In Isaiah 57:20–21, God tells us,
“The depraved are just like the tossing sea;
for it can’t be quiet,
and its waters toss up mire and filth.
There isn’t any peace,” says my God, “for the depraved.”
Although these verses describe the expertise of “the depraved,” many Christians maybe discover the sentiments they evoke all too acquainted. It sounds an excellent deal like what we name, in up to date language, stress.
Many sensible components have an effect on our stress ranges—how we work, what we watch, after we sleep, and so forth. However the truth is, so long as we reject God, our lives will all the time “toss up mire and filth”—even of their apparently peaceable elements! However to know God is to know a peace that transcends even dire circumstances.
It’s because of this that Paul was in a position to instruct the church in Philippi, “Rejoice within the Lord all the time” (Phil. 4:4)—or, as The Message paraphrases it, we’re to “have a good time God all day, each day.” Paul wrote these phrases from a dungeon in Rome—a disturbing atmosphere, to say the least. However, with out denying the truth of the difficulties he confronted, he may discover pleasure, hope, and peace in God. Amidst making an attempt circumstances, he realized to rely upon God totally. And discovering the whole lot in God, he wasn’t tempted to look elsewhere—to funds, accolades, his waistline, his step depend, or anything.
To know God is to know a peace that transcends even dire circumstances.
Paul went on to jot down, “Don’t be troubled about something, however in the whole lot by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made identified to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6–7).
Philippi was a garrison metropolis of Rome. Roman troopers guarded town partitions, and residents would wake within the morning and fall asleep at evening understanding that these sentries protected them from warfare with out and chaos inside. And so Paul says, in impact, “As you consider these sentries on guard across the partitions of Philippi, take into consideration the peace of God being on guard round your thoughts and round your life. You’ll uncover it if you study to not fear about something, to inform God about the whole lot, and to not overlook to thank Him for His solutions.”
On this instruction, Paul was echoing what Jesus had stated: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I offers you relaxation. Take my yoke upon you, and study from me, for I’m light and lowly in coronary heart, and one can find relaxation in your souls. For my yoke is straightforward, and my burden is mild” (Matt. 11:28–30). That’s an image from agriculture, of beasts of burden yoked for a job, as if Jesus have been saying, “Get beneath the bridle of My duty and knowledge, and let Me information me. I promise you: My yoke gained’t chafe your neck.”
That is an invite we have to reply earlier than we expertise its advantages—and typically these advantages can nonetheless take a very long time to return to fruition. However the promise of God’s Phrase is that as we submit ourselves to Christ, casting our burdens onto Him (1 Peter 5:7) and accepting His lordship, we are going to, in the long run, expertise the liberty religion makes potential. Christianity will not be true as a result of it really works, nevertheless it works as a result of it’s true.
And so, after we search to view the difficulties in our lives by way of the lens of religion, our first query shouldn’t be “Can I pop this Christian capsule and cope with my stress?” Fairly, we must always ask ourselves, “Is the one who issued this invitation to a lightweight burden and a simple yoke sincere and in a position?” As we study to belief Him, we are going to discover that what He requires of us doesn’t drain or defeat us however builds us up, whereas that which the world makes use of to sap our vitality and dilute our consideration begins to lose its energy.
Christianity will not be true as a result of it really works, nevertheless it works as a result of it’s true.
But all of this begins with accepting the invitation. If you wish to lay down your burdens, you possibly can start right this moment, with a easy prayer: “Lord, I settle for Your invitation. I do know that You’re good and in a position to assist me. Will You assist me with what I face right this moment?”
This text was tailored from the sermon “Coping with Stress” by Alistair Begg.
