Coping With Stress

In John 16:33 Jesus said, "In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world." The word "tribulation" in this verse means "pressure brought about by outward circumstances." Everyone is under some degree of pressure or stress each day. How do we cope with such pressure and stress. Jesus also said in that verse, "But take heart, I have overcome the world." In and of ourselves we are not able to overcome the world nor are we capable of overcoming the pressure and stress in this world. The ability to overcome the world is directly related to one's on going relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship is defined in Psalm 111. In our worship service we are going to see how the Israelites coped with their pressure and stress after the exile. We all have a tendency to look for a number of steps to follow in order to cope with stress. But that is not the way scripture instructs us to handle our stress. Read Psalm 111 in preparation for worship this coming Lord's Day.