In today's world, we go about things in such a manner, we are usually running around in circles. One thing is pulling us one way, another thing, another way. We spend our time worrying if we are going to meet all the deadlines we have set for ourselves. Then we come up with this thing called "stress".

My personal stress problem lately has been the fact I had lost my Dake bible. I had exhausted places to look. Yesterday it got on my mind so bad, that I ended up with a headache and a crying episode! Now, that is "STRESS" to me.

Stress usually brings it's own set of symptoms, usually headaches, upset stomachs, and sometimes depression and heart problems. To combat these problems, we need something called 'stress relief'.

The Lord says, "Come unto me"........meaning come now, don't tarry! When you grow tired, weary, exhausted, "come unto me" and "I will give you rest".......He will give you a 'refreshing'.....a calmness you will not get anywhere, especially out in the world.

When we spend all our time trying to meet deadlines, we forget that there is someone ready to help us through the day...keep us from all the rush, the stress, the depression we find upon us at times simply because we have not had our time with Him.

Each day, if we would arise, spend our quiet time in the presence of the Saviour, listen to His plans for our day, rather than taking things into our hands, things would not become so stressful. Instead, most of us are trying to meet 'our deadlines' that we simply do not take the time to even say, "Good morning, Lord". He probably would get a shock to hear from some of us in the mornings! Our mind is on the time, the kids, what to wear, what will be happening at the office today, what we will be doing after work, etc., to have any time whatsoever set aside to give salutation to Him.

Psalm 100 says to "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord." What more joyful noise would he love to hear than "Good morning, Lord"! Remember:

Tonight, my stress was relieved by God, through my husband. He helped me look and he went to the one place I had not spent too much time looking - no physical evidence for me to look there. But my wonderful husband looked there any way, and found my bible. I had been praying today, "Lord, let me find my bible. You know I need my bible." He didn't let 'me' find it, but he did let my husband find it, and I thank him so much for that. My "STRESS" has been relieved!

God is able to lead you out of your distresses - your "STRESS" today. Just put your trust in his word, and know that he is a GOD of his word and he will do that he says he will do. We are mortals living in this world, and until we go to be with Him, we will always feel the effects of stress, but let us be assured through his Word that "stress" can be relieved. He made the lame to walk, raised up the dead, made the blind to see, and set the captive free - surely GOD can relieve the STRESS.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Copyright 2004 by Barbara Sanders, Empire, AL. Used by permission.
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