Disrupting the Chaos

Introduction

In a recent article by Francis Bridges of Forbes Magazine, she gives several ways to maintain your mental health during the Christmas season.

This time of year work and social calendars kick into high gear. Work becomes busier in anticipation of time off in the coming months, and there are more social events at work and with friends and family to celebrate the season. As a result, stress, anxiety and depression can increase.

Get enough sleep.

Stick to your routine.

Set a budget and stick to it.

Don’t rely on drugs, alcohol, or food.

I find it interesting that first on the list deals with rest.

Problem: We are busy people. And, during the Christmas season, any margin in our lives can easily vanish. We are running out of fuel—and running on fumes. Without too much effort, we are becoming stressed out and burned out.

Stress can invite family strife, personal depression, and problematic decision making.

During this season of the year, we become vulnerable to sin.

So, Jesus gives to his followers an invitation:

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus offers you an opportunity to disrupt the chaos.

Know Jesus and His Compassion.

“Come to me”—Jesus says.

Finding and experiencing genuine rest and balance in your life requires the work of God in your life.

And, the first step in living that way is to know Jesus and what he wants to do in your life.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Faith—trusting in Jesus (who He is and what He does—in relationship to you) is essential. There is no other way.

Illustration: My mom and dad on a cruise—attends a Bible Study. A couple who seemed to have a strong knowledge of God’s Word suggested that there are more than one way to God and salvation (besides Jesus).

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Disrupting the chaos in our lives begins with Jesus.

Understand Your Spiritual Condition.

“all who labor and are heavy laden...”

George Barna wrote a book about the ease in which we can find ourselves in a spiritually dangerous situation. He used the image of a frog in the kettle—oblivious to the fact that the fire under the kettle would eventually bring about his demise.

We need to be honest with our spiritual, physical, and emotional condition. And for many, that is difficult to do.

One of the issues that can drive a person toward exhaustion is “religion”—if we are not careful, even activity in the church can drive us toward chais.

Accept the truth that Jesus is the Source of Rest.

“I will give your rest.”

If we are not careful, we can attempt to find the rest we need in all the wrong places.

Stress and burnout leaves us vulnerable to shortcuts and sin.

Drinking and Drugs

Sexual immorality.

Spending too much money on things.

We need Jesus—who is the source of real, lasting rest.

Embrace a Life with Jesus.

Matthew 11:28 The Message

28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Recovery and restoration comes through Christ. It is about relationship and fellowship with God.

Illustration: Silent Prayer Retreat.

Jesus provides “rest for your souls” (v. 29)—that is, eternal rest for all who seek forgiveness of their sins and freedom from the crushing legalistic burden and guilt of trying to earn salvation by good works.

Live Life in the Power of God’s Grace

Matthew 11:30 ESV

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus is not saying that you can live life without responsibility or work. And he is not suggesting that life will be easy.

What Jesus is saying is that he will come along side you and share your burden.

My wife often says that many hands means light work.

Jesus make life possible—even when we go through hardship and pain.

2 Corinthians 4:8–10 ESV

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Questions

Why do you think people experience stress and burnout during the Christmas season?

How do you handle stress in your life?

What spiritual activities can you use to help you from stressing out in life?

How does Jesus help those who are going through difficult experiences?