Articles
When the Pressure’s On
In a large department store a harried employee hurried past me saying, “Lord, help me through the day!” Apparently she was having “one of those days.” Don’t we all?
What this woman’s relationship with God is I do not know. But if we take her words at face value, they are right on target. First, she knew where to turn. She understood she could not get through the day on her own. Second, she was simply trying to make it through this day—tomorrow is another day. “Help me today!”
Isn’t it comforting to know that at any time we can “draw near to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16 NASB)? “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).
What a stress-reducer prayer is! “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7 NASB).
Some stress is inevitable, but what about those stressors we can eliminate or at least reduce? Martha meant well, but somehow her efforts to prepare a meal for Jesus got the best of her and she lost patience with both Jesus and her sister Mary (Luke 10:38-42). Were the standards she had set herself too high? Something simple would have been enough. While it’s easy to criticize Martha, are there times when we do much the same?
When undergoing stress, if we can: 1) realize our own limitations, 2) turn to God for help, and 3) develop patience, then we cannot help but grow!
