Prayer and Stress

Stress - what happens when we're stressed? -- we don't take care of ourselves -- we lash out at others -- our stress spills over to all around us. We don’t sleep well, we don’t eat or we eat too much, we tend to depend on other stimulants to get us through these depressing or stress-filled times.

- We may even be very mad at God at this point – thinking He’s abandoned us. When we get like this we’re a walking mess.

Life sometimes causes us to feel like a rubber band stretched tight. Pressures build up and pull us in different directions or pull against our sense of well being. But we tend to forget that God can bring serenity and peace in the midst of stress.

- Stress can be shared and the burden lifted from us.

- There’s a story about an old man. He staggers down the road with an enormous sack on his back. Just when he thinks his back will break, a strong young man steps beside him, lifts his load and carries it for him. This is a picture of the Lord. At the point when we feel that life is unbearable, the Lord steps besides us and lifts our load. God's help gives us hope in the midst of stress.

From Matthew 11: 28-30

"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

I know – for me – when I try to sit quietly in silence and listen to God – my mind wanders. I’ve tried something a little new – when I start thinking of chores or that call I have to make or an upcoming interview – I bring my mind back to a phase – “Thank you for counting me worthy to stand in Your presence.”

I find that very relaxing and my mind again becomes still and focused on Jesus.

Prayer is:
- essential
- it clarifies
- reminds us of what is really important
- reveals our deepest desires
- gives us purpose
- a journey
- a chance to become familiar with ourselves
- important
- needed

Jesus would go off at night away from the crowds and His apostles to talk with His father. Don’t you wonder if God talked to Him in a very audible way - He would ask His father something and God would answer Him back?

"Our relationship with God grows from our constant awareness of His presence in our lives. At first it’s difficult but as we pray and His presence becomes more real, we realize that God is working on our attitudes. He alters our vision, our understanding of life.

Over a period of time we’ll notice our attitudes changing toward everything. We think differently about God - about material things - about ourselves and others. Given the time God will eventually transform our whole life.

- The bottom line is this: find the time to spend with God even if it’s only 15 minutes every day. If we can find the time to watch a ballgame or visit a friend or go out to dinner or go shopping or exercise – certainly we can make time to just be and sit quietly with Him.

- I truly believe that your stress level will decrease and you will find a new strength -- you won't quit when just picking up that phone for another call seems like agony. Or you need to send out that resume -- or you are called in for an interview and you stress yourself about it.

This is from "Never Alone: A Personal Way to God: by Joseph Girzone – the author of the Joshua books.

"I dedicate this book to my friend who is always by my side and in my heart, who is never far when I am lonely and confused, who always gives peace to my soul when I am troubled and frightened, and fearful of the future. I share with Him my deepest secrets, my joy, my sorrow, my accomplishments, my shame. He always understands. He never accuses or criticizes, but often suggests a different way of doing things. When He does He inevitably prepares the way so it is not as impossible as I thought it might be.

Over the years I have learned to trust Him. It was not easy. I thought that in following Him I would have to give up all the fun in my life, but I found that He is the Source of all joy and adventure, and, indeed, He turned my life into a great adventure at a time when I thought it was about to come to an end.

I would like to suggest that He could become your Friend, too, if you would like him to be. Do not be afraid. He will respect your freedom and your independence more than anyone you have ever met, because He created you to be free. He just wants more than anything that you will accept Him as your Friend. If you do, I can promise you, you will never be alone."