STRESS - "LESS"

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

ARE YOU SEEKING?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Burdens. Weights. Pressure. Pace. Taxed?

What kind of mental images do those words stir up?Do they paint the picture of someone struggling to stay upright under a heavy load or someone frantically trying to “keep up”?

Truth is we ARE STRESSED. (see the cartoon... )

Work is stressful. Home is stressful.Relationships are stressful.

Yet Christ calls us to FREQUENTLY break away; to pause and to breathe.

To be honest, He encourages us to just “hang out” with Him for a much needed respite.

Matthew 12:28-30 MSG

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Christ wants us to SLOW DOWN; to take a break from the frantic and distracting nature of this world because when we are SO BUSY, so distracted and so preoccupied, we are settling for something less than a fulfilling day or life.Busyness often translates into restlessness, discontentment and preoccupation.It robs us of the blessing of today.Hurried and burdened living steals the calm contentment, gladness and peace that are available to us through Jesus.

He knows this.That is why He makes the offer.

He wants to teach us to take a real rest.

So…today, slow down.

Jeremiah 2:25

"Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?

“Still” yourself.

Psalm 46:10 (King James Version)

¹⁰Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Try a few moments of solitude

Matthew 6:6

⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

AND STRESS...LESS

Start with a prayer…

Father, forgive me for allowing my "busyness" to keep me from you—and from the rest you have provided. Teach me to take a real rest. Teach me to live freely and lightly. In Jesus' name …

Have a blessed day.

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney