The Secret to Stressless Living

We hardly need to be reminded, but all signs indicate that there has never been a more stress-ridden society than ours.

Seven out of ten people told a US News /Bozell Survey, that they feel stressed at some point during the day.

43% of all adults suffer noticeable physical and emotional symptoms from burnout.

Somewhere between 75 and 90% of all visits to the doctor's office stem from stress.

Stress is known to be a leading cause of heart disease and cancer.

Stress causes depression and can lead to migraine headaches, hypertension, chest pains, ulcers, gastritis, colitis, and heartburn.

And so, I think this story from Luke’s gospel speaks to us as much as it did to Martha (Luke 10:38-42) .

Jesus told Martha: “"YOU ARE ANXIOUS AND TROUBLED ABOUT MANY THINGS."

Yeah, she was.
And, we sure are, wouldn’t you say?

Truer words were never spoken – certainly not truer words that speak to us today.

And what did Jesus tell Martha?
"YOU ARE ANXIOUS AND TROUBLED ABOUT MANY THINGS," but only one thing is needful,
there is one thing that is more important than all the rest.

And Mary understands it.
Mary gets it.
Mary had taken the psalm we read to heart:

You, Lord, give me all I need . . .
My future is in your hands . . .
In all that goes on in the world around me
I am always aware of God’s presence –
God is near [always] no matter what.

We are anxious and troubled about many things. But ONE THING IS NEEDFUL.

And therein I believe lies the secret to stressless living.

Write these words down.

Memorize them.

Say them over and over again when you get up in the morning, in the middle of the day when things start getting to you, and in bed at night before you fall off to sleep.

This can actually help you sleep better at night.

This probably save you a few trips to the doctor.

You are worried and troubled over so many things – but there is one more important than all the others.

You, Lord, give me all I need . . .
My future is in your hands . . .
In all that goes on in the world around me
I am always aware of your presence –
God is near [always] no matter what.

These are life-changing words.
Say it – over and over again.
Believe it – day in and day out.
It will change your life.
Stress and anxiety take a back seat to this positive affirmation.

Amen.

These comments were part of sermon heard by the congregation of The Connecting Place: Christ Presbyterian Church in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, gathered on September 19, 2010.