Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
Psalm 69:1
Stress…
It is something universal to the human experience, that heart-pounding feeling of having a mountainous task ahead and not enough time, energy, or resources to complete it. In the workplace, it is a feeling that has become closely associated with Mondays in particular.
That is why I thought it a fitting subject for the first installment of a new series on The Cove Blog: Monday Reflections. This series will offer short words of encouragement centered around Bible verses that you can carry with you throughout your week. I pray we can learn and become enriched by God’s Word together! Now, let’s take a look at a few verses of the Bible that address the topic of stress.
Rest for your soul:
“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 11:28-30
How to find rest:
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls…'” -Jeremiah 6:16
No need to stress:
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?'” -Luke 12:22-26
How to maintain inner peace:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:4-7
Nothing can separate us:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38-39
One of the most important things we can do is to simply pause and reflect. Reflecting on God’s goodness and His concern for our rest, even His command that we rest (Ex. 20:8-11), we understand this as a gift. He wants to spend time with us, One on one, Creator to created.
Now, how about we get this week started?
– Macy