By: Pastor Ellen
When our son, Michael, was around three, he would report to me about his time at the babysitter's. "I 'stretched' her out, Mommy," he would say. My mind visualized someone being pulled apart like saltwater taffy, with Michael doing the pulling at one end, and then the other!
Stress is rather like that, with our patience being stretched to a breaking point! We tend to handle stress by diverting our energy to worrying, to getting angry, and/or to engaging in some totally unrelated activity (called avoidance!). Very seldom do we turn directly to the Lord, seek His guidance, and consider His options.
So, here is our opportunity today and everyday. The moment we feel the onset of stress, any slight pressure, even the smallest twinge, we should refer to God's Word and allow Jesus to take over: Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous; do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." We should memorize this. Say it in our heads. Speak it out loud to keep Satan away. And watch for results! They will be there. They will be tangible signs of our stress dissipating and reducing by the power of the Lord.
When God is with us, even when we go down the pathway of stress and anxiety, things will change. Just wait and see! Instead of being weak and afraid, instead of being discouraged and confused, God will set our hearts solidly upon His Word. God will take that stress and disburse it to nothing! He will command it to leave our hearts and minds, and we will be free of our stress and anxiety until the next time! We must try it and see what happens. We will be amazed by the difference God makes, and we will love God even more!
About the Author: Pastor Ellen grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended local schools there: Turnbull Elementary, College Park Middle School, San Mateo High School, and Stanford University. She has two masters' degrees from Teachers College Columbia University and San Francisco Theological Seminary. For more Godled Daily Devontionals like is one, sign up for free at: http://www.begodled.com
Source: www.isnare.com
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