Psalm 46:1-3 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.”  NKJV

The Psalmist tells us in verse 10, “Cease Striving and know that I am God.”  The word “cease” in Hebrew means “relax.”  You will never discover the tent of Power that God desires to build over each of us if we keep scurrying around, fretting stressed out with pressure.  Stress will ultimately win out and destroy you if you do not learn to “Cast all your care on the Lord….” 

I read a Poem a few years ago that I will share with you, and I hope it inspires and encourages you.

“Slow Me down, Lord.

Ease the pounding of my heart by quieting my mind.

Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.

Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory.

Teach me the art of taking minute vacations, of slowing down and looking at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to smile at a child, to read a few lines from a good book.

Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values, that I may grow toward my greater destiny.

Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing speed.

Let me look upward to the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well.”

That resonates in my heart powerfully!  For God to counteract stress’s incredible toll, We Must Slow Down!  It is Our Stress countered by GOD’S Strength!  Let me offer three practical thoughts regarding finding God’s Strength in our stress condition.

• GOD’S STRENGTH IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.

Our trials are not superficial or irrelevant. They are vehicles of Grace that God uses to produce growth in our lives.  I heard a humorous illustration that conveys a beautiful message.

A man went to his doctor, complaining that he constantly had severe headaches.  The doctor inquired, “Do you smoke?”  The man said, “Well, yes, I do.”  The doctor said, “Stop smoking.”  The man stopped, but the headaches persisted, so he returned to the doctor. The doctor asked, “Do you drink?”  The man said, “Yes, I do.”  The doctor said, “Stop drinking.”  He did, but the headaches did not diminish.  He went back to the doctor, and the doctor asked, “Does your job cause you to engage in any physical labor that would in some way put pressure on your back?”  The man said, “Well, yes, it does.”  The doctor said, “Quit that job.”  He quit his job and took another lesser position, but the headaches did not go away.  Every day the pain pulsed through his head, and finally, he realized he was wearing a size 15 collar on a size 16 neck.  Problem solved!

Superficial problems call for superficial solutions, but the real-life stresses to the bone touch every nerve and need a supernatural solution.  God is our Present Help in time of need.

• GOD’S POWER IS OVERPOWERING.
• GOD’S POWER IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON OUR HELP OR ABILITY

We need to remember that we are Weak, but He is Strong!  Have you felt your weakness lately?  Are your life-changing units nearing the 300 mark?  God is ready to assist.  Why are we insistent on carrying the load alone?  Why do we allow stress & pressure to destroy our lives?  Why are we content to be robbed of our joy, peace, and happiness?  God is ready to come to us, operate in us, and help us relax.  Jesus said, “Take My Yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”  If you can say, “I am Stressed & Pressured out of measure, and I need God’s help and strength, HE OFFERS HELP.” 

Let me ask a few simple questions:  Do you Believe God is God and His Word is True?  Do You Believe that God can do what He said He would do?  Then, come to Him, casting your care on Him, knowing He cares for you and has provided for you. He will cleanse your heart and mind.  He will renew your spirit and give you refreshing.  He will refill and refuel you.  Cast Your Burdens on the Lord – – He Cares For You!

God bless you richly as you enjoy this day!