1. THE REALITY OF STRESS Sunday 13 May 2018 Lovemore Tafirenyika Makunike
Servant of the Most High God
Midrand Impact Christian Centre

2. STRESS
Stress Defined - as “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension” or “a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize.” (

3. KEY BIBLE TEXT
1 Kings 19:1-2 (NIV) Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

4. SPIRIT SOUL BODY Awareness Sight Hearing Mind Sensitivity Taste Touch
FROM PASTOR DENNIS
SPIRIT
God-consciousness
SOUL
Self-consciousness
BODY
World-consciousness
Awareness
Sensitivity
Understanding
Motivation
Mind
Will
Emotions
Sight Hearing
Taste Touch
Smell

5. 1 Kings 19:3-5 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life
1 Kings 19:3-5 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

6. 1 Kings 19: 5b-9 All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

7. Expected Stereotypical elements
1 Kings 19: 9b-13 And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Expected Stereotypical elements

8. 1 Kings 19: He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

9. SCIENCE AND BELIEF
Scientists have described how a stressed brain triggers rampant hormone release, which leads to imbalanced immunity and long-term physical wear and tear.
Canadian researchers have found that strong religious convictions can lower stress and enhance the performance of basic tasks. A team in Toronto put 28 students through tests measuring both levels of religious observance and stress caused by making mistakes on a test. The published study by professors at the University of Toronto and York University points to religious believers out-performing non-believers on cognitive tasks. “The more religious they were, the less brain activity they showed in response to their own errors,” said University of Toronto assistant psychology professor Michael Inzlicht, lead author of the study. “They are calmer when they make errors.” Copyright © 2009, Religion News Service.
BELIEF IN HIGHER AUTHORITY MAKES US CALMER

10. Do not Ignore Stress is harmful—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.

11. IMPACT OF STRESS Cardiovascular disease Hypertension Depression
Anxiety
Sexual dysfunction
Infertility and irregular cycles
Frequent colds
Insomnia and fatigue
Trouble concentratingv
Memory loss
Appetite changes
Digestive problems and dysbiosis

13. ANIMALS GET STRESSED TOO

15. WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE TO STRESS?

16. 1 Peter 5:7 King James Version (KJV)
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Cast your care on the Lord and let Him carry it.
And if we want to get out of stress, we've got to do what the Word says
Leave it in His inbox
1 Peter 5:7 King James Version (KJV)

17. MAT 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
MATTHEW 11:28–29 (NIV)

18. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
 1 Thessalonians 5: Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5: (NIV)

19. (Borrowing from stress free quotes)
Harness stress for increased productivity, greater effectiveness, and renewed energy

20. To Execute any Significant Strategy overcome Stress

21. Philippians 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always
Philippians 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4–9 (NIV)

22. Conclusion
Relying and meditating on God’s Word helps us to understand that God is always with us and that he gives us the courage and strength to accomplish his will in all circumstances, no matter how stressful.
11/18/2018