Lesson 309: TO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED


Chaplain David Chaltas -- The Old General

Too Blessed to be Stressed

A dear friend of mine was talking to me about a preacher he knows who is constantly in turmoil.  He said that no matter what happens, his parson friend sees the negative, always complains of how terrible things are and evil the world has become.  His negativities have bled over into the pulpit and his congregation and following has diminished greatly.  Not only is the preacher stressed, he is causing stress among the diminishing flock.  My friend stated that he went to the preacher in an effort to bring this to his attention and that the end result was alienation and hard feelings, with even more stress.  He asked me what he could do to help the individual.

I thought for a moment and reflected upon my experiences.  I thought of the Bible and the great commission we are given.  How can one preach the Good News while being bad natured, I thought to myself?  I asked my friend if I could pray and ponder upon his questions.  As I drove home I began thinking (which is always dangerous without God’s guidance).  I thought we must never take someone’s word as gospel no matter their education, how they exalt themselves or fancy titles that lavish upon themselves.  Our salvation is from God’s word not the minister.  Minister means to serve; servant.  True servants are not offended if they are questioned.  They listen, study, learn, and grow in God not in their own glory.  Believe the Bible and not words of men.  All of us at times are too stressed to be blessed when all we have to do is substituted two words and be too blessed to be stressed!    

When I arrived at the house, I began my search and found verses upon verses.  For example, I found in Titus 3: 1-8 the following:  “¹ Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. ³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. ⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. ¹⁰ Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. ¹¹ You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” I John 2:4 states, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” I turned to Matthew and found in chapter 7, verse 15, the following:   "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”  Armed with all the verses and after fervent prayer, I decided to call my friend and have lunch with him the following Monday. 

 

Over the weekend my dear friend, Lynn Hammond sent me something that I had not seen.  I realized that God works in mysterious ways and that HE was answering a question that I could not readily address by myself.  After reading it, I realized that it is as simple as the ABCs!  My job was not to condemn, judge or demonstrate my knowledge but my job was to allow God to intervene by telling me friend that he must be the model, the example, the guide so that his parson could see his unbounded joy and wish to also embrace it.  “The shortest distance between a problem and it solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.” Prayer changes things and by being a true friend without compromising your principles, you can be too blessed to be stressed!    Let us pray for one another and when given the opportunity, let us share our blessings to help remove another’s stress.  The old general

ABC’S OF BLESSINGS

Although things are not perfect 
Because of trial or pain 
Continue in thanksgiving 
Do not begin to blame 
Even when the times are hard 
Fierce winds are bound to blow 
God is forever able 
Hold on to what you know 
Imagine life without His love 
Joy would cease to be 
Keep thanking Him for all the things 
Love imparts to thee 
Move out of "Camp Complaining" 
No weapon that is known 
On earth can yield the power 
Praise can do alone 
Quit looking at the future 
Redeem the time at hand 
Start every day with worship 
To "thank" is a command 
Until we see Him coming 
Victorious in the sky 
We'll run the race with gratitude 
Xalting God most high 
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but... 
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!