There is an epidemic of stress and anxiety in our society. The word anxiety means “to be torn apart on the inside.” Pressure from our jobs, our family, and important decisions make us worry. Worry can destroy the body, causing ulcers, headaches, and heart trouble, all while sapping vitality. While under stress, we are likely to make poor decisions, lose our tempers, quit a job, ruin relationships, and let our imaginations get the best of us by picturing the worst-case scenarios!
God says stop worrying! Worry is not our badge of honor or our cross to bear; rather, it is our sin. A remedy for worry is provided for us in Psalms 37.
- Trust in the Lord
Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
There are two worlds: the world I can do something about and the world that I can do nothing about. As someone said, “We die between two thieves, yesterday and tomorrow.” My body can’t live in tomorrow and worry expels energy on something I can do nothing about.
Trust in the Lord and do what good you can! (“Trust in the Lord and do good…”) We might not be able to see the forest through the trees; but cut down one tree at a time, and trust God with the rest.
- Delight in the Lord
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Peter walked on water as long as he looked at Jesus, but as soon as he looked at the wind and the waves (i.e., society’s morals, the economy, his enemies), he sank! If we are not delighting in our Great God, we will sink!
Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
How is your daily look at Him? Your Bible reading and prayer life? Delight in Him.
- Commit your way unto the Lord
Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Listen to these saints before they committed their way unto the Lord: Jacob, “All things are against me;” Elijah, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life;” Jonah, “I do well to be angry.” These things probably sound familiar to you because if you’re like me, you’ve said them yourself.
Daniel on the other hand is asleep on his sleep number lion while the great emperor Darius, owner of the most comfortable bed in the land, can’t get any rest! Because Daniel committed himself wholly to the Lord, he had peace in the midst of the lion’s den.
Psalms 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Peace is inner tranquility, contentment, and quiet rest. If you wrote down everything that you think would make you less stressed: more money, a new job, better health, or a vacation… We should understand there are people who have all the things that we think we need to make us happy, and yet they are miserable. What we really want and need is peace! Be stress free. Trust in the Lord, Delight in the Lord, and commit your way to Him.
Thank you pastor, God bless you