Dealing With Distress

Introduction

Distress- Affliction; calamity; misery- we would often refer to this as stress

About 33 percent of people report feeling extreme stress

About 33 percent of people report feeling extreme stress

Unfortunately, for about half of all Americans, levels of stress are getting worse instead of better.

77 percent of people experience stress that affects their physical health

73 percent of people have stress that impacts their mental health

48 percent of people have trouble sleeping because of stress

48 percent of people have trouble sleeping because of stress

Unfortunately, for about half of all Americans, levels of stress are getting worse instead of better

Unfortunately, for about half of all Americans, levels of stress are getting worse instead of better

The question then is what can we do about it?

David’s Distress

During this time of his life David had been on the run from Saul who was out to kill him. He now found himself dwelling in Philistia already away from home under difficult circumstances.

Now to make matters worse, when he returns to Ziklag, he finds the city smoldering and all of the women and children who were dwelling in the city have been taken captive by his enemies.

Then all of the men who had been so loyal to him, turned on him and considered stoning him because of their grief in losing their own families to the enemy.

You and may never find ourselves in such dire circumstances but we will certainly experience situations that bring stress into our lives.

It may be a loss such as David experienced. He lost his wife and children to the enemy and certainly in the beginning had no idea if he would ever see them again.

It may be a crippling defeat such as David experienced. There is no doubt that, when David came to Ziklag and saw the smoke ascending from the city then realized that all of the women and children that he was responsible for had been taken, he felt like a failure as their leader.

It may be simply being overwhelmed with the obstacles you are facing. David must have been overwhelmed when he began to think about what he could do to correct the situation.

It may be a feeling that you have no one to turn to or that those closest to you have turned on you. David certainly knew what it was like to feel like everyone was against him.

All of us will experience stress, but far too often we respond by doing nothing or by searching for carnal relief.

David’s Dilemma

David was “greatly distressed” and I believe that is to put it lightly.

But who could he turn to during these most difficult days?

He couldn’t confide in his wife for she had been taken by the enemy and David did not even know if she was still alive.

He couldn’t confide in his friends since they had turned on him and now spoke of stoning him to death.

He couldn’t turn to his family because he was far away from home and to return would likely mean being killed at the hands of Saul.

It seems that there was no one that David could turn to for support and strength.

David’s Discovery

Truly there was only one person that David could turn to and that was the Lord!

You and I will find that there are times in life when no one seems to understand or no one is around who can offer to us help or support but for those who know Jesus Christ there is always one who knows our pain and who has the ability to strengthen us for whatever the difficulties we are facing.

In the most difficult and trying times of his life, David knew exactly where to turn for strength and help.

- help in time of need

There is no one on earth who will understand our situation like the Lord. There is no one on earth who can provide strength and relief like the Lord.

We may find strength and help in family, friends, or among our brothers and sisters in Christ, but no one can offer us the peace and comfort that God can!

David found the courage to continue when he turned to the Lord. The strength he needed to face these terrible circumstances came from God alone.

David’s Recovery

How do we respond and recover from the destructive effects of stress?

David not only encouraged himself in the Lord but he also sought direction from the Lord which led to his recovery.

If we want to recover we must do the same. This is not the first time that David had sought direction from the Lord in the midst of trying circumstances.

- David sought the Lord and escaped the hand of Saul

Now David seeks direction from the Lord concerning pursuit of the Amalekites. God gives direction which leads to the recovery of all that was lost!

- they recovered all.

When we are facing times of distress we must seek direction from the Lord and He will bring about recovery.

God may not give us back the loved one we have lost but He will help us to deal with the grief and pain that we feel and help us to know peace once again.

God will lead us to victory over our stress and will give to us peace and joy once again.

We do not have to live in a state of constant stress, but if we desire real and lasting relief, we must learn to look to the Lord and to trust Him to guide us through the storms of life!