As we were doing our Thursday night study, one of the questions was what causes stress in your life? It said the 4 most common stress factors are money, family relationships, work and health issues. Those things can bring stress but they are not what I worry about the most. I have been praying and seeking the Lord on this and He is showing me some life patterns that can cause me to have negative reactions and thus stress. Many times it’s a build-up of things undealt with that I’ve not let go of that weigh me down and then there is the last straw on top that causes me to fall – load and all. Then condemnation tries to get me because I let myself react negatively but as I go to the Lord He never fails to comfort me with His words of love.
He is faithful and unchanging even when I change or situations change. When I am in Him I know that I cannot disappoint Him even when I fail. His promises are true and His name is powerful and full of life. His Word is the answer. I am wrapped in His presence and love always but I sometimes let life blind me to who I am. In Him nothing can harm me – not even myself. He remains faithful. His hope keeps me going. I can say, “It is well, It is well with my soul”.
“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in Me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in Me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 Passion Bible
“”Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities and not the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life and now your true life is hidden away in God as you live within the Anointed One. And every time Christ Himself is seen for Who He really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one in His glory.” Colossians 3:2-4 Passion Bible
Wow! His Word is so powerful and gives us the answers we need for all of life. And every time Christ Himself is seen for Who He really is, who you really are will also be revealed.
As I see Him in His glory, as I spend time in His presence just knowing how much He loves, then I will see who I am because I am in Him. In His presence there can be no stress, no strife, no failure, no doubt, no fear. In His presence is the fullness of joy.
This is all I will write this week but these verses are enough to meditate on and put into our hearts. In Him I have peace that passes all understanding and it is well, it is well with my soul. You can also meditate on Psalm 103 written on the back.
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.[a]
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!