Is It Stress Or Is It Ministry?

I recently finished reading Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love. Around page 41 he discusses stress and points out a key scripture verse in Philippians 4.4:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Here is an except from Chan's book:

"You'll notice that it doesn't end with '...unless you're doing something extremely important.' No, it's a command for all of us, and it follows with the charge, 'Do not be anxious about anything.' When I am consumed by my problems - stressed out about my life, my family, my job - I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a 'right' to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities."

Did you catch that? We justify our stress because we think we have the right based on the magnitude of our responsibilities.

Nah! That can't be..................... can it?

Think about it. Is your job so important that you must risk your long term impact on the world by engaging in life-shortening stress and worry? Is that what God is calling you to do? Really?

Think about it again. God not only commands us to rejoice and to not be anxious, but us uses the words ALWAYS and ANYTHING:

"Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS."  and  "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING."

The next time you are feeling justified in your worry and stress over your work in ministry, think again. That's not how God rolls.

photo credit

BONUS: Two stress-related links to help

Stress Diary

Are You A Positive or Negative Thinker?

Comments

[Melinda Lancaster]

Very timely post. You are so right, that is not how God rolls.

Thank you for sharing this insight. I loved the book "Crazy Love" and did something I rarely do which was re-read it multiple times.

[Kelly Robichaud]

So true. I have been told many times, even by pastors, that worrying in my difficult situations was natural. Then it occurred to me that worry may be natural, but I am not. I am, in Christ, supernatural. With supernatural power and joy and strength flowing through me by His Holy Spirit within me. I am more careful now, and understand what fretting and worry say about the God that I claim is taking care of me. Thanks for sharing this.

[Scott Couchenour]

Thanks Melinda. Yeah, it is a great book. Provoking. I also appreciate your RT on Twitter. Stay strong out there!

[Scott Couchenour]

Kelly - Worry is natural. That's the problem. Then we attach it to ministry in an attempt to justify it. But we don't recognize the impact it has on us until it's too late (burnout, depression, pneumonia, ...) Try looking at these "natural" inclinations to worry as opportunities to run to the Father and continue enhancing a relationship that is intimate and organic (as Jesus says in John 15)

[jasonS]

Great reminder. These things are comforting and hard to live out at the same time. I need less fleshly attitudes and thoughts and more grace! Thanks for this.