The Overwhelmed Challenge - Lesson 3 - Things That Cause Stress

In the late summer and early fall of 2014 the adult bible study group did a study titled "The Overwhelmed Challenge". It was the prelude to a much longer study, "Overwhelmed: Winning the War Against Worry". This is the third of the five lessons to that study. If you liked the first study they you will enjoy this one because it was the reason that we did the more detailed study. I recommend that you get the book prompted me to do these two studies, Overwhelmed: Winning the War Against Worry by Noble Perry. You can get it at Amazon by clicking this Link or the image of the book at the end of this post. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Last week we talked about the challenge of dealing with critical people causing stress and anxiety. We should ask ourselves when faced with a critical person and or criticism: How Well Does This Person Know Me? What Attitude Does The Person Criticizing Have? Is it condemning or Criticism  loving? Does What The Person Is Saying Pass Through The Filter Of Scripture? Context is important Is This Criticism Personal Or Shared By Others? Is This Worth My Time?  I used to try and fight every single ounce of criticism that came my way…and I realized I just can’t. In the end, we all have good things in our lives we need to focus on. So don’t spend your time fighting the critics, spend your time focusing on Jesus and the blessings He has given to all of us. He is the one we will spend eternity with in heaven, and His opinion is the only one that really matters. Introduction and Definition The dictionary defines stress as “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.” Everyone suffers from stress at one time or another. In fact, research indicates that children who live in a stressful home environment are at greater risk to become highly stressed by life’s challenges. Stress can cause us to do things we would not normally do or cause us to shut down completely. Anything that causes stress is called a “stressor.” Stress can be caused by either processive stressors or systemic stressors. Processive stressors are those that elicit what is called the “fight or flight” reaction. Systemic stressors are our bodies’ automatic physiological responses to stress. Stress takes its toll on all of us to varying degrees, and how we deal with it depends in large part on who we are. It is no wonder that many days we struggle trying to cope with the stresses that come from our jobs, our health or family issues. God has created us and knows that, because of our fallen natures, we can sometimes allow stress to rule our lives. Stress of all kinds is a natural part of life Job 5:7 (HCSB) 7 But mankind is born for trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.  Job 14:1 (HCSB) Man born of woman is short of days and full of trouble. 1 Peter 4:12 (HCSB)  Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB) No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it. But how we deal with it is up to us. If we choose to try to do it on our own, we face a long, uphill battle that will not end well. The only way we can deal with stress is with Jesus Christ, first by believing in Him. Without believing in Him we are on our own, and success in coping with stress is almost impossible. Second, we need to trust Him and obey Him. Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-stress.html#ixzz32jVTx3WP 10 most common things that can cause stress 1. The belief that I am in control of my life rather than knowing that God is in control of EVERYTHING (including my life)! 2. When I do not trust the people who I delegate authority and responsibility to and Stressed actually begin to believe the lie that, “If I want something done right then I must do it myself.” 3. When I know without a doubt what God has told me to do but I begin to listen to the “experts” who tell me that the very thing God has told me to do is impossible. 4. When I try to explain myself to those who don’t really want an explanation; they just want to argue. 5. When I refuse to take some time to disconnect and rest, claiming that the devil never takes a day off while not understanding that the devil isn’t supposed to be my example. 6. When I begin to take on the “Messiah complex” and begin to think about how much I need to do and how Jesus needs me rather than how much I actually NEED HIM! 7. When I worry about results more than obedience!!! 8. When I focus on the size of the problem rather than the size of God! 9. When I fail to share my worries and concerns and admit my mistakes to others for fear that it may make me seem weak and stupid. (The opposite is actually the case. Those around me actually love and respect me more when I ask for help!) 10. When I become unaware of HIS presence every single minute of my life! The starting point for dealing with stress is Jesus Christ. Jesus offers us great encouragement in John 14:1 (NKJV) 1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. We desperately need Him in our lives. We need Him because He is the only one who can give us the strength to cope with the troubles in our lives. Believing in Him does not mean that we will have a trouble-free life or that we will not succumb to stress in our lives. It simply means that a life without Jesus Christ makes coping with stress an impossible and often debilitating task. Believing leads to trusting. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Leaning on “our own understanding” often means adopting the world’s ways of relieving stress—things like alcohol or drugs or mindless entertainment. Instead, we are to trust His Word as our ultimate guide to a stress-reduced life. Psalm 34:4 (NKJV) 4  I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. David knew that by seeking the Lord and sharing his troubles with Him that perhaps he would find favor with Him. The Lord in turn answered him and calmed him down. Perhaps no passage in Scripture better captures how to handle stress than Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The Lord tells us not to be anxious about anything, but rather to turn everything over to Him in prayer. Lifting our burdens and concerns to a holy and righteous God daily will mitigate or eliminate the stress in our lives Psalm 55:22 (NKJV) 22  Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Jesus Christ offers peace if we come to Him with our worries and concerns. At Peace John 14:27 (NKJV) 27  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Psalms 118:5-9 HCSB  5 I called to the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. 6 The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is my helper, Therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV) 25  "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28  So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29  and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31  Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) 11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Please remember and be encouraged that His plans are greater than any plans we could have for ourselves. So don’t worry, God’s got this. Books on overcoming worry with the Word of God.

The Overwhelmed Challenge - Lesson 2 - Dealing with Critical People

In the late summer and early fall of 2014 the adult bible study group did a study titled "The Overwhelmed Challenge".  It was the prelude to a much longer study, "Overwhelmed: Winning the War Against Worry". This is the second of the five lessons to that study. If you liked the first study they you will enjoy this one because it was the reason that we did the more detailed study. I recommend that you get the book prompted me to do these two studies, Overwhelmed: Winning the War Against Worry by Noble Perry. You can get it at Amazon by clicking this Link or the image of the book at the end of this post.

Unfinished Business From Last Week

Last week we ended with the question does God punish? We agreed, I think, that God does discipline

Job 5:17-18 (HCSB) 17 See how happy the man is God corrects; so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty. 18 For He crushes but also binds up; He strikes, but His hands also heal.

1 Corinthians 11:32 (HCSB) but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

Hebrews 12:5-8 (HCSB) 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, 6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. 7 Endure ⌊sufferin⌋ as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

But does He punish. In the case of believers I say no unless you see discipline as punishment. I see it as consequence of sin. But, and I think you will agree with me that the bible says that the punishment of sin is death right? Well if you agree with that then what did Jesus’ death accomplish? We believe that he took that punishment for us, the believer. Yes non-believers will receive the punishment for sin but not believers.

Introduction to This Week's Lesson

Last week in our study we discussed our foundation.

Romans 8:28 (HCSB) ²⁸  We know that all things work together for the good of those who love

God: those who are called according to His purpose. 

We concluded that those all things working for good are conforming us to Jesus.   So when we face overwhelming situations and stress we should look at God and not the situation. We passed out a list of things Pastor Perry reminds himself of about God when he becomes overwhelmed, and Michelle shared her Gratitude Diary.

Dealing with critical people

All of us deal with criticism in our lives. And it’s typically given to us without us asking for it. Perhaps it’s a co-worker, a neighbor or maybe even your mother-in-law who is always willing to give

you their unwelcomed opinion.

Jesus dealt with criticism

Matthew 15:1-2 (HCSB) ¹  Then Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked,
²  “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat!”

Matthew 12:1-2 (HCSB) ¹  At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. ²  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”

Luke 6:6-11 (HCSB) ⁶  On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and was teaching. A man was there whose right hand was paralyzed. ⁷  The scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely, to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against Him. 

⁸  But He knew their thoughts and told the man with the paralyzed hand, “Get up and stand here.” So he got up and stood there. ⁹  Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to destroy it?” ¹⁰  After looking around at them all, He told him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was restored. ¹¹  They, however, were filled with rage and started discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Mark 3:1-6 (HCSB) ¹  Now He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a paralyzed hand. ²  In order to accuse Him, they were watching Him closely to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath. ³  He told the man with the paralyzed hand, “Stand before us.”
⁴  Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. ⁵  After looking around at them with anger and sorrow at the hardness of their hearts, He told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. ⁶  Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

The Apostle Paul dealt with lots of criticism  (we have talked about this in our studies in Colossians, and in both 1 and 2 Corinthians). 

We are not exempt.    Sometimes these cynical remarks are discouraging. They can cause us to doubt ourselves and create unnecessary worry in our lives. So whenever criticism starts coming your way ask yourself some questions.

1 - How Well Does This Person Know Me?

One of the things that we have to learn is that just because someone has an opinion about something does not make them an expert.

You need to understand WHO is doing the criticizing. People will often act before they think and make snap judgments on your character or actions based on one line you said in passing, when in actuality, they don’t know the background of your story or the reasoning in which you made that decision.

These are the people that we can’t take the time to listen to. Chances are, you probably don’t have time to try to convince them you’re a good person and explain your intentions and even if you had the time it wouldn't help.

BUT, you can (and should) listen to those closest to you. These are the people whose encouragement and rebuke you welcome.  You’ve got to have people around you who are willing to tell you the truth.

2 - What Attitude Does The Person Criticizing Have?

If someone comes at you with a negative, condemning attitude, write it off. The Bible says that we are called to speak the truth, but we are called to do so in love.

Ephesians 4:15 (HCSB)  But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. 

Be wary when people come to you and the first thing that they say is "I'm telling you this in love".  If they are people that you know love you then they wouldn't need to preface their comment.   Remember what I said in the first question that you should ask yourself.

3 - Does What The Person Is Saying Pass Through The Filter Of Scripture?

Scripture in context is something we should all listen to.   Here's and example that Pastor Perry gave;

For example, a few weeks ago, a friend and I had some differences and I did not speak to this person for several days. Things were tense because we work around one another. She confronted me on this and said, “The Bible says in Ephesians 4:26 that we are not supposed to let the sun go down on us while we are angry…I would say you have done that.” I was busted—she was right. She had confronted me with a non-judgmental attitude and used Scripture in context, and I repented because I was wrong.

4 - Is This Criticism Personal Or Shared By Others?

Sometimes after something goes seemingly well (a successful presentation at work, the home completely in order when you get home, your kids were perfect at that restaurant with friends), you get praised and complemented by many. But often you will get ONE negative comment from someone, and ignore the positive comments, focusing on that one negative remark! And this negative remark probably isn’t even true! We cannot allow ourselves to dwell on that negative comment.

5 - Is This Worth My Time?

I used to try and fight every single ounce of criticism that came my way…and I realized I just can’t.

Now, there are some things that are worth my time, and I do address those. But often times, I am NOT going to change the person’s mind and “friendly debate” is out of the question, so it’s best to just move on.

In the end, we all have good things in our lives we need to focus on. The best thing being Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (HCSB) ¹⁶  Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷  For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. ¹⁸  So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

So don’t spend your time fighting the critics, spend your time focusing on Jesus and the blessings He has given to all of us. He is the one we will spend eternity with in heaven, and His opinion is the only one that really matters.

The Overwhelmed Challenge - Lesson 1

In the late summer and early fall of 2014 the adult bible study group did a study titled "The Overwhelmed Challenge". It was the prelude to a much longer study, "Overwhelmed: Winning the War Against Worry". This is the first of the five lessons to that study. If you liked the first study they you will enjoy this one because it was the reason that we did the more detailed study. I recommend that you get the book that prompted me to do these two studies, Overwhelmed: Winning the War Against Worry by Noble Perry. You can get it at Amazon by clicking this Link or the image of the book at the end of this post.

Introduction

Key Scripture Romans 8:28 (HCSB) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Stress, anxiety and worry are something we all struggle with at some point in our lives. But what about when it gets to a point where you feel completely overwhelmed? In a devotional series Perry Noble, senior pastor of NewSpring Church, explains five ways that we can begin to win the war against worry. founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church in South Carolina. The church averages more than 32,000 people during weekend services at multiple campuses across the state. In Overwhelmed:  Winning the War Against Worry,  Perry Noble talks about his own struggle with depression and what he learned in overcoming the battle against stress and anxiety.

Between financial struggles, marital issues, health scares, and the run-of-the-mill problems of everyday life, it’s easy to feel weighed down and trapped by your circumstances. In times like these, it’s tempting to just throw in the towel and quit. With all the bad thing that are happening and will happen like the storms that have ravaged the southeast and midwest where people have died and property destroyed, how about when a police officer on duty or a young girl or boy is killed by a drunk driver, or in a fit of rage and man kills his whole family or someone goes on a military base and just starts shooting or to make it more personal when we lose a loved one or lose a job or lose our home and all these things happen in succession, how can Paul say and encourage his readers and eventually us to say what he did in Romans 8:28.

These words from Paul are not from a person who has had it good all his life but from a guy who was often "under great pressure" and "despaired even of life"

2 Corinthians 1:8 (HCSB) ⁸  For we don’t want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life.

He was "hard pressed on every side" and "perplexed," "persecuted" and "struck down"

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (HCSB) ⁸  We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; ⁹  we are persecute but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.

He experienced "beatings," "imprisonments," "riots" and "hunger".

2 Corinthians 6:4-5 (HCSB) ⁴  But as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties, ⁵  by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger,
To be free from the realities of sin and death does not mean that we can live our lives unaffected by the continuing presence of sin and death in this world. So what’s the good? Doesn’t make sense does it? Here’s what it means. It is the destiny of those who love the Lord to be like Jesus. God is committed to produce in us all the love, all the joy, all the patience, all the long-suffering, all the goodness, and all the gentleness of Jesus. But until that happens we are still subject to the realities of sin and death. It is God's love in Christ that sustains us and empowers us—even in the midst of our experiences of sin and death—"to be conformed to the likeness of his Son"

Romans 8:29 (HCSB)  For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

God works in all things toward that good purpose, to conform us to the image of Jesus.   But He only does it for  "those who love him".

So with that let’s start our study.

Don’t look at what is wrong, look at who God is and his character!

Romans 5:8 (HCSB) But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

Instead of the word for let’s replace it with "for the benefit of," "on behalf of," and "instead of." then the full significance of Christ's death "for" us hits home.

Isaiah 43:1-3 (HCSB) ¹  Now this is what the LORD says— the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel— “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. ²  I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and ⌊when you pass⌋ through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you. ³  For I Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior, give Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place.


This passage is the beginning of Isaiah’s prophecy about the nation being redeemed from captivity God is saying that after the period of captivity, which was 70 years, that Israel would be restored to its place; he would claim their rights and fulfill their obligations for them. The ground for these promises was not on merit but on God's unmerited favor and grace, and his self-commitment as Father to his covenant people.  We are now his covenant people through Christ.

Philippians 1:6 (HCSB) I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Before we get into what Paul means by this statement let's look at why he was writing to the church at Philippi.

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter and he wasn't sure of the result of a trial.  He wanted to thank them for the gifts they had sent him.  He wanted to tell them about his current circumstances.  He wanted to appeal for unity in the church.  He wanted to warn them about false doctrine especially that of the Jewish Christians who were insisting on circumcision for the Gentiles.   He wanted to urge them to stay loyal to their faith.

He was confident that their partnership, with him, in the Gospel would continue and that it rested upon the faithfulness of God who, having begun a good work, would most certainly bring it to completion.

And that completion is, as we talked about when discussing Romans 8:28, our being conformed to the likeness of Jesus.

Our reliance is on God and we are positive that God will keep us because;

• God started the work of grace

• . It was deliberate, and intentional. It was not by chance. 

• There is no reason why he would start such a work and then abandon it. He has no power to complete it.

• God doesn't abandon anything that He starts.  There are no unfinished worlds or systems; no half-made and forsaken works of His hands. There is no evidence in His works of creation of change of plan, or of having forsaken what He started from disgust, or disappointment, or lack of power to complete them. 

•  He has promised to keep the renewed soul to eternal life

So at the most stressful moments in your life, at the times when you feel most overwhelmed  stop and focus on God. Here's what Pastor Nobel says he does and I think it is great advice. He looks at who God is.   He made a list that helps him and it can help us and keep us from freaking out.  Here's the list:

GOD IS

• SOVEREIGN — He reigns over everyone and everything and has never been stressed out.

• UNSTOPPABLE and so are those who follow Him.

• HOLY— God is perfect, which means everything He wants/desires for my life is far greater than anything I could have thought of. • CONSISTENT — I don’t have to worry about Him being in a bad mood.

• GREATER than any temptation the enemy throws my way.

• BETTER than anything the world has to offer.

• BIGGER than any sin or failure in my life.

• GRACIOUS — He knows every stupid, foolish, sinful thing I’ve ever done (or will do), and yet He loves me anyway!

• ALWAYS here with me — God has NEVER walked away from me. He doesn’t always deliver me from the fire, but He has ALWAYS walked with me through it!

• FAITHFUL — If I fail to see His faithfulness in my past, I will probably not recognize the fruitfulness of my future.

• THE ONE WHO PURSUES ME — He pursues me even on the days I tend to walk away from Him.

• RELENTLESS — He has NEVER given up on me!

• PASSIONATE — His passion and zeal that the scriptures reveal cause me to be in AWE. I could go on and on, but what I want you to see is that when stress comes into our lives it is an awesome opportunity to KNOW GOD. So, if you are stressed out, freaked out and feel like you are about to give out, then “check out” for 10 minutes from your busy life, sit down with a piece of paper, make a list of who the scriptures say GOD IS, and focus on that rather than your circumstances.

OVERWHELMED: WINNING THE WAR AGAINST WORRY - LESSON 12 GOD IS STILL GOD AND GOD IS STILL GOOD

This is the final Lesson in out study Overwhelmed:  Winning the War Against Worry.  If you have studied along with us and haven't already I urge you to get the book "Overwhelmed:  Winning the War Against Worry" by Perry Noble.  You can get it from Amazon by clicking the title of the book  or clicking on the image of the book at the end of the post.  

Introduction

A couple or three weeks or so ago we talked about how we often misinterpret God’s promises and even sometimes make our preferences God’s promises. We do that by taking His promises totally out of context so that they fit our situation or desires.  This week I read a quote by D. L. Moody and then a commentary

on the quote.  First a little about D. L. Moody.   D.L. Moody died in 1899 and he was a famous American evangelist and publisher.  He founded the Moody Church, Northfield School and Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts (now Northfield Mount Hermon School), the Moody Bible Institute, and Moody Publishers.

The quote is “God never made a promise that was too good to be true”  We often say that “if it sounds too good to be true it probably is”.  Meaning that it is probably not really true.  Here's the commentary on the quote:

D. L. Moody’s quote that God never made a promise that was too good to be true is easy to misunderstand. It is easy to get and believe that God can make mountains fall in the sea at a mere word. After all, this is the same God that called the universe into existence. No problem there. The big issue is whether, as Christians, we are going to assume the right position when it comes to God’s promises. This is the big challenge because it is too easy to turn God, in our minds, into our own personal ‘genie’-existing solely to solve our problems. It is too easy to pray to God for a football, soccer, or basketball victory or to claim ‘God is on our side.’ How can he not be? After all, there are more than enough promises in the Bible that can be read to favor whatever outcome we want, right? Sadly, this is the wrong way to claim God’s promises. Even if we have faith, it is too easy to use faith the wrong way.

It is not about us

God’s promises in the bible have always been about one thing and one thing alone: God’s glory. You see, the Devil has done a spectacular job of distorting God. From a bully to a genie to a butler, the Devil spews out lie after lie about the character of God. A sincere and honest reading of the Bible and Jesus’ words regarding the power of faith leads to one conclusion: God’s promises are all about His glory and our salvation. This means, the promises must lead to God’s agenda not ours. This means that instead of praying that our problems disappear because it would be more convenient, we should pray that the outcome be in accordance with God’s will. In short, put his agenda front and center, not ours. This is hard to do because we are all self-absorbed and self-centered. We measure the world based on our needs and concerns. The truth is that God is above and beyond us. He has his own center of gravity. Indeed, he is the center of gravity for everything that was, is, and ever will be. Our needs, our concerns, our prayers, and our lives should be centered on His will.

Pray for His Will

By refocusing our prayers on helping us achieve God’s will, we unlock the power of God’s promises. His words aren't void. His promises aren't dead. They have life. We have just been trying to unlock them using self-centered ‘faith.’ Instead, when praying, we should ask to do His will and stand back. Prepare to be amazed.

Last Week Review

Last week in chapters 30-33 we talked about the fact that no matter what we are going through, no matter how much stress and anxiety, or how overwhelming the situation or circumstance, God loves us.  He loves us even when we can’t accept that fact.  We can’t accept it because of past sins, poor performance in our estimation, or the current overwhelming situation.  All those things cause us the think surely God can’t still love me.  We talked about the fact that Jesus called  John the one Jesus loved, according to John, and the other disciples His friends.  He called them his friends  before he was crucified, and He still called them His friends after they abandoned him when He was arrested. Peter denied Him and John didn't speak up for Him although he was there at the trial.  Even after they knew that he had risen and he sent them out to win souls, they went fishing. After all this He still called them His friends.  So it didn't depend on anything they did or didn't do and it doesn't matter what you or I do or don't do, it won't change His opinion about us or cause Him to no longer consider us His friends.

God loves us,  and He calls us His friends so we shouldn't give up when we are overwhelmed.  The great example that we have from the bible, other than Jesus, who went through overwhelming circumstances, is Job.  He lost all of his children and all of his wealth in one day and later losing his health; his wife gave up on him, and his friends told him that he was going through all this stuff because he deserved it. Although he questioned God, and even wished he had never been born; He didn't give up or give in.   What Job went through God allowed and when he passed the test and admitted that God’s ways were much higher than his the end of his life was even better than the beginning and the beginning was very good.  He was the richest man in the east according to Job 1:1-3.   God doesn't give up on us so we for sure shouldn't give up on Him.

So let’s get into today’s study.

God is Still God and God is Still Good

1.  What have we said throughout this study that we must try to do when we are overwhelmed, stressed and anxious?

That we should not focus on the situation but focus on God who is bigger than any circumstance or situation.  He already knew that you would be there and He will be with you through it right?

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2.  There are two foundational beliefs that we must have in order to go through overwhelming situations.  Do you remember what they are?

One is God is holy and God is good, and the other one is to believe in His promises.  We've talked about the promises of God the last few weeks and why it's so important is that we really know what they are.  We should never make our preferences God promises but believe in the ones He really made.  He has told us what they are and they are in the Bible.

This morning we want to remind ourselves that God is still God and that He is still good.

Here is some scriptures about God’s goodness

• Psalm 136:1 (HCSB) Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love is eternal.
• Psalm 31:19 (HCSB)How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in You.
• Psalm 109:21 (HCSB) But You, Yahweh my Lord, deal ⌊kindly⌋ with me because of Your name; deliver me because of the goodness of Your faithful love.
• Psalm 145:7 (HCSB)They will give a testimony of Your great goodness and will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

When Our Circumstances Change God is Still Good

3.  Do we always think that God is good?  Be honest.  What about when you lose a loved one?  What about when you lose a great job?  What about when you become seriously ill?  What about when you or a loved one has a terrible accident leaving you or them permanently disabled?  What about those times?

We can’t let our circumstances dictate and shape what we believe about God.  If we do then we will always walk in fear.   Remember we have no control over the circumstances.  But if we can remember that God is good and we can remember what it says in Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.   God is in control and when we realize that we can walk in freedom from fear.

We all have doubts from time to time.  Let’s go back to our friend Job who as we said last week went through a very overwhelming time.  He had doubts at times about God’s goodness.  In fact he thought that God was doing all this stuff to him for no real reason.  That’s why he kept asking God for an audience.  

Here are some examples from a website that I found that show Job's doubts.

• Job 7:20 (HCSB)  ⌊If⌋ I have sinned, what have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I have become a burden to You? 
• Job 9:21-23 (HCSB)21  Though I am blameless, I no longer care about myself; I renounce my life.22  It is all the same. Therefore I say, “He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.”23  When disaster brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent.
• Job 19:5-6 (HCSB)5  If you really want to appear superior to me and would use my disgrace as evidence against me,6  then understand that it is God who has wronged me and caught me in His net.
• All of chapter 13

God finally did answer Job starting in Chapter 38 but it wasn't what he wanted to hear and he never got the answers to the questions that he had but by the time that conversation was over Job no longer doubted that God loved him and the proof is in what happened later.  

Pastor Noble talks about another guy that we think of as a spiritual giant,  John the Baptist. A change in John's circumstances caused him to have doubts just like Job had when his circumstances changed.    Go to Matthew 11:11 to see what Jesus said about John the Baptist Matthew 11:11 (HCSB)11  “I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.   

John was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.  Go to John 1:29-30 (HCSB)29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!30  This is the One I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’  

Well John’s circumstances changed and he was thrown into prison he started to doubt who Jesus was.   Go to Matthew 11:2-3 (HCSB)2  When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent ⌊a message⌋ by his disciples  and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

The point is that we all doubt God sometimes especially when our circumstances change from good to bad or from bad to worse.

4.  How do we know that while going through all his pain and doubt that Job didn't give up or not believe that God was good?  

Read what he said in Job 19:25-27 (HCSB)25  But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last.26  Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh.27  I will see Him myself; my eyes will look at ⌊Him⌋, and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me.

Job based his hope on the truth that God is God and that He is good.

All Things for Good

5. What is our foundational verse for this study?

Romans 8:28 (HCSB) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Image credit.  beliefpics.christianpost.com

When we are being overwhelmed by life that sounds like a great bible verse but not reality when we consider the stuff we are going through. 

6.  What would you think that verse means?

It means it’s not over until God says it’s over.  I've said during this study that God knows the end from the beginning.  We have to wait on God’s timing.  I wrote a blog post a couple of weeks ago,  "Having Faith in God is Trusting in God’s Timing" when you get some time you should read it.  Let’s go to Isaiah 46:10 (HCSB)10  I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.

Here’s the point.  We only see the past and we see today. God sees to the end.  Let’s look at Job again.  His end was twice as blessed as his beginning but he couldn't see it while he was in the middle of his circumstances.   I like what Pastor Noble says about the way to think when you are in a situation where you say “I just don’t see how “God can turn my overwhelming circumstances into something good.”  A lot of us can agree with this, I know that I can.  Here is what Perry says in the Chapter “God is still God and God is Still Good”.

“I understand the feeling, and I've been there myself.  But this is the same God who turned a crucifixion into a resurrection, a bloodstained cross into an empty tomb.  And if He did it then, He can do it again.  He’s the same God".  

Here’s another way to look at it.  I like the way Pastor Noble the Star Wars series of movies.  It’s like seeing the first scene in on of the Star Wars movies or, as Perry says like looking at 15 seconds of one of the movies in the Star Wars series and then telling George Lucas that you already knew the entire plot and you have some suggestions on how the make the entire series better.  Just as George Lucas knew how he wanted the story to go God knows how He wants your story to go.  He’s not limited by our thoughts which are limited.  He's not worried about time because He is outside of time.  He is working things to make the end of our story or the resolution of the problem better than we can imagine.    Pain may be part of it but we aren’t unique in that.   Many of our biblical heroes went through pain.  Some of the was self inflicted and others not.

7.  Who are some of those heros?

We have talked about some of them during our study.   They are Job, Daniel and his three friends, and Joseph.  Then there's Moses, David, Paul, Jesus, and many more.  Sometimes the potential to be blessed is in direct proportion to the pain we are willing to endure, and we can endure it because God will be with us when it is the toughest.  Remember that nobody showed up for for Shadrach, Meshach, and  Abednego, until they were in the furnace.  

Here’s the example that Pastor Noble has at the end of chapter 34.  Your doctor has just told you that you have cancer and then tells you that it needs to be cut out of you.  You would be insane to then say that your doctor was not acting in your best interest because he wanted to wound, or cut you.  Your doctor's perfect response would be “Actually, it’s because I care about you that I’m willing to wound you to remove what will kill you if it remains inside you.

God loves you enough to allow you to be wounded if necessary to remove what will destroy you if it isn't removed.  It could be pride, greed, sexual sin, unforgiveness, or something else.  As Perry says God's goodness is defined by who He is, not by our own limited understanding of Him.  

God is not Silent

Sometimes when we are going through overwhelming circumstances and we pray and pray for the answer and it doesn't come right away we may think that God is silent and that He doesn't care, or that He can’t help.  

8.  What did we say last week and again today?

Don’t give up.  God knows what we’re going through, He knows that we’re frustrated, tired, and struggling, and want to quit.  But just hang on.  Remember Job.  He went a long time not hearing from God but he didn't give up and He was blessed double.  When waiting on God’s timing, which is perfect,  like Paul we need to keep things in perspective, an eternal perspective, not a current circumstance perspective.  

We've studied some of Paul’s letters to the churches and his ministry in the book of Acts.  Talk about overwhelming circumstances.  He was beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked.  Go to 2 Corinthians 11:25 (HCSB) Three times I was beaten with rods ⌊by the Romans⌋. Once I was stoned ⌊by my enemies⌋. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea.

9.  What was Paul’s perspective on all this?

Go to 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (HCSB)16  Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.17  For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.18  So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Image credit. Lynn Kane via Pinterest

I keep going back to Job because he is a great example of why we shouldn't give up.  Go again to Job 42:12-17 (HCSB)12  So the LORD blessed the last part of Job’s life more than the first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.13  He also had seven sons and three daughters.14  He named his first ⌊daughter⌋ Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch.15  No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance with their brothers.16  Job lived 140 years after this and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.17  Then Job died, old and full of days.  

Job was twice as wealthy as before.  He had the same number of children as before, his marriage came back together otherwise he wouldn't have had the children, and after Job prayed for them his friends blessed him with stuff.  

The One Who Never Quit

Job’s story is wonderful but there’s another one about somebody not giving up.  

10.  Who was that person?

When you want to quit think about this person. Think about Jesus.  He was betrayed, attacked, beaten, and killed.  We can’t even imagine how much He suffered.  Jesus is our example.  He’s the one that we should pattern ourselves after.  He didn’t quit under severely overwhelming circumstances.  Yes we can say but He’s Jesus.  Yes He is but remember when He walked the earth He was a man just like us.  He didn't quit and neither should we.  We've said it many times before, God is greater than any and everything that you’re going through or will go through so don’t give up on the God who has never given up on you.  

The Weight of the World

Sometimes when we are going through an overwhelming time we feel like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders  and that we are alone, that nobody wants to hear about what we’re going through.  You are just going to have to deal with this one on your own.  I know that I have told people that before.  After reading this book and going through this study I hope that I never say that to anybody ever again.  I wrote a post for my website after the Robin Williams suicide called “Christians and Depression”  Here’s what I wrote:

“ We were not made to be alone remember in Genesis what God said about Adam?  

Genesis 2:18 (HCSB) Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper as his complement.”

When Jesus was facing his crucifixion that night in the garden of Gethsemane he took Peter, James and John with Him so that he was not alone.

Matthew 26:36-37 (HCSB) 36  Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”37  Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

You aren't the only one going through tough times. You are not a bad person because you are struggling even though others seem to be able to conquer the same thing you are dealing with.   Remember that you, as a believer, are a son or daughter of God, and a brother or sister of Christ, no matter what the situation.  And your Father and Brother are greater than the situation.  

Here’s the proof and is the way that Pastor Perry Noble ends his book:

“Jesus walked out of a grave as proof to us that we can walk out of what is holding us down.

The weight that is pressing down on you doesn't have to define you, because no matter what you're facing right now...Jesus is greater than your biggest doubt. Jesus is greater than your deepest regret.  Jesus is greater than your impossible situation.  Jesus is greater than your most overwhelming circumstances.  The empty tomb is proof that nothing can hold Jesus back.  And if He lives in you, nothing can hold you back either."

 Keep this in mind and you will truly win the war against worry.

God bless you.

In light of all the things that are going on in the Middle East today many Christians and others are wondering if these things are fulfillment of prophecy and a sign that the end is near.  I thought that we would take a look at a book of the Bible that a lot of people use to say that these events are fulfillment of prophecy. No it’s not Revelations.  It’s the book that you have to understand if you want to understand Revelations.   It’s a book we used during this study, Daniel.  We are going to start in Chapter 7.   

It is not my intent to prove or disprove what people are saying about whether these things are the fulfillment of prophecy or not.  My goal is to equip you through study so you can make your own determinations. 

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Stress Less and Enjoy Each Day by Thomas Nelson
The Worry Workbook by Les Carter, Ph.D and Frank Minirth, M.D.
Out of Control by Ben Young, Dr.Samuel Adams
God Will Carry You Through by Max Lucado