THE DISTRESSED CHURCH

 

Friday, January 27, 2023

 

THE DISTRESSED CHURCH

 

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

          Peter wrote to those who had been scattered by persecution. Nero was the Roman despot at that time, and he was persecuting Christians. The formalistic Jews partnered with Rome to drive them away. They were dispersed to Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. They were under extreme stress.

 

          Stress produces emotional and often physical responses within us. It affects our ability to make good decisions and affects our relationships. Stress produces cortisol which can make us sick and shorten our life.

 

          How do you deal with stress? Some people engage in vigorous exercise. It releases endorphins which are hormones that relieve pain and produce a mild euphoria. Others will read a book or listen to music.

 

          Dr. Charles Stanley says: “Stress is the intangible partner of progress. Defined as "the normal, internal, physiological mechanism that adapts us to change.” Our problem is not stress, per se, but Distress which sees problems that have no solution.

 

          Peter suggests submission! He recommends that we cease struggling and submit ourselves to the circumstances in life that God may be using to mature us and make us stronger. I know that is not popular thought, but it is biblical thought.

 

          Obedience and submission enlist the help of God. The care is still there but it has been lifted from our weary backs and placed securely on the broad shoulders of the Lord. He is both willing and capable of carrying our heavy load.

 

Dear Lord, life is full of stress. Let me throw my cares onto you. Let me feel the care you have for me. AMEN