Stress! #279

James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NAS)

The International Biblical Encyclopedia defines trials or tribulation as:

 “The Greek word is thlipsis, a "pressing together" (as of grapes), squeezing or pinching (from verb thlibo); used figuratively for "distress," "tribulation"

You would likely call the meaning of the word, STRESS!! Ever have any stress in your life, family, business, church or neighborhood? Maybe the stress is just inside you. What are you dealing with in your life that you would attribute to stress?

The bigger question may be, what is the source of the stress? Could it be the fear of the unknown, or the fear of the known? Could you have taken on more than you are capable of producing? Is the pressure from other people’s expectations placing an undo amount of stress on you?

No doubt there are special times of the year, or specific times in a your life when stress seems to be greatly overblown. Whether it is a holiday, a change in living conditions, a move, a new job, or no job, an illness, a broken relationship, or a failure of some kind or another. It is then that the pressure mounts and life seems out of control.

It is at those moments we need God’s answer to stress. The Book of James gives advice to a group of people who were having all kinds of pressure and stress in their lives. His advice is first to count it all joy. James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. Of course, as most things, it is easier said than done, but God is giving you counsel in order to overcome the stress of life. Why would you ever count it joy? The word for consider means to put it in the ledger as a joy instead of something bad. 

There is a positive outcome of stress as you consider or count it joy. James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.     4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. In order for your life to be mature and complete God uses stress. As you sense stress coming your way, just count it joy. Thank God for what He is doing in your life to grow you and produce the  great plans He has for your life.

_____________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season and all its wonderful activities. It may be a stressful time for you, but take a look at The Encourager devotional for some help. 

Sandy and I are enjoying our family and church activities during this Christmas time. Sunday night we were part of hosting the "Walk Through Bethlehem" at our pastor's home. It is a large backyard that turns into Christmas scenes for a month at Christmas time. We had over 1200 people through the beautiful displays on Sunday night. 

Pray for Susan and Collin. They had a next door neighbor commit suicide on Friday night. They were both pretty shook up over the experience. He was 26 years old. His whole family was home at the time. Susan was able to minister to the family with prayer and comfort. She is good at that. The family needs prayer also. Such a sad thing to happen to any family. We also celebrated her birthday at the beginning of this month.

I will receive my test results on Friday. The report will include the Lab results and the MRI results. I see the oncologist on Friday morning. Continue to pray for good results. 

Sunday I will be preaching again in the Intersect Service in the LOFT at First Baptist Church of Tempe. The theme is still the Christmas story as found in the Books of Luke and Matthew. After Sunday I am scheduled to preach almost every Sunday until the end of July. I thank God for the opportunity. 

Bennett, Burke and Collin have band concerts coming up the next couple of weeks. We look forward to their performances. Collin is now playing in two bands. In one he plays the trumpet and the other he plays percussion. Burke has switched from the trombone to the tuba. Bennett continues not only his percussion but also is in the choir at his school. They are all very talented young men. Both Collin and Burke will turn 13 years old by the end of January; Collin on December 28th and Burke on January 25th. Collin is spending Christmas with his Dad in California this year. It will be his first time away from us at Christmas. I can say that will be hard for me. 

I pray you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and that God blesses you with JOY and PEACE this year. GOD IS GOOD!! Keep your eyes focused on Him during this special time of celebration of the birth of Our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

May you be filled with His JOY.  ~ DGW