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

As we continue, I want to offer three practical thoughts regarding finding God’s Strength in our condition of Stress.

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 wonderful message.

I heard a story about a man who 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 returned 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 and took another lesser position, but the headaches disappeared.  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 real-life stresses to the bone, touch every nerve and need a supernatural solution.  God is our Present Help in our 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 and 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 and pressured out of measure, and I need God’s help and strength, HE OFFERS HELP.” 

Let me ask a couple of simple questions: 

• Do you Believe God is God and His Word is True? 
• Do You Believe 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!

The question is, “IS HE THE LORD OF ALL?”  Is He to us personally?  We need to search our hearts with total transparency and honesty and see where God fits in our lives in peace and trouble.  I want to offer a few passages that I believe will inspire confidence in your heart.

Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.”

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God, has not given us the Spirit of Timidity (fear), but of Power and Love and Discipline (sound mind).”

Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and very courageous.”

Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the defense (strength) of my life; whom shall I dread?”

Psalm 27:10 – “For my father and mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.”

In times of heavy assault from Stress and Pressure, God extends to us His invitation to Come to Him and Rest in His Loving Embrace and Protective Covering.  In those times, we are to Stand Fast as Psalm 46:5 declares, “God is in the midst of her; she will not be moved.”  Moved in Hebrew means to totter and shake. 

The late Elvis Presley made the song “All Shook Up” popular.  He was born dirt-poor in a little Mississippi town and was an only child.  He had little encouragement and no special skills. At 18, making $14 a week as a truck driver, he made a recording on a lark.  You know the rest of the story as he became the best-paid male entertainer in America.  But shortly before Elvis died, he said, “I would give a million dollars for one week of a normal life and peace.”  Mondy cannot relieve Stress, and Fame will not cure it. 

The Only True Cure is God!   Determine in your heart that you are going to Trust Him completely and Depend upon Him totally.  He will not fail and cannot lie!  HE IS! 

Have a Fantastic Day and keep looking; help is on the way!