Gems For The Journey: Victory In Stress – II Samuel 22:7

BY Rev. Veronica Martin Thomas, (M.Div’07)

In our text, David’s praise is stimulated by his experience with Saul and his own adversaries.  He summed up a lifetime of experiencing God’s unfailing grace.  In extreme danger David, however, calls out to God in distress and his awesome God responds with help.  This word on stress is one that we all have experienced in life and is the result of hurt that has come to us.

Stress is simply the body’s response to changes such as, tension, pressure or anxiety. We are concerned about dealing with undue stress that tends to have a bad, negative effect upon us. We want to avoid extreme stress that would be detrimental to our health, our minds and bodies, and most importantly our Christian testimony. The general conditions of our time are most stressful.

Here are some “don’t’s” for Christians as we strive to cope with stress? Don’t go to pieces when trials come!  On the other hand, don’t harden yourselves like the stoics of old. Some folks look for a scapegoat when hurt comes. Others become vengeful, angry, hostile, and cynical.  Please don’t do that when you are under extreme stress, for it is a poor Christian testimony.  Don’t give over to chronic worry, fear, or self-pity. All of these are “no-nos” for a true child of the King. Why?……Because James tells us, “My brother, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.” J.B. Phillips translates that passage thusly, “When all kinds of trials crowd into your lives, my brother, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance.” Note carefully what James is saying! He does not say, count it joy when you receive a large sum of money, or when you get a clean bill of health from your doctor, or a job promotion. No, count it joy when trials come into your life. Why? Because of the benefit and blessing they bring to our lives. Stress and trials have a way of developing Christian character, maturing our faith, and conforming us into the likeness of Jesus. Simply stated, we are better men and women of God because of stress and trials.  Let us remember the Lord is the only one who can actually help; the implication is, if we truly call on him, he will always hear. In all times of difficulties praise brings immediate deliverance.

Abraham was a better man after his willingness to offer his son. Moses learned much after he poured his heart out to God and learned to organize his work through the counsel of Jethro, his father -in-law. Job came out stronger than ever, after his stress and trials, saying, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now my eyes seeth thee.” Oh, if in our stress and trials we can see the Lord Jesus, high and lifted up, then it will surely be worth is all. Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

When we arrive on that other shore, we will look back in victory, and shout in triumph, “Thank you Lord, for the stress and trials upon earth. They provided patience, character and endurance.”  I do thank you!  Let us respond to the word of God.  Amen. So be it.