NLDC BACKSTAGE: December 2007

Is Stress About to Get You Down?

Stress—the dictionary describes it as "mental, emotional or physical tension; strain, distress." I’d add to that: "feeling pressured or upset." It’s a condition that most of us are all too familiar with. It’s a normal part of everyday life, and none of us can get through a day without experiencing it in one way or another especially during the holiday season.

The holidays are constantly fast paced and that places more demands on us with each passing year. People are hurrying everywhere, and they’re often rude and short-tempered. Many people are experiencing financial stress, marital stress and the stress of raising children.

Even the atmosphere seems to be charged with stress and pressure. But the good news is that, as Christians, although we may be in the world, according to John 17:14, 16, we are not of the world. We don't have to operate by the world's system, reacting like the world. Our attitude and approach should be entirely different. The world responds to difficulties by being upset, but Jesus said in John 14:27 that we should stop allowing ourselves to be agitated disturbed or upset.

I believe we can live stress free in a stressful world, but it’ll require some decisions—possibly radical ones. Allow God's Spirit to lead you out of a stressful lifestyle and into one of peace and joy.

Here are some wise instructions from God's Word to make the practice of peace a part of your everyday life. First of all, be still! Hush. Stop all the rushing around. Psalm 46:10 says Be still, and know that I am God… (KJV).

The Creator of the universe wants a word with you, but how can He really talk to you if you're always on the go? Chill and listen!

Second, prepare your heart to receive from Him—to hear His voice on a regular basis. Oh,
that they had such a heart in them always to fear Me and keep all My commandments, that it might go well with them and with their children forever! (Deuteronomy 5:29). Can you hear the earnestness in God's voice as He makes that statement?

Finally, acknowledge Him in everything you do. Make it a lifestyle to be identified with Jesus Christ and faithfully be a doer of the Word. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 KJV).

Testimony from the Road

My team arrived at a youth service in southern California to find the youth acting completely worldly. We discovered that this was a youth outreach center for the town. All the youth had a rough attitude, and didn’t seem to want to respond to us at all.

Once everybody got in the place was packed. As we started to minister they really gave us a hard time, mocking the sketches and not paying attention at all. As we were nearing the end of the service we did one of our new sketches named, “Stuck”. The kids really seemed to settle down, and pay attention as the issue of being stuck in sin was brought to life.

At this point in the service I felt lead to share my testimony with the youth. I shared how Jesus had brought me out of my sin, and had turned my life around. I told them how I was once in their place; I know what it’s like, and how God transformed my life.

We then finished with a sketch depicting the crucifixion of Christ. How he died to free us from the sin that we are stuck in. I opened up the Word to Isaiah 53, and shared how Jesus had already taken the punishment for all their sin. It was so amazing to see the youth who had before been so unruly and uncaring were now completely entranced by the Gospel story.

As I gave a call to salvation nearly half the room raised their hands to get saved for the first time, and the majority of the rest raised their hand when I asked if anybody wanted to rededicate their lives.

When my team prayed for the youth during the altar call I was amazed at the divine appointments that God brought us. It seemed like we were able to minister to the youth in the exact way that they needed.

Over all we had over 75 youth get saved for the first time, and more than 100 rededications. It was so awesome to see God move like that!

Mark Farrow