We're in the run up for the season of Thanksgiving into Christmas.

So many people are stressing out about so many things.

We just came through a long and arduous political season. There were daily rallies, so much rhetoric, so much protesting, so many angry talking heads, so many threats and fears and anxieties, and then the election itself. Every election somebody wins and somebody loses. That is stressful for half the country. This election was no exception.

So now comes a new season of adjustment. Changes bring stress. The unknown brings stress. The known that we fear can bring stress. And stress is generally bad for you!

Last Sunday I gave a talk on the sermon on the mount. It's in Matthew chapter 5. Check it out on our web page under the message tab for last Sunday.

Here are some takeaways on dealing with our stress:

Jesus says that we are “Makarios” = the Greek word for blessed by God. And yet every time Jesus mentions that we are blessed, it is a blessing based on something stressful or difficult. But each difficult or stressful thing that he mentions, he says that we are blessed by God for our endurance or obedience in the difficult circumstance.

As we live in this world we need to have the courage to be happy in our blessings.

We have wars in numerous places. We cannot change that, but we can pray for God to bring his peace into those places.

Many people are distraught about the election results. We cannot change that, but we could pray for God to relieve fear and anxiety and then teach people to trust in God more than politicians.

Many people live with financial struggles. We cannot change that, but we could pray for them to learn to live within their means, or to find a better job, or act to share what we have with them.

So many people live hopelessly. We cannot change that, but we could pray for them to know who they are according to the loving Father God who created them. We can share our hope with them. Our hope is based on the knowledge and experience that God is always good and that God has a plan and God has a plan for them!

We are to be people made in the image of God our father. We are to reflect his son as seen in Yeshua ha Mashiach/Jesus Christ.

That means we are to model patience with those who are difficult. 

We are to model love to the unlovable. We are to love those who believe that we are their enemy. Those who believe we are their enemy are not really our enemies. We don't wrestle with flesh and blood but with powers and principalities in the evil realm.

We are to model compassion to those who have difficult circumstances. Don't notice it or hear about it and keep walking. Stop for the “one” who God has set before you. Share the resources he has given you: food, clothes, finances, or whatever you can do to alleviate suffering. It could be a cup of coffee and a sandwich as you sit down to talk and let them pour out their heart to you. You can't fix everything but you can alleviate suffering.

There is so much needed by so many stressed humans. Jesus saw that the fields were ripe for harvesting but the workers were few. Let's not let the harvest rot in the field. Let's do what we can to produce a healthy crop. Love God first and best and then love others from that love. Act with compassion and kindness. Leave a trail of hope everywhere you go. Because hoping in Christ and his promises is precious and more valuable than gold. Or platinum!

We CAN change the world, even when we cannot change the circumstances. Prayer moves mountains but action is required. Pray & act like it all depends on you, even as we know that with GOD all things are possible.

This year, let's work. It will relieve your stress when you help others. You will feel better when you help others. And the merciful will receive mercy.

Peace, my friends.

Maranatha, y’all. He is coming back!