CHAOS!

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

We all go through times of confusion and upheaval in our lives.  While these experiences are inevitable, certainly, they are not ones we enjoy.

Maybe, it's a loss of a job or too much on your plate at work which sends you into a tailspin.  Perhaps, you're having issues with your spouse, significant other, or your child.  Or, you've lost a loved one, and the demands of life as you grieve are just too much.

Everything around you is CHAOS - Can't Handle Any Overwhelming Stress!

And, sometimes, our stresses can affect us not just mentally, but physically, too.  These physical manifestations can take any number of forms.  Can imitate serious health problems even when there are none.

In his book, Crazy Love, Christian author and pastor, Francis Chan, describes such an ordeal:

I had never experienced heart problems until a couple of years ago when I began to have heart palpitations.  Over time they became more frequent, and this worried me.

I finally told my wife.  In case something happened to me, I didn't want it to come as a complete shock.  She suggested I go to the doctor, but I resisted because I'm stubborn and that's what I do.

You see, when I was honest I knew what the problem was.  I was immersed in and overcome by stress.  It was the Christmas season, and I had to take care of and think about a lot of things.

But, on Christmas Eve the issue intensified so much that I told my wife I would go to the emergency room after the church service.  During the service, however, I surrendered all of my worries and stress to God.  My symptoms slowly went away, and I never went to the doctor.

Now, I'm not suggesting to you, nor do I think Pastor Chan is, that you ignore serious health issues if you are suffering from them.  By all means, see a doctor!  But, before you do, place all your worries and stress in the hands of the Great Physician.

Pastor Emily recently shared with me how she now defines CHAOS when everything seems to be in crisis and out of control.  Wow!  Did this ever speak to my heart!

CHAOS - Christ Has An Obvious Solution

Yes.  He.  Does.

I think we would all do well to remember that . . . 

~

How do you handle stress in your life?

Will you pray with me?

We are so thankful, Father, than when we are weary and burdened, or just plain stressed out, that we can know Your peace, Your comfort, Your rest.  May we always seek You first in times of trouble, knowing You will carry us through.  Amen.

You can order Francis' book, Crazy Love, here.