Seasons Change: Seasons of Stress
Pastor Scott Applegate & Kristen Diebel
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Resisting stress
- I need to know who I am
“I am…” (John 8:12, 10:9, 14:6) (Jesus knew who he was)
- Two things that produce added stress in our lives:
- Insecurity about who we are always adds stress to our lives
- Unrealistic standards for ourselves add stress and pressure to our lives
- I will know who I am by knowing whose I am
“The identity that makes you free is anchored beyond all human praise and blame.” Henri Nouwen
- I need to know whom I am trying to please in life
“…I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30 NIV (Jesus knew who he was trying to please)
- When we are trying to please someone other than God we cave into:
- Criticism – because we are overly concerned with what others think of us
- Competition – because we worry about if someone is getting ahead of us
- Conflict – because we are threatened when someone disagrees with us
- I need to know what I am trying to accomplish
“…for I know where I came from and where I am going…” John 8:14 NIV (Jesus lived for what was most important)
- Every day we either live by priorities or by pressures
- Jesus refused to get sidetracked by less important matters (Luke 4:42-44)
- Jesus made alone time with God a priority in His life (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12-19)
Reducing stress
- Ask for help (Luke 6:12-16)
- Take time for rest and recreation
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27-28 NIV
- Give your stress to Christ
“Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” 1 Peter 5:7 LB