RISING ABOVE STRESS – GUARANTEED!
By Pastor Greg Hooker
In all honest recollection, it has been a most stressful day – one that will go down as a prime candidate for the ‘Golden Globe Stress Award’! Without doubt many of you have undergone the same. It’s a stalker lurking on every corner of your life. Stress is produced from many sources, such as: sin, work, the economy, finances, friends, and family. In short, we make our habitation in a stress manufacturing world where the cogs, wheels and pistons never stop turning and continue twisting like a well-oiled-machine. Chug-a-lug, Chug-a-lug, the train of anxiety keeps on grinding the rails of our sanity – clickity clack, clickity clack rolls the relentless locomotive.
As I sought to deal with this anxiety brought on by something I pretty much had no control over, I sought the Lord and He heard me out of His Temple, but I didn’t care for His answer (at least not right away). So what did I do? . . . I sought His face again and again for another answer, as though God had made a mistake. Yet He clearly told me the same thing each time I prayed. Will you let me share with you what He said through His Spirit in hopes that it will help you, too? Okay, here it is:
“Be anxious (careful) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
No doubt most of you have heard or even memorized that passage of Scripture, but let’s take a moment from what we are doing to meditate on what it says to us. As I began to ponder what the Lord so distinctly and patiently kept telling me, God’s Spirit once again showed me another passage in the book of Luke.
“Now it came to pass, as they (Jesus and His disciples) went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:37-41).
Here we find two sisters acting out two entirely different scenarios in the company of Jesus. Let’s take a closer look at the two:
First we have Martha: The story tells us that Martha was “cumbered about much serving”. In those days it was a devout custom to invite visitors and guest into your home, prepare them a meal, and offer lodging. Thus “bumble bee” Martha was fulfilling her duty buzzing here and there preparing the meal and making sure it was just right for the Lord. Now let’s take a look at the other sister:
Secondly we have Mary: The story says that “little lamb” Mary “sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word”. Again, this was also an Eastern custom where the teacher taught as the people sat on the floor listening and learning. She no doubt was taken with every golden word that Jesus articulated. Can you imagine the sweet and melodious voice of God Himself in the flesh resonating off the brick and mortar ways?
As we continue our narrative, we find that “bumble bee” Martha was ‘stressing out’ over getting the meal cooked, setting the eating utensils, and arranging everything just perfect for Jesus. As a result, her stress level escalated to the point where she said out of frustration: “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.”
Can’t you just imagine the atmosphere in that room when she lashed out at Jesus over her seemingly ‘lazy’ sister? Quite possibly you could hear a pin drop as the silence hovered like a ominous cloud over them. Heads immediately turned and eyes focused heavily on Martha.
Then, as if an angels voice resonated from every cavity of the room, that same voice which Mary had been mesmerized by said, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful (anxious and stress out) and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her”
Wow, wouldn’t it have been grand to be a ‘fly on the wall’ when Jesus uttered those words? I tend to think Martha was a little taken back and embarrassed. She had just been reprimanded by her invited Guest Himself – none other than her Savior and Lord! If I had been in Martha’s sandals, I would have been looking for a back-door, or escape hatch to fall through!
Be that as is was, the sweet and loving Christ continued with, “… one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her”. Rather than sitting alongside Mary, soaking in eternal words of truth, Martha was so “cumbered about much serving” that she neglected the “one thing needful” – allowing the precious Words of the living, breathing God of the universe to fill her soul with peace, love and contentment. Instead, “bumble bee” Martha was all stress out, ready to ‘come unglued’ and have a nervous breakdown – anyone know the number for 911?!
Paul told us in Philippians “Be anxious (careful) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” This is essentially what Jesus was conveying to Martha – ‘slow down sister, take a break, take your shoes off and set a spell!’ Chill out for a while and listen to what I have to say.’
Was Martha doing something wrong? Absolutely not! We are to work and serve Christ each day of our lives, but never to the point where we neglect the “one thing needful” – quiet and quality time getting to know our Savior in a personal way. If we allow ourselves to become a “bumble bee” never stopping to establish and cultivate a solid and sweet relationship with Jesus, we are neglecting the most important thing that is needed the most. As a result, stress begins to drive and drown us in a sea of worry, doubt and fear. Joy turns to disdain, happiness to sorrow, and peace flies away like a frightened raven.
From day one of God creating male and female, it was for the sole purpose of having a creation created in His image with a conscience will to fellowship, love, and worship Him. That, my friends, is still our number one priority, and if we allow our priorities to shuffle out of order, look out, trouble has just stepped through that open door. Believe me, when that happens, there is nothing good that can come of it. As the old TV show ‘HeHaw’ would say, ‘Gloom despair and agony on me, deep dark depression excessive misery’ will invade your life.
Yes, I had a very stressful day and most likely you did, too. So I called out to my friend, Jesus, and each time He unhesitantly said, “Be anxious (careful) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
Are you calling out for an answer from the Lord in these stressful times? He will give you an answer every time. The all-important question is this: Will you take His advice and begin the healing process as He gives you peace that passes all understanding? Folks, I’m here as a witness, though you may be going through the very pits of hell on earth, we have a passionate Savior who will cool that savage soul, calm the angry nerves, and enable you to rise above the treacherous sea and walk with confidence knowing for certain that Christ will always be with you to rescue you from the perils of the sea of stress. Why not unload that wagon of stress an get on with the life that God wants you to experience. If you do, I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
Dear Father, help each one of us to rise above the angry sea of stress and take quality time to sit intently at the feet of Jesus as Mary did – listening, loving, and learning from the Master!
By Pastor Greg Hooker
In all honest recollection, it has been a most stressful day – one that will go down as a prime candidate for the ‘Golden Globe Stress Award’! Without doubt many of you have undergone the same. It’s a stalker lurking on every corner of your life. Stress is produced from many sources, such as: sin, work, the economy, finances, friends, and family. In short, we make our habitation in a stress manufacturing world where the cogs, wheels and pistons never stop turning and continue twisting like a well-oiled-machine. Chug-a-lug, Chug-a-lug, the train of anxiety keeps on grinding the rails of our sanity – clickity clack, clickity clack rolls the relentless locomotive.
As I sought to deal with this anxiety brought on by something I pretty much had no control over, I sought the Lord and He heard me out of His Temple, but I didn’t care for His answer (at least not right away). So what did I do? . . . I sought His face again and again for another answer, as though God had made a mistake. Yet He clearly told me the same thing each time I prayed. Will you let me share with you what He said through His Spirit in hopes that it will help you, too? Okay, here it is:
“Be anxious (careful) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
No doubt most of you have heard or even memorized that passage of Scripture, but let’s take a moment from what we are doing to meditate on what it says to us. As I began to ponder what the Lord so distinctly and patiently kept telling me, God’s Spirit once again showed me another passage in the book of Luke.
“Now it came to pass, as they (Jesus and His disciples) went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:37-41).
Here we find two sisters acting out two entirely different scenarios in the company of Jesus. Let’s take a closer look at the two:
First we have Martha: The story tells us that Martha was “cumbered about much serving”. In those days it was a devout custom to invite visitors and guest into your home, prepare them a meal, and offer lodging. Thus “bumble bee” Martha was fulfilling her duty buzzing here and there preparing the meal and making sure it was just right for the Lord. Now let’s take a look at the other sister:
Secondly we have Mary: The story says that “little lamb” Mary “sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word”. Again, this was also an Eastern custom where the teacher taught as the people sat on the floor listening and learning. She no doubt was taken with every golden word that Jesus articulated. Can you imagine the sweet and melodious voice of God Himself in the flesh resonating off the brick and mortar ways?
As we continue our narrative, we find that “bumble bee” Martha was ‘stressing out’ over getting the meal cooked, setting the eating utensils, and arranging everything just perfect for Jesus. As a result, her stress level escalated to the point where she said out of frustration: “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.”
Can’t you just imagine the atmosphere in that room when she lashed out at Jesus over her seemingly ‘lazy’ sister? Quite possibly you could hear a pin drop as the silence hovered like a ominous cloud over them. Heads immediately turned and eyes focused heavily on Martha.
Then, as if an angels voice resonated from every cavity of the room, that same voice which Mary had been mesmerized by said, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful (anxious and stress out) and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her”
Wow, wouldn’t it have been grand to be a ‘fly on the wall’ when Jesus uttered those words? I tend to think Martha was a little taken back and embarrassed. She had just been reprimanded by her invited Guest Himself – none other than her Savior and Lord! If I had been in Martha’s sandals, I would have been looking for a back-door, or escape hatch to fall through!
Be that as is was, the sweet and loving Christ continued with, “… one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her”. Rather than sitting alongside Mary, soaking in eternal words of truth, Martha was so “cumbered about much serving” that she neglected the “one thing needful” – allowing the precious Words of the living, breathing God of the universe to fill her soul with peace, love and contentment. Instead, “bumble bee” Martha was all stress out, ready to ‘come unglued’ and have a nervous breakdown – anyone know the number for 911?!
Paul told us in Philippians “Be anxious (careful) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” This is essentially what Jesus was conveying to Martha – ‘slow down sister, take a break, take your shoes off and set a spell!’ Chill out for a while and listen to what I have to say.’
Was Martha doing something wrong? Absolutely not! We are to work and serve Christ each day of our lives, but never to the point where we neglect the “one thing needful” – quiet and quality time getting to know our Savior in a personal way. If we allow ourselves to become a “bumble bee” never stopping to establish and cultivate a solid and sweet relationship with Jesus, we are neglecting the most important thing that is needed the most. As a result, stress begins to drive and drown us in a sea of worry, doubt and fear. Joy turns to disdain, happiness to sorrow, and peace flies away like a frightened raven.
From day one of God creating male and female, it was for the sole purpose of having a creation created in His image with a conscience will to fellowship, love, and worship Him. That, my friends, is still our number one priority, and if we allow our priorities to shuffle out of order, look out, trouble has just stepped through that open door. Believe me, when that happens, there is nothing good that can come of it. As the old TV show ‘HeHaw’ would say, ‘Gloom despair and agony on me, deep dark depression excessive misery’ will invade your life.
Yes, I had a very stressful day and most likely you did, too. So I called out to my friend, Jesus, and each time He unhesitantly said, “Be anxious (careful) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
Are you calling out for an answer from the Lord in these stressful times? He will give you an answer every time. The all-important question is this: Will you take His advice and begin the healing process as He gives you peace that passes all understanding? Folks, I’m here as a witness, though you may be going through the very pits of hell on earth, we have a passionate Savior who will cool that savage soul, calm the angry nerves, and enable you to rise above the treacherous sea and walk with confidence knowing for certain that Christ will always be with you to rescue you from the perils of the sea of stress. Why not unload that wagon of stress an get on with the life that God wants you to experience. If you do, I promise, you won’t be disappointed!
Dear Father, help each one of us to rise above the angry sea of stress and take quality time to sit intently at the feet of Jesus as Mary did – listening, loving, and learning from the Master!