Coping with Stressful Days

Day 220: Matthew 14

Matthew 14 presents a stressful day in the life of Jesus, and I think we can learn a lot about how Jesus reacts in relation to these events. Jesus learns that John the Baptist has been killed by Herod. His disciples come and tell him the news of his horrific death at the head of Herod's daughter. When Jesus learns of John's death, he goes off in a boat, hoping to be alone. But the people follow him, so Jesus has compassion and heals them. Then, they get hungry, and next is the story of Jesus feeding all of them. After they are all satisfied, Jesus goes away by himself to pray. The disciples meanwhile are in a boat and a storm comes. Jesus walks out to them on the water, and Peter gets out of the boat and attempts to walk to Jesus. He has faith to get out of the boat, but he starts sinking because he doubts. Jesus then gets into the boat with them and the storm grows calm. They go to the other side of lake and there news of him spreads.

What can we learn from Jesus in the midst of stress in our own lives?

1. Jesus shows us that even in the midst of terrible trials in our own lives, sometimes we must deal with the immediate concerns of those around us. Although Jesus wanted to be alone and reflect on the day, people were demanding his attention, and he has compassion and heals them. He responds to the need, regardless of what he personally was going through at the time. Daily, we are dealing with our own struggles. Some days we face things that we need time to process and deal with, but our families or friends or parents or children or churches or house--or whatever--demands our immediate attention. And it's OK to give it to them. To put our needs aside for a bit and to do what needs to be done.

2. Yet, when Jesus finds some time to be alone, he immediately goes away by himself to pray. After a sad and stressful day, Jesus goes to God and prays. We don't know what was said, but we do know that the next time we see him he is walking on the water to meet his disciples. Jesus was mourning the death of a friend--and doing much more than that, too, I'm sure--and so he went to the source of his strength. So often, I go to other people to talk about my problems before I go to God. But Jesus doesn't. He finds time to go by himself and pray. It wasn't that it was necessarily there--he could have filled up that time with other "more pressing" matters, but he carves out the time. He views it as that important, and so should we.

Jesus knows what it's like to be busy. And yet...he still takes the time to do important things like reconnecting to the Father. God can take care of all our problems--even if it's just being too busy--and he can help us. After we go to God, who knows, maybe we can even walk on water.

Read the Instructions

Day 216: Matthew 10

The calling of the twelve apostles is such a fascinating story. In Matthew, we aren't given much detail about how any of the apostles but Matthew are called. However, Matthew writes down the name of each apostle and even includes the instructions that Jesus gave them when he sent them out.

1. They were not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans--only the Jews.

2. They were to announce that the kingdom of God is near.

3. They were to perform acts on people: heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons, to give as freely as they have received.

4. They were not to take any money with them or a suitcase. They were to accept hospitality from people because "they deserve to be fed."

5. When they enter a place, they were to search for a worthy person and stay there until they left the town. They were to bless the home. If the home turns out to be worthy, then the blessing stands; if, however, it does not, they were to take back the blessing. For those households or towns that doesn't welcome them or listen to their message, they were to shake its dust from their feet as they leave.

Jesus was preparing his apostles for the journey. The mission was not an easy one, and the journey would be long, tiring, and hard. These men were going to be like "sheep among wolves (v. 16), and Jesus wanted to warn them what they were getting themselves into--floggings, whippings, hatred, persecution, loneliness. These are not easy things, but Jesus also offers them hope when he tells them:

"But everyone who endures to the end will be saved."
 
"But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!" 
 
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 

This journey was not going to be easy, but they believed in Jesus, his teaching, his mission. And they followed him. In spite of all the hardship they would suffer--and they all suffered for their faith--they still obeyed and left their old lives behind. It was all for the sake of Christ. What amazing trust and faith they had in Jesus.

Why don't we act like these apostles did. We don't--at least in America--suffer like these people suffered. We are selfish and individualistic. We may try to be an example and to tell others about Jesus, but our fear of rejection usually reminds us that we're too weak, too insignificant. But through Jesus, we can. When we trust ourselves, we have these feelings of insecurity and inferiority, but God can deliver us from these feelings. He just wants us to trust him. To give our lives to him. It's a lot to ask, and the journey won't be easy, but the reward, oh the reward, will be great.