Is Your Life Too Stressful?

This matter may be of concern to you because your job or family situation may weigh heavily upon you. Or other responsibilities may seem overwhelming. If so, you are like the sincere ones Jesus met and helped. For example, consider the problem of earning a living. Many struggle with that today, and so did many in Jesus' time.

Back then, a laborer toiled 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, usually for just one denarius for the whole day. (Matthew 20:2-10) How does that compare with your wages or those of your friends? It can be challenging to compare ancient wages with those of modern times. One way is to consider purchasing power, what money can buy. One scholar says that in Jesus' day a loaf of bread made with four cups of wheat flour cost about one hour's pay. Another scholar says that a cup of good wine cost about two hour's pay. You can see from such details that people at that time toiled long and hard to keep living. They needed relief and refreshment, as we do. If you are employed, you may feel pressured to produce more. Often we do not find time to make a well-thought-out decisions. you may admit that you long for relief.

Clearly, Jesus' invitation to all who were "toiling and loaded down" would have been most appealing to many listeners back then. ( Matthew 4:25; Mark3:7, 8) And recall that Jesus added the promise, "I will refresh you." That same promise is in effect today. It can apply to us if we are "toiling and loaded down." And it can apply to our loved ones whose situation is likely similar.

There are other things weighing on people. Raising children is a major challenge . Even being a child is can be challenging. An increasing number of individuals of all ages confront mental and physical health problems. And while people may live longer, the elderly have special issues to contend with, despite advances in medicine. - Ecclesiastes 12:1.

Next time: Under The Yoke