Power Point - September 19, 2005

September 19, 2005

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

--Psalm 23:1-3

How many times have you been all stressed up with no place to go? My doctor has administered a stress test to me in his office before. I jumped on a treadmill and started walking while hooked up to all kinds of electronics and machines. The idea is that these machines can detect the stress in your body through your vital signs.

Many times, stress tests don’t come with treadmill and technology included. If you’re like me, then you are probably very good at appearing serene and peaceful on the outside, while near the breaking point of pressure on the inside. Too many people today are extremely frazzled…and there seems to be no rest in between activities.

Ultimately, what you see is burn-out—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Does this sound like you? The good news is that you can have peace in this hurried life through Christ. He is not just your sin bearer—He’s also your burden bearer.

While you may still feel the intensity of the pressure points, if you LET Him carry you through it, then you will experience peace all along the way. Erma Bombeck said, “Greener grass is often under the septic tank.” Perhaps the Lord is trying to showing you to rely on Him, so you can move to greener grass. If you’re overly stressed, take a break. Find peace and rest in the Lord, or you’ll find yourself weary, worn, and broken.

“IF WE DON’T COME APART, WE WILL COME APART.”

--VANCE HAVNER