September 5, 2010 - Sheepfold Ministries
pastor Phil Roland
The Stress of Labor
Psalm 46
“Labor Day is a great time to reflect the blessings of being able to labor and enjoy it’s fruit, and meet our mutual needs in our free-enterprise, democratic culture.” Pastor Phil
2 Corinthians 4:8-11
“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of
Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
PERPLEXED = aporew - ap-or-eh'-o to have no way out, i.e. be at a loss (mentally) (stand in) doubt, be perplexed, to be stressed
STRESS
Stress can be defined as the wear and tear in the body that is promoted by an inner anger that sometimes converts itself into physical pain or emotional pain. It is a series of automatic responses within us that produces stress. It is not life's situations and circumstances that are stressful, but how we perceive and react to them. A mere thought of a stressful circumstance or situation can cause our hormones to race and our hearts to pound.
STRESS IS AN INESCAPABLE PART OF LIFE
UPHEAVALS IN NATURE - (Stress from Natural Disasters) – v. 2
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” NIV Psalm 46: vs. 1-3
I. WE WILL NOT FEAR -
A. Scripture Affirmations in the Face of Fear
1. God is with you - Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
2. He’s with us wherever we go - Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
“The Stress of Labor,” cont.
3. God is our light, salvation and stronghold - Psalm 27:1
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
4. He gives us His Rest - Matt. 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
B. God Is Our Bridge Over Troubled Social Waters
1. CIVIL DISTURBANCES - (Societal Stress) Verses 4, 5
”There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the
holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she
will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
2. God will be there
II. WE WILL NOT BE MOVED -
A. Stand Fast – 1 Corinthians 16:13
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be
done with love.”
B. Even Through Economic Shaking
1. Temptation to fear
2. God is our provider – Psalm 23:1
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
3. Manna in the wilderness
POST BATTLE FATIGUE (Delayed Stress Syndrome)
III. WE WILL NOT STRIVE
A. Slow Down
1. Smell the roses
2. Take minute vacations
B. We often attempt to “Mood Lift” With Hyper-Activity
***************************************************
SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS:
1. Remember God’s strength is IMMEDIATELY available
2. Remind yourself that God’s strength is OVERPOWERING
3. Hold on to God - (He’s holding on to you!)
4. Confess to God and mankind your own weakness
5. Ask God for His strength
Slow Me Down, Lord
Slow me down, Lord
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, amid the confusion of the day,
the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with
the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art of taking minute vacations. . .
of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat
with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines
from a good book.
Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my
roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values
that I may grow toward the stars of my greater
destiny.
Sheepfold Ministries, 2010
The Stress of Labor, TEXT:
Psalm 46
1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
10“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. NIV |
