Stress

Exodus 18:13-23

We all deal with stress or are dealing with it now. This past week was stressful for a nation electing the next President. Some are stressed over the future, while others have had their stress relieved. The interesting thing about this past week is that God is still the King! What is stress, and how do we cope with it?

Stress is a natural reaction to challenges or demands that leads to emotional or physical tension. Have you ever experienced tension headaches? These headaches are related to stress. Many of us push ourselves too hard, resulting in stress. Moses attempted to take on more than he could manage, exceeding God's requirements.

A recent study found that over 70% of people feel stressed daily. We often pile on responsibilities—work, family, social obligations—thinking we must do everything. But consider Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, who felt such anguish that He sweated drops of blood. Even He surrendered to God instead of succumbing to stress. Like Him, we must learn to surrender our burdens to God, discovering peace in release rather than control.

Stress is an unavoidable part of life. For one, having children often brings stress. Additionally, our world continually competes for God's attention. Finally, we often fret about outcomes that are entirely beyond our control.

Reading about what Moses is doing, we see stress can lead to trying to do more than you can. Taking our focus from God. Leaving us with feelings of inadequacy.

But there is a cure that Jethro gives to Moses, which applies to us, too.

Overwork:

In verse 13, we see Moses being overworked and consumed by the people throughout his day. Could you imagine sitting and listening to issues from the moment you woke up until you went to bed and having to judge them?

Moses had just reunited with his family, but the following day, he judged others instead of enjoying their company. His father-in-law went out to look for him, as Moses hadn't even had the chance to relax due to the stress of leading God’s people.

I have two questions for you to consider. What would happen to Moses if Jethro had not been there to give him advice? Do you have a Jethro you trust and listen to?

Unfocused:

When we are overwhelmed with work, our concentration suffers. Jethro observed that Moses’ actions were detrimental not only to him but also to his family and his followers. One of Satan’s strategies is to keep us preoccupied and distracted. We become trapped by the demands of life that we impose on ourselves, losing sight of God's expectations. However, connections with family, friends, and community provide rejuvenation and support, equipping us to tackle the challenges ahead.

Inadequacy:

Consider Jethro’s advice in verse 18. Feeling overwhelmed and scattered can result in your inadequacy and that of those you lead. How often do we feel unworthy of the responsibilities God has entrusted to us? Whether you've recently received a promotion or embarked on a new role, doubts about your qualifications may arise. Here's a piece of wisdom: if God has placed you in this position, He will guide you through it! These three steps represent Satan’s effort to distract you from your divine purpose. He understood that if he could turn Moses into a busybody, it would hinder his ability to lead effectively.

But there is a cure, and God reveals it to us.

Cure:

Listen to Wise Advice:

Jethro readily offered guidance to Moses. While Moses had the choice to accept it or not, he trusted Jethro’s insights. Jethro advised him to delegate tasks to others when he felt burdened by the responsibility of leading the Israelites. This teaches us that even the most influential leaders require assistance. Just as Moses learned to depend on others, we should also acknowledge our limitations and seek advice from those around us. It highlights the importance of teamwork and community in God’s design for His people.

Imagine a young bird learning to fly. At first, it flaps its wings frantically, unsure and scared. But as it takes a leap of faith, it glides, finding that its wings carry it further than stress ever could. Similarly, in 1 Peter 5:7, we are instructed to cast all our anxiety on Him. Sometimes, we overexert ourselves, failing to realize that faith can take us farther than stress ever will.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Trusted People:

Jethro tells him to select men to help him. He gives four qualifications for these men: they must be able, fear God, be truthful, and hate covetousness.

The challenging aspect of forming your inner circle is that not everyone can be included. Some may appear friendly, yet they may be betrayals in disguise. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t maintain a relationship with them; just be aware of the necessary boundaries when interacting with them.

God owns the results:

Consider the burden that Moses carried as he judged the people. Each decision he made impacted the lives of many, creating a ripple effect throughout the community. Just as Moses faced overwhelming responsibility, we, too, may find ourselves in positions where we make critical decisions. This reminds us of the importance of seeking God's wisdom in our judgments and leadership, just like Moses did.

There's a story about a tightrope walker who, after mesmerizing a crowd, asked if they believed he could carry a person across. Everyone shouted 'Yes!' Then he asked for a volunteer. The crowd fell silent. Like that tightrope walker, we believe God can carry our burdens but hesitate to hand them over. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us not to be anxious but to present our requests to God, who offers peace in exchange for our worry.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.