Rely on Jehovah When Under Stress - HANNAH, DAVID, AND "ASAPH" RELIED ON JEHOVAH

Other Bible people also faced great stress.  For example, Hannah endured the sigma of being childless as well as the cruel taunting from her rival wife.  (1 Samuel 1:2, 6) Hannah's extreme stress made her so bitter that she wept and lost her appetite. - 1 SAMUEL 1:7, 10.

At times, King David was overwhelmed by stress. Think of the challenges he faced. He was weighed down with guilt for the many mistakes he had made.  (Psalm 40:12)  His beloved Absalom rebelled against him, leading to Absalom's death.  (2 Samuel 15:13, 14; 18:33)  And one of David's closest friends betrayed him.  ( 2 Samuel 16:23-17:2; Psalm 55:12-14)   Many of the psalms David wrote convey his feelings of discouragement as well as his unshakable trust in Jehovah.  - PSALM 38:5-10; 94:17-19. 

Later, a psalmist began to envy the lifestyle of wicked people. He may have been a descendant of the Levite Asaph, and he served at "the grand sanctuary of God."  This psalmist suffered emotional stress, causing him to become unhappy and discontented.  He even started to doubt the blessing that come from serving God. - PSALM 73:2-5, 7, 12-14, 16, 17, 21.

The three true worshippers just mentioned all relied on Jehovah for help.  They shared their anxiety with him through fervent prayer.  They spoke freely to him about the reasons why they were so stressed. And they continued to go to Jehovah's place of worship. - 1 SAMUEL 1:9, 10; PSALM 55:22; 73:17; 122:1.

Jehovah compassionately responded to each one of them.  Hannah gained peace of mind. (1 Samuel 1:18)  David wrote:  "Many are the hardships of the righteous one, but Jehovah rescues him from them all." (Psalm 34:19)  And the psalmist later felt that Jehovah had "taken hold of [his] right hand," guiding him with loving advice.  He sang: "As for me, drawing near to God is good for me. I have made the Sovereign Lord Jehovah my refuge." (Psalm 73:23, 24, 28) What do we learn from these examples? At times, we will be burdened with problems that cause us stress. But we can cope if we meditate on how Jehovah has helped others, rely on him in prayer, and obey him by doing what he asks us to do. -PSALM 143:1, 4-8. 

Next time: Rely on Jehovah When Under Stress - RELY ON JEHOVAH AND SUCCEED

From the jw.org publications