"The LORD is a refuge... a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You."
~ Psalm 9:9-10
Sometimes it seems we live in an intense world, does it not?
People send an email, they expect an instant response.
You get a text... it's been 5 minutes, why haven't you replied?
An instant gratification world makes for elevated stress.
And, really, there's nothing else that's stressful in the world is there?!
Certainly not the impacts of the comparison game that comes with social media or the realities of disruptive global events, or... or... or...
I'm sure you're impervious to any and all such things. You haven't even noticed!
... She says with an eye roll and a touch of silly nonsensical whimsy.
Can you think of a Biblical role model for moments in life when it all seems to be too much?
Our Ultimate Role Model perhaps?
When I do physical therapy and it hurts a whole heap and whatever boundary I'm pushing is hard, really hard, I think of my Savior carrying His cross up Calvary, and I think, if You could do that, I know You have the strength for this.
If He is my strength, that is a strength I have the privilege of tapping into, is it not?
By the same token, as I was thinking of role models for when it all seems too much, I thought of our Savior in the hours before He was betrayed.
What can we learn from His example?
So often in this modern world, we have somehow placed on ourselves an expectation that being stressed is, I don't know, maybe unseemly?
Don't get me wrong, we want to do our best to walk through the world with ease and grace, for the sake of all concerned, but... the experience of stress is human.
We can learn to leverage it well. We should learn to manage it as well as we can.
But, I think we should be careful about guilting ourselves over the experience of being stressed.
Granted, He was about to take the sins of the world to the cross, but the Savior endured a stress so great that He sweat blood.
Not to mention, He showed us in that moment that it's really okay to ask the Father for things to be different.
"... My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." ~ Matthew 26:39
The answer may be no, or not yet, or change is a breath away. Who knows. Only He does.
But, I don't think the Father ever faults us for asking if it is possible for circumstances to change... please and thank You very much.
We can ask our friends, our most trusted people, to stand with us.
They may fail. But, some will try, and that means something. It means a lot actually. The heart that is willing is to be treasured.
We can go to nature, into creation.
We can pray... we must pray.
On the eve of His world ending and our world changing forever, Yeshua, the Son of God set these examples for us.
Worthy of consideration and indeed emulation, don't you think?
Abba Father,
Thank You for sending Your Son to demonstrate The Way for us.
Thank You for making Him human, so He would be able to show us You/He know/s and understand(s.)
Thank You for being our resting place, for making our yoke light, for helping us to not only seek You, but to discern Your Will and Your Way and to have the grace and courage to walk in it.
Amen.
"This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls...'" ~ Jeremiah 6:16
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" ~ Psalm 91:1-2
"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." ~ Matthew 11:29-30
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
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