How do you Handle Stress?
Our snowy weather continues, but not as bad as the Denver area. I had a good hour and a half workout today at the fitness center. It was my fourth workout this week, which is good for me. After over 30 minutes on the exercise bike, I did my five minutes on the treadmill. I also, picked up a pair of “Canadian” crutches, to give me some options on my mobility assistance. I Look forward to continue progress in my recovery.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
As I was reading the context of these familiar verses, I took note that they come at at time when Matthew is describing all of the challenges to Jesus ministry. He is accused of breaking the Sabbath. John the Baptist facing certain death and sends disciples to ask Jesus, “are you the One or do we look for another?” There are towns that see incredible miracles, yet continue in their sin. Jesus faces rejection in his own home town. If this was me, I would be looking for a refuge from discouragement, a place of rest and someone to help carry my burden
Yet Jesus looks at the disciples and reassures them, that I am the place you need to come when all these types of trails and challenges of life are getting you down. “Don’t run from me, run to me!” In contrast to the “way of the transgressor” that is is hard (Proverbs 13:15) being yoked with Jesus is easy. In contrast to how people were responding to Jesus, Jesus is the One who accepts instead of rejects; He is a shelter, not a task master. He is a place of rest, not one of who demands more.
As I reflect on this invitation of Jesus, that is so reflective of Isiah 55, (http://biblehub.com/isaiah/55-1.htm) I’m feel good and positive about life and my future. That caused me to reflect on a message of Pastor Brady Boyd, from New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Brady said something like this, “when thing are going well, we need to determine what we believe about Jesus and where to go when life gets rough. Because when the trials come, our response needs to be automatic.”
It is like basic training for life. It is like a fire drill. You practice for the battle, your prepare for the fire ahead of time so when it happens your know what to do, where to go. Too many people allow the circumstances of life to throw them off guard and when that happens, they flounder, doubt or make decisions that only complicate their life.
So the time to decide you need to run to Jesus is before the battle become intense, the fatigue sets in and the burden of life gets you down. Then when those times come, you run to Jesus, stay close to Him and find the place of strength, refuge and rest that you need.