Studying parts of the New Testament earlier this week, a bible study partner shared his feeling that the bible isn't a "psychology textbook" but it is a guide that provides us the wisest counsel for experiencing happiness here and now. Proverbs 17:22, for example, assures us that "a merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." That simple statement was recently corroborated by the extensive research of Dr. Daniel Mark, a heart specialist at Duke University. The New York Times article that reported his findings carried this headline: "Optimism Can Mean Life for Heart Patients and Pessimism Death." The article begins with these words: "A healthy outlook helps heal the heart." But Dr. Nancy Smith, a heart specialist who has studied the effect of depression, anxiety, and anger, admitted, "We don't know how to change negative emotions." Faith in God, however, can produce that change. People who look beyond their present difficulty and put their trust in God's goodness cannot help but be joyful. throughout the bible it is significant that our Savior invited us on several occasions to "be of good cheer." Knowing that life is filled with many crises, He encourages us with this word of reassurance: "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). We all find ourselves surrounded with all sorts of challenges that often test our optimism. Illnesses, financial, work or relationships issues or other. The bible tells us to trust in the Lord and not to worry about the things of this world. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:25-34) Therefore take all your anxiety and lift it up to the Lord, take your burdens and your stress to God knowing there is nothing He cannot bear. You have a friend in Jesus and resolve in the holy spirit. Always remember no matter what happens, you can always find joy in the Lord. No matter the pain or sorrow, lift it up to the Lord. Let's pray... Father God; Lord we thank you for your Word the Bible God we pray you will give us strength in difficult
times Please Lord forgive our sins as only you can Thank you all mighty God for all that you make
possible Praise God, This message was written by Rev. Daniel St.Pierre
THRIVE THROUGH CHRIST MINISTRIES 12000 FOURTH STREET NORTH BUILDING SEVEN SUITE 1 ST PETERSBURG FL 33716 HOTLINE 727.674.5681 - EMAIL INFO@THRIVETHROUGHCHRIST.COM |