Posts Tagged ‘stressed’

God Bends Down

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Hi friends! I spent the weekend in Winnipeg, speaking at a women’s retreat for The Meeting Place.

Manitoba sunset

Had a fantastic time with 80 precious women! Spent Monday morning doing two interviews with Willard Thiessen for “It’s a New Day” 

Grace and Willard Thiessen

 and the afternoon training a lady who plans to minister in the Ukraine with IM this summer. Returned on Tuesday afternoon. Home sweet home. And now, back to my blog…

The Scriptures contain some amazing visuals about God and His character. Take Psalm 116:1-2, for instance. These verses say, “I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath.”

Picture this! You and I are mere specks among the billions populating the earth and yet God knows us intimately. When we cry out to Him, He recognizes our voices amidst the din. His infinite love for us causes Him to respond by bending down and listening to us.

I liken this to an attentive, loving parent. He/she might be in the middle of performing an important task when his toddler suddenly cries out. The parent drops what he’s doing and rushes to the child’s rescue. When he reaches the toddler, he kneels or bends down to get closer and to hear the youngster’s words.

Thinking about God, my heavenly Father, bending down to listen to my concerns brings me huge encouragement. That visual reminds me that He cherishes me and values relationship with me. It also reminds me that He’s never too busy or too far removed to hear my heart’s cry.

This insight is timely for me. Right now I’m feeling a wee bit stressed wondering how I’ll accomplish several major tasks before heading overseas on July 1. The thought of God bending down to listen to my concerns and prayers for help replaces my stress with a sense of inner calm.

What does it do for you?

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Sure-Fire Remedy for Feeling Stressed

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Sometimes, especially in winter, the skin on hands dries out. I can almost hear it sigh with relief when I apply lotion. Aaaahhh, it seems to say. That feels gooood. My body responds in the same way when I soak in a hot tub after a long trip. And my eyes, strained and bloodshot after an all-night flight or too much time staring at a computer screen, feel refreshed when I treat them with cool drops of Visine.

My heart and my mind are no different. Sometimes I feel wearied by stuff like writing deadlines and the constant demand to keep up with ever-changing technology in the publishing industry. Then there are real life issues, too – we’ve lost three parents in the past two years, moved to a new city and established a national ministry, traveled overseas for ministry seven times, and the list goes on. When responsibilities snowball and stress builds up, my heart and mind simply get tired. But over the years, I’ve discovered a sure-fire remedy to ease that stress and bring relief and refreshment.

Psalm 119:162 says, “Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble.” What a gem this verse is, and how true!

My remedy to stress and feeling overwhelmed is to delve into God’s Word. When I’m tired, His promises reassure me of His strength working in and through me. When I’m baffled about a specific situation, His Word tells me that He’s my resource for infinite wisdom. When I’m feeling kicked around, His Word says He’ll be my defense. When I’m scared about what the future holds, His Word reminds me that He’s sovereign and holds my future in His hands.

I read God’s Word and a great sense of peace washes over me. It calms my anxious heart and stills my fearful mind. It’s  physical and mental effect is undeniable. It’s so real, so viable that I can almost hear my heart and mind say, “Aaaahhh, that feels gooood.”

Maybe you can relate. Do you have a favorite Scripture that gives you peace? If so, please share it with us.

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