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BLESSED IN STRESS

By November 29, 2017Daily Devotionals

BLESSED IN STRESS
November 29, 2017

Prayer: Dear Lord, we are held and helped by You in our trials and we want to remember this today. Thank You for listening to our prayers. Amen.

Scripture: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”  So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV


How do people respond to stress? Some people get moody or ill-tempered. Others eat. Some people get physically sick. Some work themselves almost to death trying to finish and fix everything. Others throw your hands in the air and walk away hoping it will all just go away. Some spend more time talking about the problem than actually doing something about it while others close up and suffer silently. Sadly, some people turn to alcohol or drugs, even prescription drugs to relieve the feelings of stress, but it actually only adds to the causes of their stress. I am sure I did not name them all. What are some responses to stress you have seen?

How do you respond to stress? Over the years, with your walk with God, have your responses changed at all? If so, how have they changed? Do your react or respond? What is the difference? Do you find it interesting that different things stress people out? In other words, what freaks out one person may not seem like a big deal to you and vice-versa? What types of things cause you stress? Be careful not to judge on another’s stressors, remember that we are all different, with different experiences.

Today’s Scripture verses give us a list of responses to follow when we are suffering as a result of bearing the name of Christ, in persecution, being insulted, put through a painful trial. I would suggest that all suffering can result in God’s glory. Remember, I asked you not to judge each other’s stressors. What stresses you out definitely stresses out someone else in the world. If they see you trust God, claim joy, and proclaim His glory, they will watch and learn from you, especially if they have observed one of your less-than –glorifying responses before and now see a change in you to now respond with deliberate faith instead debilitating reactions.

Read the verses again and pick out the responses we should follow.

  1. Do not be surprised – we are imperfect people in an imperfect world.
  2. Rejoice -at the opportunity to learn and glorify Christ and Christ in you.
  3. You are blessed – you have been, you are and you will be; remember that.
  4. Don’t bring it on yourself – verse 15 reminds us that suffering as a result of our own sin is different than being a victim of it.
  5. Commit yourself to God – focus on Him and follow His Word
  6. Continue to do good- continue to do the righteous thing for the righteous reason, don’t compromise or give up, pray, persevere and praise.

My prayer for you is that you would always be blessed in times of stress.

Copyright Kathy Branzell. Email [email protected]