October 1999
October 30, 1999
"And besides, what's the
use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? Of course
not! And if worry can't even do such little things as that, what's the use of worrying
over bigger things?"
- Luke 12:25-26 (TLB)
"Man, it seems like I just got through paying that bill." "...you hit what with the car???" "How are we going to afford the groceries this week?"
I imagine all of us have uttered these sentences at a time when we were allowing stress into our lives. We seem to worry about SO many things, except that which is really important...developing our relationship with Christ.
The Apostle Luke (did you know he was a physician?) was writing about stress in our daily lives ("...what shall we eat.." and "...what shall we wear..."). That tells me that people in Biblical times were a lot like you and me. They experienced stress, too. But, God tells us not to worry...that if HE can feed the birds and clothe the flowers, won't HE feed and clothe us all the better?
Stress won't add a single day to your life. In fact, studies have proven that the opposite is true.
When faced with a stressful situation, turn it over to God. He promises to relieve you of your burdens.
October 23, 1999
"Don't copy the
behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness
in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will
really satisfy you."
- Romans 12:2 (TLB)
Too often, we in the fire/EMS services tend to "mold" ourselves in the pattern that our peers set ("...behavior and customs of this world...").
You get off shift and you go hang out with the crew. Some call it "choir practice", others call it "winding down", while still others call it for what it is...a time to "escape" by getting smashed. When you do this, you are:
Neglecting your family.
Neglecting your responsibility as a role model.
Neglecting your body.
and...your are adding to your own stress.
The above verse from the book of Romans tells us to not conform to the ways of the world. Instead we are to conform to HIS ways. The Bible promises us that as we walk with Christ and conform to His ways that we will learn from experience that His ways are the only ways to relieve the stress.
October 16, 1999
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (TLB)
"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."
Yesterday was "one of those days." Ya' know? I was called to the scene of a house fire. A young mom and her 4 year old son were killed. The other side of this tragedy is that several young firefighters were on the scene. It was their first exposure to fire fatalities...especially one in which a child was involved. Even those of us who are "seasoned" never get used to seeing a child's life taken.
The Apostle Paul wrote the above verse. God's Word promises inner strength in HIM. HE also says that this stress on us is only temporary and that because we go through this with HIS strength, HE will bless us!
I thank God that HE has given me the strength to carry on in the face of tragedy.
October 9, 1999
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
"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."
These words were spoken by our Lord, Jesus Christ. HE promises rest to who? ...to ALL who are tired and stressed. HE promises rest (stress relief). HE says to take His yoke, which means literally to get attached to HIM. And, He says, in doing so, you will find the relief you need.
So, how do we find relief from the stresses of today? By walking with Christ, by giving our cares to Him. If we do so, He is faithful to keep His promise to give us rest.