Stressed? – seek God for comfort
When we are stressed, it can feel like dark clouds rolling into our life. God understands exactly how frazzled we can feel as we rush about in our very busy lives. Sometimes it seems as though everything is against us, yet God is willing to help:
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9-10
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms Deuteronomy 33:27
But first we must seek God and choose to allow Him into our lives, to be our guide and our comfort:
I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. Psalm 91:14-16
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? Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident. Psalm 27: 1,
Sometimes the pressures of life may make us want to run away and hide, yet even then God understands and is ready and willing to help:
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7-8
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his son is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42: 5,8
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 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. Psalm 46:1-3
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61:1-4
Do you sometimes feel that no matter how hard you try you are getting nowhere? Perhaps it’s because you are trying to do things your own way?
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. Psalm 127:1-2
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
When you are looking for peace of mind, reach for your Bible:
Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26: 3-4
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. Isaiah 30:15
Jesus, the son of God, offers us comfort and encouragement if we put our trust in him:
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. Matthew 11: 28-31
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
If you feel that your life is “stressful” perhaps it’s time to find out more about the life God has planned for you:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11-13
