Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Stressed Out

Attend the InterAct Bible Study: Live Strong

Problems and pressures can easily produce stress in life.   Stress changes the way we perceive life.   When we see life through stress we are less grateful.  
The book of Exodus records how people in the ancient days also responded to life through stress rather than gratefulness.  

The Egyptians were stressed when they liberated their slaves. Liberation meant that their productivity would decrease while their personal work load would increase.  In other words, they saw liberation of the people of God as an economic disaster.   They had lost all perspective of what they had . . . chasing after what they thought they needed.

The oppressors pursued the freed Israelite slaves, creating havoc.  The slaves had been liberated by the miraculous intervention of God; however, they were unable to give thanks because of the fear of what might happen to them.  It appeared they were stuck between two big problems . . . their former masters who were pursuing them . . . and the deep Red Sea that lay in front of them. 
God clearly delivered the Israelites from oppression and slavery; however, they did not respond in thanksgiving. 


  What do we do when we are stuck between two big problems?
 
Refocus.

Refuse to focus on the problems. 

Focus on God.

Give thanks. 

 Do all things without grumbling or disputing . . . Philippians 2:14

  
  
Pray:  Thank You.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . grateful rather than stressed-out.
Pastor Kerrie

(interAct written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)
kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ interAct
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