Anchors In The Storm

S

ome years ago as I lay in a hospital bed, I overheard two women talking in a waiting room outside my door. Eviow o dently the husband of one of them was in critical condition. andle ear She had been under extreme stress and was greatly conRead: cerned about his recovery. She Psalm 56:1-13 said to her friend, “You know, when you’re as worried as I But when I am afraid, am, you just have to smoke!”

I will put my trust in That made me think about you. —Psalm 56:3 how people handle their fears.

Some turn to alcohol, others turn to food, and some to busyness. The psalmist gave us a better solution to the problem of fear. He said, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (56:3). It’s tragic when we turn to something other than the Lord to fill the void or cover up the pain we’re feeling.

If we have put our faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, we can have confidence that our heavenly Father sees us in our trials and has promised His protection. In times of distress, we can place our trust in the Lord.

He wants us to call on Him so that He can encourage us with His presence and give us His peace.

As you rest in the Lord and rely on Him today, you will be able to say with the psalmist, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” —Richard De Haan Day 5

H T H F

Nothing is hid from His all-seeing eye, Never a teardrop nor even a sigh; Anxious and troubled you never need be— Trust Him completely and doubtings will flee. —Nienhuis When fear knocks at your door, let faith open it.

OccODB-stress120110.indd 1

I

t turns out that we humans reason largely by means of our hearts and not by our heads.

As French mathematician and he ord s theologian Blaise Pascal noted long ago, “The heart has reasons y ock that reason does not know.”

Poets, singers, storytellers, Read: and artists have always known Psalm 18:1-3 this. They use symbols and metaphors that speak to our hearts The Lord is my rock, rather than to our minds. That’s my fortress, and my why their ideas penetrate where savior; my God is everything else has failed. And my rock, in whom that’s why we say, “A picture I find protection.

—Psalm 18:2 is worth a thousand words.”

Images remain in our minds when all else is forgotten.

David wrote, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress . . . my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (Psalm 18:2). He was thinking of physical elements that convey spiritual realities. Each picture expresses a deeper thought, linking the visible world to the invisible realm of the Spirit. David doesn’t wander into definition and explanation, for explanation can blunt imagination. Each picture is left hanging in our minds—images that evoke mystery, arouse our imagination, and deepen our understanding.

David wakes up what is hidden deep within us.

It’s good to think long thoughts about it. What does this mean to you: God is my rock, my fortress, my shield? —David H. Roper

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, Day 6

T L M R

I

A shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A shelter in the time of storm. —Charlesworth To survive the storms of life, be anchored to the Rock of Ages.

RBC Ministries Australia Limited PO Box 393, Glen Waverley VIC 3150, Australia Tel: (+61-3) 9574-7780, Fax: (+61-3) 9574-7787 RBC Ministries Limited PO Box 74025, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2626-1102, Fax: (+852) 2626-0216 RBC Indonesia PO Box 2500, Jakarta 11025, Indonesia Tel: (+62-21) 544-2152, Fax: (+62-21) 5435-1975 RBC Ministries Japan PO Box 46, Ikoma Nara-Ken, 630-0291 Japan Tel: (+81-743) 75-8230, Fax: (+81-743) 75-8299 RBC Resource Centre Berhad PO Box 86, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80057 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel: (+060-7) 335-5919, Fax: (+060-7) 335-7828 RBC Ministries New Zealand PO Box 303095, North Harbour, North Shore City 0751, New Zealand Tel: (+64-9) 444-4146, Fax: (+64-9) 444-4156 RBC Ministries Foundation PO Box 68-325, Taipei 104, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel: (+886-2) 2541-7911, Fax: (+886-2) 2523-9184 RBC Ministries Thailand PO Box 35, Huamark, Bangkok 10243, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 718-51667, Fax: (+66-2) 718-6016 RBC Ministries Asia Limited MacPherson Road Post Office, PO Box 146, Singapore 913405 Tel: (+65) 6858-0900, Fax: (+65) 6858-0400

JB854

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

Anchors In The

Storm

Finding Refuge in the Storms of Stress

Anchors in the Storm We live stressful lives. At every turn, we are hardpressed and pressured by life’s circumstances and challenges. Stress has become our way of life.

Stress isn’t always bad. Performing under pressure motivates us to do our best. But when we are constantly running in emergency mode, our minds and bodies pay the price. Stress-related illnesses are on the rise. Medical statistics indicate that 75 percent of all doctor visits are stress related. But it’s not stress that kills us; it is our reaction to it. And our response to stress is something we can choose.

These selections from Our Daily Bread will not take away the stress in your life. But we hope these readings will lead you to the One who can give you peace of mind.

If you have enjoyed these articles and would like to receive a copy of Our Daily Bread, just complete the request form in this brochure and return it to us. There is no subscription fee.

© 2010 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

29/07/2010 12:34 PM

S

ome years ago as I lay in a hospital bed, I overheard two women talking in a waiting room outside my door. Eviow o dently the husband of one of them was in critical condition. andle ear She had been under extreme stress and was greatly conRead: cerned about his recovery. She Psalm 56:1-13 said to her friend, “You know, when you’re as worried as I But when I am afraid, am, you just have to smoke!”

I will put my trust in That made me think about you. —Psalm 56:3 how people handle their fears.

Some turn to alcohol, others turn to food, and some to busyness. The psalmist gave us a better solution to the problem of fear. He said, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (56:3). It’s tragic when we turn to something other than the Lord to fill the void or cover up the pain we’re feeling.

If we have put our faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, we can have confidence that our heavenly Father sees us in our trials and has promised His protection. In times of distress, we can place our trust in the Lord.

He wants us to call on Him so that He can encourage us with His presence and give us His peace.

As you rest in the Lord and rely on Him today, you will be able to say with the psalmist, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” —Richard De Haan Day 5

H T H F

Nothing is hid from His all-seeing eye, Never a teardrop nor even a sigh; Anxious and troubled you never need be— Trust Him completely and doubtings will flee. —Nienhuis When fear knocks at your door, let faith open it.

OccODB-stress120110.indd 1

I

t turns out that we humans reason largely by means of our hearts and not by our heads.

As French mathematician and he ord s theologian Blaise Pascal noted long ago, “The heart has reasons y ock that reason does not know.”

Poets, singers, storytellers, Read: and artists have always known Psalm 18:1-3 this. They use symbols and metaphors that speak to our hearts The Lord is my rock, rather than to our minds. That’s my fortress, and my why their ideas penetrate where savior; my God is everything else has failed. And my rock, in whom that’s why we say, “A picture I find protection.

—Psalm 18:2 is worth a thousand words.”

Images remain in our minds when all else is forgotten.

David wrote, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress . . . my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (Psalm 18:2). He was thinking of physical elements that convey spiritual realities. Each picture expresses a deeper thought, linking the visible world to the invisible realm of the Spirit. David doesn’t wander into definition and explanation, for explanation can blunt imagination. Each picture is left hanging in our minds—images that evoke mystery, arouse our imagination, and deepen our understanding.

David wakes up what is hidden deep within us.

It’s good to think long thoughts about it. What does this mean to you: God is my rock, my fortress, my shield? —David H. Roper

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, Day 6

T L M R

I

A shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A shelter in the time of storm. —Charlesworth To survive the storms of life, be anchored to the Rock of Ages.

RBC Ministries Australia Limited PO Box 393, Glen Waverley VIC 3150, Australia Tel: (+61-3) 9574-7780, Fax: (+61-3) 9574-7787 RBC Ministries Limited PO Box 74025, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2626-1102, Fax: (+852) 2626-0216 RBC Indonesia PO Box 2500, Jakarta 11025, Indonesia Tel: (+62-21) 544-2152, Fax: (+62-21) 5435-1975 RBC Ministries Japan PO Box 46, Ikoma Nara-Ken, 630-0291 Japan Tel: (+81-743) 75-8230, Fax: (+81-743) 75-8299 RBC Resource Centre Berhad PO Box 86, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80057 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel: (+060-7) 335-5919, Fax: (+060-7) 335-7828 RBC Ministries New Zealand PO Box 303095, North Harbour, North Shore City 0751, New Zealand Tel: (+64-9) 444-4146, Fax: (+64-9) 444-4156 RBC Ministries Foundation PO Box 68-325, Taipei 104, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel: (+886-2) 2541-7911, Fax: (+886-2) 2523-9184 RBC Ministries Thailand PO Box 35, Huamark, Bangkok 10243, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 718-51667, Fax: (+66-2) 718-6016 RBC Ministries Asia Limited MacPherson Road Post Office, PO Box 146, Singapore 913405 Tel: (+65) 6858-0900, Fax: (+65) 6858-0400

JB854

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

Anchors In The

Storm

Finding Refuge in the Storms of Stress

Anchors in the Storm We live stressful lives. At every turn, we are hardpressed and pressured by life’s circumstances and challenges. Stress has become our way of life.

Stress isn’t always bad. Performing under pressure motivates us to do our best. But when we are constantly running in emergency mode, our minds and bodies pay the price. Stress-related illnesses are on the rise. Medical statistics indicate that 75 percent of all doctor visits are stress related. But it’s not stress that kills us; it is our reaction to it. And our response to stress is something we can choose.

These selections from Our Daily Bread will not take away the stress in your life. But we hope these readings will lead you to the One who can give you peace of mind.

If you have enjoyed these articles and would like to receive a copy of Our Daily Bread, just complete the request form in this brochure and return it to us. There is no subscription fee.

© 2010 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

29/07/2010 12:34 PM

I would like to receive additional reading materials.

Please send Our Daily Bread to me at the address below.

Please send related Christian materials for my further reading.

IMPORTANT: WE CANNOT PROCESS REQUESTS MADE ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER WITHOUT CONSENT. We assure you that your privacy will be respected, and we will not share your name with any other organisation.

Gender (M/F):

Postcode:

(HP)

Full Name:

Address:

(Office)

Church: Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY):

Tel: (Home)

Occupation:

E-mail:

Return this form to the RBC Ministries office nearest you! (see list on last page) JB854

OccODB-stress120110.indd 2

A

television commercial asks, “What do you reach for when you’re stressed?” Then it suggests, “Reach for [our product].” each or The numbers of ways people try to deal with serious stresses in Read: life are as numerous as there are Psalm 55:1-7,22 people. Having a drink. Blaming God. Stuffing ourselves with food. Keeping our feelings inside.

Blaming others. These responses might calm us, but they’re just a Oh, that I had wings temporary means of escaping our like a dove; then I problems. No product we reach would fly away and for can take them away. rest! —Psalm 55:6 In Psalm 55, King David described his desire to escape from his difficulties: “My heart pounds in my chest. . . . Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!” (vv.4,6). After the betrayal of his friend and counselor Ahithophel, who had gone to help his enemy, David wanted to get away (vv.12-13; see 2 Sam. 15). In this psalm, he tells us that he reached out to God in his pain (vv.4-5,16).

What do we reach for? Author Susan Lenzkes suggests that we reach out to God and pour out our heart to Him. She writes, “It’s all right—questions, pain, and stabbing anger can be poured out to the Infinite One and He will not be damaged. . . . For we beat on His chest from within the circle of His arms.” —Anne Cetas Day 1

R

F ...

I

am often asked to speak on the subject of stress. I’m not an expert on stress, just an experienced sufferer! I simply share eglected counsel from God’s Word that helps me live less stressfully and emedy more restfully. Many listeners are desperate for any new insight Read: I might offer. What blank looks 1 Kings 19:1-18 I sometimes get when I make this particular recommendation: “Get more sleep!” In their longIn peace I will lie ing to deepen their experience down and sleep, for of God’s peace, they were hopyou alone, O Lord, ing for something more spiritual will keep me safe. than that.

—Psalm 4:8 But I’m not alone in linking spirituality to sleep. A godly Bible teacher was asked to share the key ingredient in his own life for walking in the Spirit. He studied the Bible and prayed regularly, but his surprising reply was this: “Get 8 hours of sleep each night.”

This reply is less surprising in light of God’s initial remedy for Elijah’s stress and depression (1 Kings 19:118). Twice God gave him food and undisturbed sleep before gently confronting him at Mt. Horeb with his error.

Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Sleep is not the full remedy for stress, but other solutions can become clearer to people who get adequate rest.

Day 2

AN R

—Joanie Yoder

W

T

ith appealing humor, Ron Hutchcraft, busy author, speaker, and counselor, tells about his battle with stress. One nterview ith day Ron decided to “interview” the family gerbil. erbil “Tell me, Gerbie,” Ron asked, “what do you have planned for Read: today?”

Psalm 34 “First, breakfast,” he replied, “and then get started.”

“Doing what?” Ron quesSearch for peace, and tioned. work to maintain it.

“Why, the same thing I did yes—Psalm 34:14 terday, and the day before that.”

“What’s that?” Ron asked again.

“The wheel.”

And sure enough, Gerbie climbed on his little wheel and started running in circles. Hours later, he was still running.

The more Ron watched that gerbil, the more he saw himself. He had his own personal “wheels”— demands, deadlines, aggravations, ambitions. He felt as if he was running in circles, and he longed for peace. In his search, he made this discovery in Psalm 34: Peace isn’t automatic or passive; it must be pursued. Not only that, but peace is also a result of a right relationship with the Lord.

As never before, Ron enthroned the Lord as the Shepherd of his life. As he did, peace, instead of the stressful wheel, became normal. Which will be normal for you today? —Joanie Yoder

he psalmist David had his dark, lonely nights when everything seemed out of control. Doubts and fears assailed leepless him, and there was no escape from his problems. He tossed ights and turned just as we do, but then he turned to his ShepRead: herd (Psalm 23:1) and reminded Psalm 16:1-11 himself of the Lord’s presence.

That brought peace to his anxious, troubled soul. David said, I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on “I know the Lord is always with you through the night. me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me” (16:8).

—Psalm 63:6 We too have occasions of wakefulness when anxious thoughts jostle one another for attention, when we curse the darkness, and when we long for sleep. But we mustn’t fret, for darkness can be our friend. God is present in it, visiting us, counseling us, instructing us in the night. Perhaps on our beds, as nowhere else, we may hear God’s voice. We can listen to His thoughts and meditate on His Word.

We can talk to the Lord about every concern, casting our care on Him (1 Peter 5:7). We can talk about our failures, our conflicts, our challenges, our anxieties, our frustrations over His lengthy delays—all the things that stress us out and render us sleepless—and listen to what He has to say. That’s what can set us apart from ordinary insomniacs. That’s the secret of quiet rest. —David H. Roper

Day 3

I AG

W

Day 4

S N

Christian, when your way seems darkest, When your eyes with tears are dim, Straight to God your Father hastening, Tell your troubles all to Him. —Anon.

When life is so busy and hectic and humming, You’re uptight and frazzled and stressed; Slow down for a while and spend time with the Savior, And be sure to get adequate rest. —Fitzhugh

Give me a heart of calm repose Amid the world’s loud roar, A life that like a river flows Along a peaceful shore. —Anon.

I couldn’t sleep last night, but did not toss And count my wakefulness a dreadful loss; Ah, no! I was quite glad to lose my sleep— I had such wondrous company to keep! —Seller

When we put our cares into God’s hands, He puts His peace into our hearts.

We can sleep in peace when we remember that God is awake.

For peace that lasts, put God first.

When you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep.

Talk to the Shepherd.

29/07/2010 12:34 PM

I would like to receive additional reading materials.

Please send Our Daily Bread to me at the address below.

Please send related Christian materials for my further reading.

IMPORTANT: WE CANNOT PROCESS REQUESTS MADE ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER WITHOUT CONSENT. We assure you that your privacy will be respected, and we will not share your name with any other organisation.

Gender (M/F):

Postcode:

(HP)

Full Name:

Address:

(Office)

Church: Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY):

Tel: (Home)

Occupation:

E-mail:

Return this form to the RBC Ministries office nearest you! (see list on last page) JB854

OccODB-stress120110.indd 2

A

television commercial asks, “What do you reach for when you’re stressed?” Then it suggests, “Reach for [our product].” each or The numbers of ways people try to deal with serious stresses in Read: life are as numerous as there are Psalm 55:1-7,22 people. Having a drink. Blaming God. Stuffing ourselves with food. Keeping our feelings inside.

Blaming others. These responses might calm us, but they’re just a Oh, that I had wings temporary means of escaping our like a dove; then I problems. No product we reach would fly away and for can take them away. rest! —Psalm 55:6 In Psalm 55, King David described his desire to escape from his difficulties: “My heart pounds in my chest. . . . Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!” (vv.4,6). After the betrayal of his friend and counselor Ahithophel, who had gone to help his enemy, David wanted to get away (vv.12-13; see 2 Sam. 15). In this psalm, he tells us that he reached out to God in his pain (vv.4-5,16).

What do we reach for? Author Susan Lenzkes suggests that we reach out to God and pour out our heart to Him. She writes, “It’s all right—questions, pain, and stabbing anger can be poured out to the Infinite One and He will not be damaged. . . . For we beat on His chest from within the circle of His arms.” —Anne Cetas Day 1

R

F ...

I

am often asked to speak on the subject of stress. I’m not an expert on stress, just an experienced sufferer! I simply share eglected counsel from God’s Word that helps me live less stressfully and emedy more restfully. Many listeners are desperate for any new insight Read: I might offer. What blank looks 1 Kings 19:1-18 I sometimes get when I make this particular recommendation: “Get more sleep!” In their longIn peace I will lie ing to deepen their experience down and sleep, for of God’s peace, they were hopyou alone, O Lord, ing for something more spiritual will keep me safe. than that.

—Psalm 4:8 But I’m not alone in linking spirituality to sleep. A godly Bible teacher was asked to share the key ingredient in his own life for walking in the Spirit. He studied the Bible and prayed regularly, but his surprising reply was this: “Get 8 hours of sleep each night.”

This reply is less surprising in light of God’s initial remedy for Elijah’s stress and depression (1 Kings 19:118). Twice God gave him food and undisturbed sleep before gently confronting him at Mt. Horeb with his error.

Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Sleep is not the full remedy for stress, but other solutions can become clearer to people who get adequate rest.

Day 2

AN R

—Joanie Yoder

W

T

ith appealing humor, Ron Hutchcraft, busy author, speaker, and counselor, tells about his battle with stress. One nterview ith day Ron decided to “interview” the family gerbil. erbil “Tell me, Gerbie,” Ron asked, “what do you have planned for Read: today?”

Psalm 34 “First, breakfast,” he replied, “and then get started.”

“Doing what?” Ron quesSearch for peace, and tioned. work to maintain it.

“Why, the same thing I did yes—Psalm 34:14 terday, and the day before that.”

“What’s that?” Ron asked again.

“The wheel.”

And sure enough, Gerbie climbed on his little wheel and started running in circles. Hours later, he was still running.

The more Ron watched that gerbil, the more he saw himself. He had his own personal “wheels”— demands, deadlines, aggravations, ambitions. He felt as if he was running in circles, and he longed for peace. In his search, he made this discovery in Psalm 34: Peace isn’t automatic or passive; it must be pursued. Not only that, but peace is also a result of a right relationship with the Lord.

As never before, Ron enthroned the Lord as the Shepherd of his life. As he did, peace, instead of the stressful wheel, became normal. Which will be normal for you today? —Joanie Yoder

he psalmist David had his dark, lonely nights when everything seemed out of control. Doubts and fears assailed leepless him, and there was no escape from his problems. He tossed ights and turned just as we do, but then he turned to his ShepRead: herd (Psalm 23:1) and reminded Psalm 16:1-11 himself of the Lord’s presence.

That brought peace to his anxious, troubled soul. David said, I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on “I know the Lord is always with you through the night. me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me” (16:8).

—Psalm 63:6 We too have occasions of wakefulness when anxious thoughts jostle one another for attention, when we curse the darkness, and when we long for sleep. But we mustn’t fret, for darkness can be our friend. God is present in it, visiting us, counseling us, instructing us in the night. Perhaps on our beds, as nowhere else, we may hear God’s voice. We can listen to His thoughts and meditate on His Word.

We can talk to the Lord about every concern, casting our care on Him (1 Peter 5:7). We can talk about our failures, our conflicts, our challenges, our anxieties, our frustrations over His lengthy delays—all the things that stress us out and render us sleepless—and listen to what He has to say. That’s what can set us apart from ordinary insomniacs. That’s the secret of quiet rest. —David H. Roper

Day 3

I AG

W

Day 4

S N

Christian, when your way seems darkest, When your eyes with tears are dim, Straight to God your Father hastening, Tell your troubles all to Him. —Anon.

When life is so busy and hectic and humming, You’re uptight and frazzled and stressed; Slow down for a while and spend time with the Savior, And be sure to get adequate rest. —Fitzhugh

Give me a heart of calm repose Amid the world’s loud roar, A life that like a river flows Along a peaceful shore. —Anon.

I couldn’t sleep last night, but did not toss And count my wakefulness a dreadful loss; Ah, no! I was quite glad to lose my sleep— I had such wondrous company to keep! —Seller

When we put our cares into God’s hands, He puts His peace into our hearts.

We can sleep in peace when we remember that God is awake.

For peace that lasts, put God first.

When you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep.

Talk to the Shepherd.

29/07/2010 12:34 PM

I would like to receive additional reading materials.

Please send Our Daily Bread to me at the address below.

Please send related Christian materials for my further reading.

IMPORTANT: WE CANNOT PROCESS REQUESTS MADE ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER WITHOUT CONSENT. We assure you that your privacy will be respected, and we will not share your name with any other organisation.

Gender (M/F):

Postcode:

(HP)

Full Name:

Address:

(Office)

Church: Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY):

Tel: (Home)

Occupation:

E-mail:

Return this form to the RBC Ministries office nearest you! (see list on last page) JB854

OccODB-stress120110.indd 2

A

television commercial asks, “What do you reach for when you’re stressed?” Then it suggests, “Reach for [our product].” each or The numbers of ways people try to deal with serious stresses in Read: life are as numerous as there are Psalm 55:1-7,22 people. Having a drink. Blaming God. Stuffing ourselves with food. Keeping our feelings inside.

Blaming others. These responses might calm us, but they’re just a Oh, that I had wings temporary means of escaping our like a dove; then I problems. No product we reach would fly away and for can take them away. rest! —Psalm 55:6 In Psalm 55, King David described his desire to escape from his difficulties: “My heart pounds in my chest. . . . Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!” (vv.4,6). After the betrayal of his friend and counselor Ahithophel, who had gone to help his enemy, David wanted to get away (vv.12-13; see 2 Sam. 15). In this psalm, he tells us that he reached out to God in his pain (vv.4-5,16).

What do we reach for? Author Susan Lenzkes suggests that we reach out to God and pour out our heart to Him. She writes, “It’s all right—questions, pain, and stabbing anger can be poured out to the Infinite One and He will not be damaged. . . . For we beat on His chest from within the circle of His arms.” —Anne Cetas Day 1

R

F ...

I

am often asked to speak on the subject of stress. I’m not an expert on stress, just an experienced sufferer! I simply share eglected counsel from God’s Word that helps me live less stressfully and emedy more restfully. Many listeners are desperate for any new insight Read: I might offer. What blank looks 1 Kings 19:1-18 I sometimes get when I make this particular recommendation: “Get more sleep!” In their longIn peace I will lie ing to deepen their experience down and sleep, for of God’s peace, they were hopyou alone, O Lord, ing for something more spiritual will keep me safe. than that.

—Psalm 4:8 But I’m not alone in linking spirituality to sleep. A godly Bible teacher was asked to share the key ingredient in his own life for walking in the Spirit. He studied the Bible and prayed regularly, but his surprising reply was this: “Get 8 hours of sleep each night.”

This reply is less surprising in light of God’s initial remedy for Elijah’s stress and depression (1 Kings 19:118). Twice God gave him food and undisturbed sleep before gently confronting him at Mt. Horeb with his error.

Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Sleep is not the full remedy for stress, but other solutions can become clearer to people who get adequate rest.

Day 2

AN R

—Joanie Yoder

W

T

ith appealing humor, Ron Hutchcraft, busy author, speaker, and counselor, tells about his battle with stress. One nterview ith day Ron decided to “interview” the family gerbil. erbil “Tell me, Gerbie,” Ron asked, “what do you have planned for Read: today?”

Psalm 34 “First, breakfast,” he replied, “and then get started.”

“Doing what?” Ron quesSearch for peace, and tioned. work to maintain it.

“Why, the same thing I did yes—Psalm 34:14 terday, and the day before that.”

“What’s that?” Ron asked again.

“The wheel.”

And sure enough, Gerbie climbed on his little wheel and started running in circles. Hours later, he was still running.

The more Ron watched that gerbil, the more he saw himself. He had his own personal “wheels”— demands, deadlines, aggravations, ambitions. He felt as if he was running in circles, and he longed for peace. In his search, he made this discovery in Psalm 34: Peace isn’t automatic or passive; it must be pursued. Not only that, but peace is also a result of a right relationship with the Lord.

As never before, Ron enthroned the Lord as the Shepherd of his life. As he did, peace, instead of the stressful wheel, became normal. Which will be normal for you today? —Joanie Yoder

he psalmist David had his dark, lonely nights when everything seemed out of control. Doubts and fears assailed leepless him, and there was no escape from his problems. He tossed ights and turned just as we do, but then he turned to his ShepRead: herd (Psalm 23:1) and reminded Psalm 16:1-11 himself of the Lord’s presence.

That brought peace to his anxious, troubled soul. David said, I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on “I know the Lord is always with you through the night. me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me” (16:8).

—Psalm 63:6 We too have occasions of wakefulness when anxious thoughts jostle one another for attention, when we curse the darkness, and when we long for sleep. But we mustn’t fret, for darkness can be our friend. God is present in it, visiting us, counseling us, instructing us in the night. Perhaps on our beds, as nowhere else, we may hear God’s voice. We can listen to His thoughts and meditate on His Word.

We can talk to the Lord about every concern, casting our care on Him (1 Peter 5:7). We can talk about our failures, our conflicts, our challenges, our anxieties, our frustrations over His lengthy delays—all the things that stress us out and render us sleepless—and listen to what He has to say. That’s what can set us apart from ordinary insomniacs. That’s the secret of quiet rest. —David H. Roper

Day 3

I AG

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Day 4

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Christian, when your way seems darkest, When your eyes with tears are dim, Straight to God your Father hastening, Tell your troubles all to Him. —Anon.

When life is so busy and hectic and humming, You’re uptight and frazzled and stressed; Slow down for a while and spend time with the Savior, And be sure to get adequate rest. —Fitzhugh

Give me a heart of calm repose Amid the world’s loud roar, A life that like a river flows Along a peaceful shore. —Anon.

I couldn’t sleep last night, but did not toss And count my wakefulness a dreadful loss; Ah, no! I was quite glad to lose my sleep— I had such wondrous company to keep! —Seller

When we put our cares into God’s hands, He puts His peace into our hearts.

We can sleep in peace when we remember that God is awake.

For peace that lasts, put God first.

When you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep.

Talk to the Shepherd.

29/07/2010 12:34 PM

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OccODB-stress120110.indd 2

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television commercial asks, “What do you reach for when you’re stressed?” Then it suggests, “Reach for [our product].” each or The numbers of ways people try to deal with serious stresses in Read: life are as numerous as there are Psalm 55:1-7,22 people. Having a drink. Blaming God. Stuffing ourselves with food. Keeping our feelings inside.

Blaming others. These responses might calm us, but they’re just a Oh, that I had wings temporary means of escaping our like a dove; then I problems. No product we reach would fly away and for can take them away. rest! —Psalm 55:6 In Psalm 55, King David described his desire to escape from his difficulties: “My heart pounds in my chest. . . . Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!” (vv.4,6). After the betrayal of his friend and counselor Ahithophel, who had gone to help his enemy, David wanted to get away (vv.12-13; see 2 Sam. 15). In this psalm, he tells us that he reached out to God in his pain (vv.4-5,16).

What do we reach for? Author Susan Lenzkes suggests that we reach out to God and pour out our heart to Him. She writes, “It’s all right—questions, pain, and stabbing anger can be poured out to the Infinite One and He will not be damaged. . . . For we beat on His chest from within the circle of His arms.” —Anne Cetas Day 1

R

F ...

I

am often asked to speak on the subject of stress. I’m not an expert on stress, just an experienced sufferer! I simply share eglected counsel from God’s Word that helps me live less stressfully and emedy more restfully. Many listeners are desperate for any new insight Read: I might offer. What blank looks 1 Kings 19:1-18 I sometimes get when I make this particular recommendation: “Get more sleep!” In their longIn peace I will lie ing to deepen their experience down and sleep, for of God’s peace, they were hopyou alone, O Lord, ing for something more spiritual will keep me safe. than that.

—Psalm 4:8 But I’m not alone in linking spirituality to sleep. A godly Bible teacher was asked to share the key ingredient in his own life for walking in the Spirit. He studied the Bible and prayed regularly, but his surprising reply was this: “Get 8 hours of sleep each night.”

This reply is less surprising in light of God’s initial remedy for Elijah’s stress and depression (1 Kings 19:118). Twice God gave him food and undisturbed sleep before gently confronting him at Mt. Horeb with his error.

Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Sleep is not the full remedy for stress, but other solutions can become clearer to people who get adequate rest.

Day 2

AN R

—Joanie Yoder

W

T

ith appealing humor, Ron Hutchcraft, busy author, speaker, and counselor, tells about his battle with stress. One nterview ith day Ron decided to “interview” the family gerbil. erbil “Tell me, Gerbie,” Ron asked, “what do you have planned for Read: today?”

Psalm 34 “First, breakfast,” he replied, “and then get started.”

“Doing what?” Ron quesSearch for peace, and tioned. work to maintain it.

“Why, the same thing I did yes—Psalm 34:14 terday, and the day before that.”

“What’s that?” Ron asked again.

“The wheel.”

And sure enough, Gerbie climbed on his little wheel and started running in circles. Hours later, he was still running.

The more Ron watched that gerbil, the more he saw himself. He had his own personal “wheels”— demands, deadlines, aggravations, ambitions. He felt as if he was running in circles, and he longed for peace. In his search, he made this discovery in Psalm 34: Peace isn’t automatic or passive; it must be pursued. Not only that, but peace is also a result of a right relationship with the Lord.

As never before, Ron enthroned the Lord as the Shepherd of his life. As he did, peace, instead of the stressful wheel, became normal. Which will be normal for you today? —Joanie Yoder

he psalmist David had his dark, lonely nights when everything seemed out of control. Doubts and fears assailed leepless him, and there was no escape from his problems. He tossed ights and turned just as we do, but then he turned to his ShepRead: herd (Psalm 23:1) and reminded Psalm 16:1-11 himself of the Lord’s presence.

That brought peace to his anxious, troubled soul. David said, I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on “I know the Lord is always with you through the night. me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me” (16:8).

—Psalm 63:6 We too have occasions of wakefulness when anxious thoughts jostle one another for attention, when we curse the darkness, and when we long for sleep. But we mustn’t fret, for darkness can be our friend. God is present in it, visiting us, counseling us, instructing us in the night. Perhaps on our beds, as nowhere else, we may hear God’s voice. We can listen to His thoughts and meditate on His Word.

We can talk to the Lord about every concern, casting our care on Him (1 Peter 5:7). We can talk about our failures, our conflicts, our challenges, our anxieties, our frustrations over His lengthy delays—all the things that stress us out and render us sleepless—and listen to what He has to say. That’s what can set us apart from ordinary insomniacs. That’s the secret of quiet rest. —David H. Roper

Day 3

I AG

W

Day 4

S N

Christian, when your way seems darkest, When your eyes with tears are dim, Straight to God your Father hastening, Tell your troubles all to Him. —Anon.

When life is so busy and hectic and humming, You’re uptight and frazzled and stressed; Slow down for a while and spend time with the Savior, And be sure to get adequate rest. —Fitzhugh

Give me a heart of calm repose Amid the world’s loud roar, A life that like a river flows Along a peaceful shore. —Anon.

I couldn’t sleep last night, but did not toss And count my wakefulness a dreadful loss; Ah, no! I was quite glad to lose my sleep— I had such wondrous company to keep! —Seller

When we put our cares into God’s hands, He puts His peace into our hearts.

We can sleep in peace when we remember that God is awake.

For peace that lasts, put God first.

When you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep.

Talk to the Shepherd.

29/07/2010 12:34 PM

S

ome years ago as I lay in a hospital bed, I overheard two women talking in a waiting room outside my door. Eviow o dently the husband of one of them was in critical condition. andle ear She had been under extreme stress and was greatly conRead: cerned about his recovery. She Psalm 56:1-13 said to her friend, “You know, when you’re as worried as I But when I am afraid, am, you just have to smoke!”

I will put my trust in That made me think about you. —Psalm 56:3 how people handle their fears.

Some turn to alcohol, others turn to food, and some to busyness. The psalmist gave us a better solution to the problem of fear. He said, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (56:3). It’s tragic when we turn to something other than the Lord to fill the void or cover up the pain we’re feeling.

If we have put our faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, we can have confidence that our heavenly Father sees us in our trials and has promised His protection. In times of distress, we can place our trust in the Lord.

He wants us to call on Him so that He can encourage us with His presence and give us His peace.

As you rest in the Lord and rely on Him today, you will be able to say with the psalmist, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” —Richard De Haan Day 5

H T H F

Nothing is hid from His all-seeing eye, Never a teardrop nor even a sigh; Anxious and troubled you never need be— Trust Him completely and doubtings will flee. —Nienhuis When fear knocks at your door, let faith open it.

OccODB-stress120110.indd 1

I

t turns out that we humans reason largely by means of our hearts and not by our heads.

As French mathematician and he ord s theologian Blaise Pascal noted long ago, “The heart has reasons y ock that reason does not know.”

Poets, singers, storytellers, Read: and artists have always known Psalm 18:1-3 this. They use symbols and metaphors that speak to our hearts The Lord is my rock, rather than to our minds. That’s my fortress, and my why their ideas penetrate where savior; my God is everything else has failed. And my rock, in whom that’s why we say, “A picture I find protection.

—Psalm 18:2 is worth a thousand words.”

Images remain in our minds when all else is forgotten.

David wrote, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress . . . my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (Psalm 18:2). He was thinking of physical elements that convey spiritual realities. Each picture expresses a deeper thought, linking the visible world to the invisible realm of the Spirit. David doesn’t wander into definition and explanation, for explanation can blunt imagination. Each picture is left hanging in our minds—images that evoke mystery, arouse our imagination, and deepen our understanding.

David wakes up what is hidden deep within us.

It’s good to think long thoughts about it. What does this mean to you: God is my rock, my fortress, my shield? —David H. Roper

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, Day 6

T L M R

I

A shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A shelter in the time of storm. —Charlesworth To survive the storms of life, be anchored to the Rock of Ages.

RBC Ministries Australia Limited PO Box 393, Glen Waverley VIC 3150, Australia Tel: (+61-3) 9574-7780, Fax: (+61-3) 9574-7787 RBC Ministries Limited PO Box 74025, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2626-1102, Fax: (+852) 2626-0216 RBC Indonesia PO Box 2500, Jakarta 11025, Indonesia Tel: (+62-21) 544-2152, Fax: (+62-21) 5435-1975 RBC Ministries Japan PO Box 46, Ikoma Nara-Ken, 630-0291 Japan Tel: (+81-743) 75-8230, Fax: (+81-743) 75-8299 RBC Resource Centre Berhad PO Box 86, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80057 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel: (+060-7) 335-5919, Fax: (+060-7) 335-7828 RBC Ministries New Zealand PO Box 303095, North Harbour, North Shore City 0751, New Zealand Tel: (+64-9) 444-4146, Fax: (+64-9) 444-4156 RBC Ministries Foundation PO Box 68-325, Taipei 104, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel: (+886-2) 2541-7911, Fax: (+886-2) 2523-9184 RBC Ministries Thailand PO Box 35, Huamark, Bangkok 10243, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 718-51667, Fax: (+66-2) 718-6016 RBC Ministries Asia Limited MacPherson Road Post Office, PO Box 146, Singapore 913405 Tel: (+65) 6858-0900, Fax: (+65) 6858-0400

JB854

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

Anchors In The

Storm

Finding Refuge in the Storms of Stress

Anchors in the Storm We live stressful lives. At every turn, we are hardpressed and pressured by life’s circumstances and challenges. Stress has become our way of life.

Stress isn’t always bad. Performing under pressure motivates us to do our best. But when we are constantly running in emergency mode, our minds and bodies pay the price. Stress-related illnesses are on the rise. Medical statistics indicate that 75 percent of all doctor visits are stress related. But it’s not stress that kills us; it is our reaction to it. And our response to stress is something we can choose.

These selections from Our Daily Bread will not take away the stress in your life. But we hope these readings will lead you to the One who can give you peace of mind.

If you have enjoyed these articles and would like to receive a copy of Our Daily Bread, just complete the request form in this brochure and return it to us. There is no subscription fee.

© 2010 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

29/07/2010 12:34 PM

S

ome years ago as I lay in a hospital bed, I overheard two women talking in a waiting room outside my door. Eviow o dently the husband of one of them was in critical condition. andle ear She had been under extreme stress and was greatly conRead: cerned about his recovery. She Psalm 56:1-13 said to her friend, “You know, when you’re as worried as I But when I am afraid, am, you just have to smoke!”

I will put my trust in That made me think about you. —Psalm 56:3 how people handle their fears.

Some turn to alcohol, others turn to food, and some to busyness. The psalmist gave us a better solution to the problem of fear. He said, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (56:3). It’s tragic when we turn to something other than the Lord to fill the void or cover up the pain we’re feeling.

If we have put our faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, we can have confidence that our heavenly Father sees us in our trials and has promised His protection. In times of distress, we can place our trust in the Lord.

He wants us to call on Him so that He can encourage us with His presence and give us His peace.

As you rest in the Lord and rely on Him today, you will be able to say with the psalmist, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” —Richard De Haan Day 5

H T H F

Nothing is hid from His all-seeing eye, Never a teardrop nor even a sigh; Anxious and troubled you never need be— Trust Him completely and doubtings will flee. —Nienhuis When fear knocks at your door, let faith open it.

OccODB-stress120110.indd 1

I

t turns out that we humans reason largely by means of our hearts and not by our heads.

As French mathematician and he ord s theologian Blaise Pascal noted long ago, “The heart has reasons y ock that reason does not know.”

Poets, singers, storytellers, Read: and artists have always known Psalm 18:1-3 this. They use symbols and metaphors that speak to our hearts The Lord is my rock, rather than to our minds. That’s my fortress, and my why their ideas penetrate where savior; my God is everything else has failed. And my rock, in whom that’s why we say, “A picture I find protection.

—Psalm 18:2 is worth a thousand words.”

Images remain in our minds when all else is forgotten.

David wrote, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress . . . my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (Psalm 18:2). He was thinking of physical elements that convey spiritual realities. Each picture expresses a deeper thought, linking the visible world to the invisible realm of the Spirit. David doesn’t wander into definition and explanation, for explanation can blunt imagination. Each picture is left hanging in our minds—images that evoke mystery, arouse our imagination, and deepen our understanding.

David wakes up what is hidden deep within us.

It’s good to think long thoughts about it. What does this mean to you: God is my rock, my fortress, my shield? —David H. Roper

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, Day 6

T L M R

I

A shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A shelter in the time of storm. —Charlesworth To survive the storms of life, be anchored to the Rock of Ages.

RBC Ministries Australia Limited PO Box 393, Glen Waverley VIC 3150, Australia Tel: (+61-3) 9574-7780, Fax: (+61-3) 9574-7787 RBC Ministries Limited PO Box 74025, Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2626-1102, Fax: (+852) 2626-0216 RBC Indonesia PO Box 2500, Jakarta 11025, Indonesia Tel: (+62-21) 544-2152, Fax: (+62-21) 5435-1975 RBC Ministries Japan PO Box 46, Ikoma Nara-Ken, 630-0291 Japan Tel: (+81-743) 75-8230, Fax: (+81-743) 75-8299 RBC Resource Centre Berhad PO Box 86, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80057 Johor Bahru, Malaysia Tel: (+060-7) 335-5919, Fax: (+060-7) 335-7828 RBC Ministries New Zealand PO Box 303095, North Harbour, North Shore City 0751, New Zealand Tel: (+64-9) 444-4146, Fax: (+64-9) 444-4156 RBC Ministries Foundation PO Box 68-325, Taipei 104, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel: (+886-2) 2541-7911, Fax: (+886-2) 2523-9184 RBC Ministries Thailand PO Box 35, Huamark, Bangkok 10243, Thailand Tel: (+66-2) 718-51667, Fax: (+66-2) 718-6016 RBC Ministries Asia Limited MacPherson Road Post Office, PO Box 146, Singapore 913405 Tel: (+65) 6858-0900, Fax: (+65) 6858-0400

JB854

Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable RBC Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

Anchors In The

Storm

Finding Refuge in the Storms of Stress

Anchors in the Storm We live stressful lives. At every turn, we are hardpressed and pressured by life’s circumstances and challenges. Stress has become our way of life.

Stress isn’t always bad. Performing under pressure motivates us to do our best. But when we are constantly running in emergency mode, our minds and bodies pay the price. Stress-related illnesses are on the rise. Medical statistics indicate that 75 percent of all doctor visits are stress related. But it’s not stress that kills us; it is our reaction to it. And our response to stress is something we can choose.

These selections from Our Daily Bread will not take away the stress in your life. But we hope these readings will lead you to the One who can give you peace of mind.

If you have enjoyed these articles and would like to receive a copy of Our Daily Bread, just complete the request form in this brochure and return it to us. There is no subscription fee.

© 2010 by RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

29/07/2010 12:34 PM