"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).
We live in hurried times where the bustle of life can increasingly leave us on edge. Aside, we have also an environment that has been degraded affecting nature which we are supposed to enjoy. Our diet, especially for those living in the city, is increasingly artificially saturated with chemicals. Also, our working lives are floating from one deadline to the next, leavings nerves frail.
For all this there are many people who are stressed. Stress has been defined as a "state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse circumstances!" When stress is not watched and managed well it can affect not just one's health but also ruin relationships. A stressed person is ever on edge and can easily go "live wire' once one steps on the "wrong fuse"!
The Bible is not oblivious of the cause and effect of stress on us. Man was created to live in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2-3) and life was pleasant before the fall. Our bodies were meant to feed on natural organic foods before oils and processing took over. Every body needs sufficient rest from our daily labors, as God planned, which many don't enjoy. Isn't it any surprising that having walked away from God's design for the earth and our lives lots of us are stressed!
A lot of people suffer stress due to anxiety, paralysed with worry, especially concern over finances. Yet when we give way to worry we open up ourselves to crippling stress. But God has given us the route to our freedom, and that is not to give ourselves to anxiety, but rather let the peace of God which "surpasses human understanding" flood our hearts.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, where my life is being subjected to stress and anxiety, I call upon you to take care of all my needs as you have promised and your peace to flood my entire being, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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27/04/2024 - 28/04/2024 All day“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1).
In the wildlife, a common feature is predatory animals chasing after less ferocious ones, which on a bad day become good dinner. Through the savannah plains of Africa the antelope tends to suffer that fate. After a long chase from a mighty lion, cheetah or leopard; antelopes that survive tend to retreat to a fresh water spot. There they gladly refresh their quench with streams of water.
King David, must have been more familiar with deer, as there are more common in the Northern Hemisphere. For us in the tropics we can substitute the deer with our antelope, commonly chased by predators. After a long chase, of course all pant for pints of water.
The significance of this metaphor is that whenever we encounter any situation that puts us on a chase, where do we run to! Habakuk 3:19 says, “The Lord God give my strength. He helps me run fast like deer. He leads me safely on the mountains” (Habakuk 3:19).
Two things of note here. The Lord can make us run as fast as the fastest antelope being chased by a predator to a well of safety. And of course, as we run, we have that the well of God to end up to and refresh ourselves! This is why David wrote, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today like the antelopes of the wildlife I run to you, to that well of life, which refreshes my soul, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
