for preaching the gospel.

            Serving God has a fantastic future, but the road between here and heaven can get pretty rough.  

VI. How to get Rest

There are 3 types of rest:

            Physical

            Emotional

            Spiritual

Physical Rest

            Sleep is fantastic. Make sure you get enough every night. Sometime we have to take a nap during the day! Sleeping all of the time, however, is symptomatic of depression.

            Take a walk. Stop and smell the roses. Play with the children or grandchildren. Take time to enjoy the sunset.

Emotional Rest

            One day a man was busy working at his desk trying to meet a deadline. He was tired, stressed, and a little bit angry. His young daughter came into the room and said, “Daddy, I want to show you something.”

            “Not now,” he said, “I’m busy.”

            This exchange went on and on for several minutes, but he wouldn’t pay her much attention. However, she was equally stubborn. Finally she crawled in between him and his desk and declared, “Daddy! Bugs don’t wait for people!”

            Years later he said, “I don’t have any idea what I was waiting for that day, but I remember that special time with my daughter!”

According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed at Aesop, and asked him why he wasted his time playing with children.

Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosened its string, and placed it on the ground. Then he asked the critical Athenian, "Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bow implies."

The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, "If you keep a bow always bent, it will eventually break; but if you let it go slack, it will be stronger when you need it."

Turn to God for Rest

-        Attending church should provide rest. Every week I work diligently to make our worship services a time or refreshing activity as well as a time of worship and instruction. You enhance that with the loving way you greet each other during the “meet and greet” time. As the old song goes, the Old Time Religion makes us love everybody!

-        We can pray in a variety of situations and positions. To pray without ceasing is not to work at prayer, but to share things with God. When I take business trips to other cities without my wife they are not nearly as fun as when she goes for I’m always seeing something I think she would enjoy. The same principle applies to time with God. If you see pretty pictures, thank God for the artist who shared his or her skill with you.

-        Let God enjoy the sunset or sunrise with you. An attitude of gratitude is the best antidote for fatigue I can think of!

Pastor Leon