“O God . . you have relieved me in my distress.” Psalm 4:1 NKJV
“In distress, you have to do something that holds some hope of helping; try God.”
My thoughts today are about “distress.”
How would you describe distress? Distress is a disappointment, concern, or difficulty taken to its emotional extreme. It can describe an emotional state of uncertainty and pressure. Distress is a big deal. Distress is the emotional anguish you experience from unwelcome necessities that impose upon you, leaving you uncomfortable and more than a little troubled.
Paul knew the feeling. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels . . we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 KJV. Other translations of “distressed” in this verse substitute the words, “crushed, or hard pressed.” Stress is inevitable, but distress, one of its after effects, is not – “troubled, yet not distressed!”
Distress is like trash; it is quite normal to generate it, but if not disposed of properly, it will overwhelm your life. Distress is unhealthy when prolonged – either mentally, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, or even physically unhealthy. There will be disconcerting times and difficult situations – even unfortunate encounters with people – that cause you distress. Those feelings happen when you cannot find relief or resolve the circumstances that are disquieting.
One of the Greek words for distress is defined as: “to be pressed, as in a narrow place.” Have you heard the expression about being “between a rock and hard place?” Sometimes life will place you there, at a time when you feel you have limited options and none of those seem very good. Could that describe where you are walking right now?
You cannot simply ignore such moments, nor successfully pretend them away. You have to do something, and that something has to hold some hope of helping. There is an inclination to a mental and emotional paralysis when distressed. I found this practical quote interesting, “When you commit to action, to actually doing something rather than feeling trapped by events, the stress in your life becomes manageable.” Greg Anderson. The Bible gives you an action that brings hope, even when you know nothing else to do: “Don’t be anxious about anything, pray about everything! Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” See Philippians 4:6-9. That works; doing nothing doesn’t!
Stop struggling; stop stressing. “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get His help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.” James 1:2-5 J.B.Phillips New Testament/The Message.
Take your distress to God; here’s what you too will find, “O God . . you have relieved me in my distress.” Psalm 4:1 NKJV. Bring it all to Jesus!
My prayer for you today is that you let your distress push you to God.