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Message Notes
Get Connected
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Message Notes
Bad Stress - a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.
Stress comes when expectations exceed results.
“Stress isn’t the problem in your life. Too much unrelieved stress is the culprit.” —Sam Chand
“Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves” —Richard Swenson
“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” —Psalm 73:21-26
Don’t…
Become a bitter person
Don’t become angry at God
When you can’t see what God is doing or you can’t understand it, don’t withdraw from Him…lean in to Him.
- Let your heart become hardened towards people
- Lose heart
Tharseite - Be confident, take courage, take heart, be bold!
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33
“but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;” —2 Corinthians 6:4-5
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,” —Philippians 3:10
How Can We Change Our Perspective on Pain?
- See pain as your greatest teacher
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.” —2 Corinthians 12:8
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ —2 Corinthians 12:9a
- Lean into God’s grace…it’s sufficient for your pain
“Life is not about your being comfortable and happy and successful and pain free. It is about becoming the man or woman God has called you to be.” —Chuck Swindoll
- Look for God’s purpose in your pain
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9b
SHARE HIS LOVE
You need to have a vision for your life that is greater than your pain.
“Never trust a leader who doesn’t walk with a limp.” —Dr. J. Robert Clinton