God’s Stress Remover

SUMMARY

Stress is a killer, but we can’t escape it since

we’re surrounded by distressing situations of

all kinds.

The question is, How are we going to handle it?

Many people try to escape their anxious feelings with

medications, drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, or anything

that brings relief. But none of these methods are truly

effective. The ultimate solution only comes from God,

and He has freely provided it to every one of His

children.

I know this solution works because I have

experienced it. At one point in my ministry, I was

hospitalized three times in one year because of the

stress I placed on myself. Thinking that I ought to take

advantage of every opportunity that came my way, I

was trying to do more than God intended. As a result, I

became so tired and run down that I had to take three

months off. My son and I spent six weeks on an island

as I recovered. It was during this time that God taught

me how to handle stress. The answer is not found in a

bottle of pills, but in times of solitude with the Lord.

SERMON POINTS

Jesus also experienced stress, but He knew

exactly how to handle it.

Once, after feeding a multitude of five thousand, Jesus

sent His disciples away in a boat and went up on the

mountain by Himself to pray (Matt. 14:22-23). In fact,

seeking solitude with His Father was His customary

practice, especially after dramatic situations. We also

see this same example in the apostle Paul’s life. After

he was dramatically saved, he headed for Arabia to

seek solitude with God (Gal. 1:17). Time spent alone in

prayer with God is vital.

The practice of solitude

Spending time alone with the Lord sets us free

from stress. This kind of isolation is not the same

as loneliness. Solitude is a choice to be alone, to

voluntarily separate ourselves from others. But

loneliness is a painful inner emptiness that results

from feeling disconnected from others. It involves a

sense of not belonging and being alone in a universe of

uncaring people.

The purpose of solitude is to privately commune with

God. The goal is not to study the Bible or bring our

petitions and concerns to Him, but to simply be with

the Lord. That’s when the chokehold of stress is broken,

and all our tensions subside. This doesn’t mean we’ll

never experience stress again, but solitude teaches us

how to deal with it in God’s way when it comes.

Reasons for solitude

The Lord wants us to be alone with Him for two

primary reasons:

n For a relationship. God created us in His image

because He wanted to have a relationship with us

for all eternity (Gen. 1:26). No other creature on

earth was given this privilege. In fact, God loved

us so much that He was willing to send His Son to

die for us in order to break down the barrier which

sin created (Rom. 5:7-8). Yet despite all this, many

Christians don’t have time for Him. However, we

won’t be able to relate to the Lord if our minds are

preoccupied, and our schedules are full. Solitude

is the only way this intimate relationship with our

Creator becomes a reality.

n For preparation. Solitude is also God’s way of

preparing us for the day ahead. That’s why we

should begin each morning with time alone with

Him. Although reading the Word and spending time

in prayer are very important, the primary purpose

Sermon Notes

SERMON NOTES | SN130505

of solitude is to experience God’s presence. He

wants to be alone with each one of us because that’s

when He’s able to reveal Himself in awesome ways

so we can know Him intimately and feel a sense of

belonging.

Experiencing solitude

How do we experience solitude?

n By opening God’s Word to focus on Him. Although

solitude is not synonymous with Bible study and

prayer, we do need to spend a short period of time

reading the Word so our thinking will be Godoriented.

This is not the time to focus on our needs

and prayer requests. The point is to become more

sensitive to the Lord’s presence.

n By eliminating distractions. To prevent our minds

from drifting, we need to find a dark and quiet place

that is free from distractions. The goal is to be still

and quiet so we can give the Lord our undivided

attention. As we enjoy sweet fellowship with Him, all

our worries, fears, and stress drain away, and we’re

strengthened to handle whatever comes.

Benefits of solitude

If we practice solitude, our lives will be changed in the

following ways:

n Makes our busy days more fruitful. If we begin

each day with the Lord, setting our minds and hearts

on Him and listening for His voice, He’ll guide

us and make whatever we do more productive in

service to Him.

n Repairs damage. After a hard day, when we just

can’t handle any more, a time of solitude with the

Lord refuels us emotionally. All the troubles and

anxieties are released, and we come away liberated

and refreshed.

n Equips us to face the tough days. Time alone with

the Lord enables us to face the trials, heartaches,

and burdens of difficult days with calm confidence

and assurance of His presence with us.

n Creates surprising moments. When we meet

quietly with the Lord, He may unexpectedly answer

our prayers in surprising ways and reveal even more

than we ask.

n Strips us of pride. In God’s presence we begin

to recognize His holiness, perfection, and power,

and as a result, understand how lowly we are in

comparison.

n Protects health. Stress affects our bodies and

damages our health, but solitude with the Lord

releases our anxiety so we don’t have to suffer its

harmful effects.

n Makes a difference in relationships. When we’ve

released our stress to the Lord, our relationships

with others improve.

n Gives peace and joy. Times of solitude with God

can calm our hearts, quiet our spirits, and enable us

to overcome anything we’re facing in life.

n Gives greater strength from the Lord. He enables

us to handle each day’s challenges.

n Produces greater trust in God. We rest in the

knowledge that our heavenly Father will take care

of us.

n Develops a deeper relationship with the Lord.

In those quiet times, we learn to know Him more

intimately.

RESPONSE

n How do you normally handle stress in your life?

n In what way is solitude different from another form

of stress relief you’ve experienced?

n Have you ever practiced solitude with God as a

solution to stress?

n What benefits have become evident from your

practice of solitude? Would you recommend it to

others who are dealing with stress?

Copyright © 2015 by In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. In Touch grants permission to  use .

intouch.org