Saturday, September 14, 2024
Speaker: Ben Snyder, Lead Pastor
Title: Stop Fighting Stress
Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:16-17 "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your heart as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong."
Stress: Our response to the world around us
Phases of Stress: Eustress vs. Distress vs. Chronic Stress
Four Indicators of DISTRESS: Page 66
Over-functioning - Doing too much
Overthinking - Being unable to find clarity or make decisions
Obsessing - Fixating on achieving a certain outcome
Overloaded - Feeling burdened by guilt and expectations (from you or others)
John 14:27 (NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."
Three “gifts” the world offers for our stress:
1. Get more information
2. But more stuff
3. Be true to yourself
OR 4. Jesus will take your stress away
Jesus helps build STRENGTH in stress. HOW?
Ephesians 3:16-17 (NLT) “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
James 1:2-4 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Bottom Line: Stress is not the enemy. It is a God opportunity.
3 Questions to clarify the OPPORTUNITY:
What is God trying to strengthen in me? (Galatians 5:22)
What is God trying to show through me? (1 Peter 2:12; Matthew 6:16)
Who has God put around me? (Hebrews 10:24; James 5:16)
Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Additional Passage: Philippians 4:13
Resources/References:
Stronger Than Stress
History and Stats on TED
Gallup Poll Regarding Stress Levels in 2023
Mental Health Research on Young Adults from 2005-2017
Kelly McGonigal TED Talk: Make Stress Your Friend
STUDY: Does the perception that stress affects health matter?
STUDY: Mind over milkshakes
Song Links:
Be Glad - YouTube // Spotify
You've Already Won - YouTube // Spotify
Trust in God - YouTube // Spotify
Discussion Questions:
Icebreaker: What do you do to find peace when you are stressed?
What does the world tell people will bring them peace?
Read James 1:2-4. What do you learn about stress from these verses?
Read Galatians 5:22-23. Which of these is God trying to build in you?
What stressor in your life could you view not as an enemy, but as an opportunity to grow this fruit? Explain.