Living with Stress

July 25, 2010

Introduction

Why would a man walk away from a job that would pay him approximately $1,000 per day? His job was secure. Seemingly everybody loved the job he was doing. The majority was applauding him, and he turned and walked away. Why? Just over six years ago, Mike Moses was the Superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District. In Mike Moses own words, “I’m tired.” My commentary for what it is worth: too much stress.

This morning, our study is “Living with Stress.” Stress comes in all shapes and sizes. Some have classified stress into two broad categories: eustress, and distress. Eustress has been described as the stress of a good time such as a vacation or a birthday party. I’m sure we’ve all heard someone say they needed a vacation to rest up from their vacation. There is such a thing as stress from having a good time. Then there is stress. Some say they work better under stress. That can be true to a point, but then there is the stress which can weaken or break down our immune system and we get sick. There is the stress which may cause us to become irritable and hard to get along with. It is distress. How do we handle stress?

As our text this morning, we begin with Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! {5} Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. {6} Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; {7} and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Body

I. Stress takes many forms, but most of them do not feel good, so how do we handle stress?

A. There are the many negatives of stress

1. For some it is burnout.

2. For others it’s a job that has become almost unbearable, or perhaps it has.

B. The question is, is there an answer?

1. For Mike Moses, there was an answer.

It’s called, just walking away. I quit! I can’t handle it any more! Sometimes that may be the answer.

2. It worked for me.

I quit the Dallas Independent School District after 22 years.

3. But is there hope in our text, and if so what?

Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

II. Can we rejoice in the midst of stress and trouble?

a. Paul could, even in prison.

(Phil 1:7 NKJV) just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

b. Jesus wanted us to be full of joy

(John 15:11 NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

c. Along with rejoicing, we are to be thankful.

(1 Th 5:18 NKJV) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1. It does not say, “for everything give thanks,” but in everything give thanks.

2. In everything we should rejoice. Not for everything, but in everything.

(Neh 8:10 NKJV) Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

III. Can we be gentle under stress.

Phil 4:5 “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”

A. We need a gentleness in our actions toward others.

(Prov 15:1 NKJV) A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

1. I listened to Mike Moses as he resigned as Superintendent of DISD.

I thought he was gentle in what he said. He wasn’t mean spirited about his leaving, he just said, “I’m tired.”

2. We can be gentle even when we take very definite actions to solve a problem.

(2 Tim 2:24-25 NKJV) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, {25} in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

B. Don’t be anxious about anything.

(Phil 4:6 NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

C. Be prayerful.

(Phil 4:6 NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

1. Peter shared this same thought.

(1 Pet 5:7 NKJV) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

2. Ask God for guidance and help.

(James 1:5 NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

3. Sometimes we do not have because we do not ask.

(James 4:2b-3 NKJV) Yet you do not have because you do not ask. {3} You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

a. We need to ask for guidance.

b. We need to ask for help with problems that may be bigger than we are.

A few years ago, one of our councilmen came to our door. He had voted against my request at the previous meeting. He had completely reversed his decision. I was dumbfounded. Later Jonathan said he had been praying about it, but I hadn’t. Pray can change things.

IV.God can give us a peaceful mind.

(Phil 4:7 NKJV) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A. Jesus spoke of peace as He faced the agony of crucifixion.

(John 14:27 NKJV) "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

B. Isaiah spoke of peace for God’s people.

(Isa 26:3-4 NKJV) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. {4} Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

Conclusion

“I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus, I cannot bear these burdens alone.

Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.”

For the stresses and strains of life:

We need God’s guidance.

We need God’s help.

But in reality, God wants us to know that in all things we need Him.

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