Message Series - Pest Control - Part 1 - Controlling The Pest Of Stress - 10-07-12

CONTROLLING THE PEST OF STRESS

This is the age of the half-read page. The quick hash and the mad dash. The bright night and the nerves tight.

The lamp tan in a brief span. The plane hop and the brief stop.

The brain strain and the heart pain.

The cat naps till the spring snaps. And the fun’s done.

THE PURSUIT OF SUCCESS LEADS TO STRESS

Stress is an inevitable part of our lives!

Stress impacts us in many different ways!

Stress can be very destructive if we let it!

Stress can never be totally removed, but it can be managed!

OUR WORRIES AND STRESS BECOME A “PEST”

2 Sides of the same coin: stress and worry!

Don’t worry about anything…

(Philippians 4:6 – Living Bible)

Assuming responsibilities that God never intended for me to have!

The things we stress over and worry about:

40% never happen

The things we stress over and worry about:

30% concern the past

The things we stress over and worry about:

12% needless about health concerns

The things we stress over and worry about:

10% insignificant or petty issues

The things we stress over and worry about:

8% legitimate concerns

(Jesus) "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own."

(Matthew 6:34 – New International Version)

Let’s review . . .

THE PURSUIT OF SUCCESS LEADS TO STRESS

OUR WORRIES AND STRESS BECOME A “PEST”

Now here is the good news . . .

OUR GOD CAN TURN YOUR STRESS INTO REST

It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night...

God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.

(Psalm 127:2 –Living Bible)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you.

Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

(Matthew 11:28-29 – New Living Translation)

R

Realize how much you are worth!

God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things he made.

(James 1:18 – New Century Version)

...your heavenly Father feeds the (sparrows), you are far more valuable to him than they are.

(Matthew 6:26 – Living Bible

God says, "I have engraved you on the palms of my hands".

(Isaiah 49:16 – New International Version)

You matter to God!

He loves You!

As your Father, He wants to take care of You!

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life —whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.

Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

Look at the birds.

They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.

And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

(Matthew 6:25-26 - New Living Translation)

. . . not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

(Matthew 10:29-31- New Living Translation)

If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 – New International Version)

E

Enjoy what you already have!

All of us should...enjoy what we have worked for; it is God's gift.

(Ecclesiastes 3:13 –Good News Bible)

"It is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time..."

(Ecclesiastes 4:6 – Good News Bible)

Most Americans have a bad case of AFFLUENZA

KEY WORD: Contentment “Happiness with one's situation in life”

What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief;

even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless. A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.

This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

(Ecclesiastes 2:22-25 - New International Version)

. . . contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world,

and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

(1 Timothy 6:6-8 - New Living Translation)

I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.

I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.

Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

(Philippians 4:11-13 - The Message)

S

Stop working and take a break!

Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work!

(Ecclesiastes 10:15 – Good News Bible)

The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you . . . and I will give you rest — everything will be fine for you.”

(Exodus 33:14 - New Living Translation)

The 4 R’s

RELAX

RECHARGE

REFOCUS

RESUME

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

(Mark 8:36 – New International Version)

T

Take all of your stress, worry and pressure and give it to the Lord

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

(1 Peter 5:7 – New Living Translation)

Are you tired? Worn out?

Burned out on religion?

Come to me. Get away with me, you'll recover your life.

I'll show you how to take a real rest.

(Matthew 11:28 – The Message)

He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak . . .

But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky;

they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired. (Isaiah 40:29, 31 New Century Version)

LET’S PRAY TOGETHER

Next Sunday Part 2 Of Our Series Join us as Pastor Chuck shares a message titled, “CONTROLLING THE PEST OF FEAR”