Friday, October 7, 2011

Seven Steps to Healing-Step Seven: Don't Let Stress Consume You

Cast your burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain you; he shall never permit the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22). 

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience. Holding a raised glass of water, everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question: "Half empty or half full?" She fooled them all. She asked with a smile, "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from eight ounces to 20 ounces.

The young lady replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "That's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on.

As with this glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden-holding stress longer and better each time it's practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night, pick them up tomorrow."

Whatever cares, afflictions or trials that are oppressing you, lay them upon the Lord. He will carry both you and your load. While a man trusts in God and works righteousness, he is as safe as if he were in heaven. Know where you stand in the Word and you will not be moved.

Don't let stress take control of your life and create illness. Stress has been associated with heart disease, stroke and cancer. Many times we think we can fix a problem, but in reality we make it worse.

So, Let go and let God!

No comments:

Post a Comment