Your Choice -- Less Stress or More Rest

Scripture:  Psalms 37:1-7 - Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

The definition of stress from Dictionary.com is a specific response of the body to a stimulus, as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium.  Another definition for stress is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.  Additionally, stress is our internal reaction to the stimuli of life.  Because it is internal, it is self produced.  Therefore, we all deal with stress/stressful situations differently.

Resting in the Lord is so very difficult at times – especially when it seems nothing is happening.  There are times we don’t know what to do.  Instead of waiting on the Lord until He changes things, we decide to make an alternative to God’s plan.  Abraham and Sarah decided on an alternative plan instead of waiting on the Lord to direct their path.  That surely didn’t work out.  Have you ever decided on an alternative plan instead of waiting on the Lord?  How did  that work out for you?

Psalms 37 deals with the problem of wicked people, their actions, their getting away with murder, and their not wanting to do what was right.  These wicked people caused stress to those around them.  In Psalms 37, there are prescriptions/precepts for dealing with stress:  (1) “Fret not”(v.1).  Don’t let your engine boil over.  Allow the Lord to control your mind and settle your heart.  (2) “Trust in the Lord and do good” (v. 3).  We have to learn to continually trust and obey the Lord.  For there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.  “Delight thyself also in the Lord” (v. 4).  Do you find your satisfaction in Him?  “Commit thy way unto the Lord” (v. 5).  It is imperative that we surrender control of our lives over to the Lord in dealing with stressful situations.  When we make decisions and do what we want to do instead of what the Lord wants us to do, we will stay stressed out.  “Rest in the Lord” (v. 7). Our Heavenly Father will take care of you.  Relax in His care.  “Cease from anger” (v. 8).  Calm down.  Stop letting little or big things trigger you getting angry.  “Depart from evil, and do good” (v. 27).  Within ourselves, we can’t do this.  We can only depart from evil and do good if we have a personal relationship with the Lord and seek His face in the word of God on a daily basis.  Then, because of the Holy Spirit indwelled in us, we will be able to yield unto the Holy Spirit and do what is right.  “Wait on the Lord” (v. 34).  Stop being anxious about everything.  Wait on the Lord (Isaiah 40:29-30).  If we apply those precepts from God’s word, our stress will be reduced or perhaps eliminated in some instances.  When we fail to react to things around us in a biblical way, it produces stress.
 
I’m learning that being stressed out versus resting in the Lord is a choice.  I have to remember that God knows what I am going through.  He is sovereign, and He knows what He is doing.  God has made provision for us to have less stress if we rest, rely, and depend on Him.  What is your choice?  If you are experiencing a stressful situation in your life right now, will you choose  to continue to be stressed out or will you choose to rest in the Lord? Pray and ask the Lord for help.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  I know You are in control of my life, and You will put/allow no more on me than I can bear.  Help me to rest in You.  Therefore, I will have less stress or anxiety in my life.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)