Welcome to Wednesday. We’re half-way through the week in the Pastor’s Workshop!
As you know this week we’re looking into a very practical “blessing” of prayer. How can we go from being “Stressed Out” to being “Centered In”? Our Scripture, Philippians 4:6-7, holds the key. “Don’t worry about anything. But In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”
On Wednesday we look at the context of the text. Often we explore the historical or textual setting of the Scripture. Today I’ve chosen to stay “experiential”. Let’s think briefly about the opposite of being in prayer. Let’s talk about being in panic.
Actually, that’s a bit over dramatic. But I do want to think about the path that leads to panic. Since the Apostle begins saying, “Don’t Worry…”, I want to look into worry.
Worry often starts with stress. Stress is a normal, natural part of life. Stress comes with the challenges and changes of daily living. Particularly in these days of the pandemic, we know about stress!
Some stress in life is good. It keeps us engaged and energized in whatever we’re doing. The problem comes when we have too much stress for too long. When that happens we go from being “Stressed” to becoming “Stressed Out”.
There is a pathway, a progression we “walk” when we go from being “Stressed” to becoming “Stressed Out”. The first step in the path is worry. Worry is an indicator. Worry lets me know, “Fear is becoming part of my reaction to my stress.” If I don’t pay attention to this “worry indicator” and address my stress then fear grows. As fear builds the progression goes from Worry to Being Anxious, Being Anxious to Anxiety, Anxiety to Panic. Of course this progression happens over time, often a long time. But I think we all, at one point or another, have walked this path.
We know being on this path is not good for our health. It’s not good for our physical health – sleepless nights and heart palpitations aren’t good! It’s not good for our mental health. We make rash decisions. It’s not good for our emotional health. We lash out at others. It’s not good for our relational health. When we’re not at a “good place” we’re hard to live with. Others often bear the consequences. Being “Stressed Out” is not good in any way, shape, fashion or form!
So when the Apostle says, “Don’t worry…”, his counsel is don’t start down this path. Recognize the early warning signs of worry and do something about them. Pray! Instead of reacting in fear, respond in faith. Instead of becoming “Stressed Out” follow a path of “Centering In”.
What great and timely advice! What this Scripture lets us know is that “Worry” has been a problem for a long time --- at least 2,000 years. But God has been around longer! What worked then, will work today! Pray!
What are your thoughts about stress and worry, anxiety and fear? As we think about these “contrasts” to the Scripture today, how have these realities been part of your life? How did they start and where did they lead? How do they highlight your need for God’s “answer”, your need for Prayer?
Jot down your thoughts. Record your reflections. Your experience will lead you into your need for prayer, and through its practice, into the peace God gives.
In that blessing, I’ll let you get to work and see you tomorrow in the Pastor’s Workshop!
Prayer: Gracious God, we know stress is part of life. In the midst of our stress be at work by Your Spirit. Help us pay attention to the warning of “worry”. Let us give our worry “wings” and turn our cares into prayers. Strengthen our faith in the midst of our fear that we may follow You in the path of peace You provide. This we pray in the name of One who is our Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen