Rely on Jehovah When Under Stress

"I am . . . under great stress." - 1 SAMUEL 1:15.

IN HIS prophecy about the last days, Jesus said:  "Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with . . . anxieties of life [or, over livelihood, worries of daily life,"] (Luke 21:34)  We need to listen to that warning.  Why? At present, we must deal with the same type of stressful problems that everyone faces. 

 Sometimes, we must face a number of stressful problems at the same time.  Consider the following examples.  A Witness named John, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was devastated when his wife abandoned him after 19 years of marriage.  This his two daughters stopped serving Jehovah.  A couple named Bob and Linda faced a different set of challenges.  They both lost their jobs, and then they lost their home. In addition to those problems, Linda was diagnosed with potentially fatal heart-related illness, and another disease began to damage her immune system.

We can be sure that our Creator and loving Father, Jehovah, understands how stress affects us. And he wants to help us deal with the challenges we face.  (Read Philippians 4:6, 7.)   God's Word contains many accounts that describe the challenges his servants endured.  It also records how how Jehovah helped them deal with those stressful situations. Let us consider a few examples. 

Next time: Rely on Jehovah When Under Stress - ELIJAH - "A MAN WITH FEELINGS LIKE OURS"

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