Spiritual Stress Busters
Steve Wagers
Matthew 6:25-34
INTRO:
Kevin Carter could never escape his native country South Africa's turmoil. For a decade, he photographed vivid pictures of repression and strife in it. Last year, he went back to a famine-racked Sudan, and came upon a child starving, being stalked by a vulture. He photographed the scene, an image that won him a Pulitzer Prize, then chased the vulture away. As the child resumed her walk to a feeding station, he lit a cigarette, and wept. Two weeks later, at age 33, he pumped carbon monoxide into his pickup truck, and killed himself. His father explained, "Kevin, couldn't escape the stress of his life, and work, long enough to enjoy life!"
One of the greatest problems, and threats that, even we as Christians face, is: STRESS!
Matthew Henry: "As Christians, this thing of stress is the one thing, that can make us stale, ineffective, and cause us not to make a difference. It must be overcome if one is to be a useful Christian!"
Even in this season of good will and cheer, so many find themselves either burned out, or stressed out. A recent NBC/Prevention magazine holiday stress survey revealed that:
---57% felt that they couldn't cope with all the things to do during the holidays
---30% felt that Christmas was the most stressful time of the year
---28% were stressed out over money issues during the holidays
---23% were so stressed that they couldn't even enjoy the holidays
When this ought to be one of the most joyous times of the year, it often is the most stressful time of the year.
What are we to do? How are we to cope? Well, in these 9 verses, Jesus prescribes some relief. He gives three things that, if practiced, will serve as "Spiritual Stress Busters!"
1. TRUST THE FATHER'S CARE (v.25-32)
To open this section on Stress, Jesus gives some very practical advice. How are to combat times of stress, Jesus seems to say, just Trust ...
Steve Wagers
Matthew 6:25-34
INTRO:
Kevin Carter could never escape his native country South Africa's turmoil. For a decade, he photographed vivid pictures of repression and strife in it. Last year, he went back to a famine-racked Sudan, and came upon a child starving, being stalked by a vulture. He photographed the scene, an image that won him a Pulitzer Prize, then chased the vulture away. As the child resumed her walk to a feeding station, he lit a cigarette, and wept. Two weeks later, at age 33, he pumped carbon monoxide into his pickup truck, and killed himself. His father explained, "Kevin, couldn't escape the stress of his life, and work, long enough to enjoy life!"
One of the greatest problems, and threats that, even we as Christians face, is: STRESS!
Matthew Henry: "As Christians, this thing of stress is the one thing, that can make us stale, ineffective, and cause us not to make a difference. It must be overcome if one is to be a useful Christian!"
Even in this season of good will and cheer, so many find themselves either burned out, or stressed out. A recent NBC/Prevention magazine holiday stress survey revealed that:
---57% felt that they couldn't cope with all the things to do during the holidays
---30% felt that Christmas was the most stressful time of the year
---28% were stressed out over money issues during the holidays
---23% were so stressed that they couldn't even enjoy the holidays
When this ought to be one of the most joyous times of the year, it often is the most stressful time of the year.
What are we to do? How are we to cope? Well, in these 9 verses, Jesus prescribes some relief. He gives three things that, if practiced, will serve as "Spiritual Stress Busters!"
1. TRUST THE FATHER'S CARE (v.25-32)
To open this section on Stress, Jesus gives some very practical advice. How are to combat times of stress, Jesus seems to say, just Trust ...
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