Living At Peace In A Stressful World

A few Sundays ago I was sitting in my rocking chair on my front porch drinking my morning coffee before getting ready to leave for Sunday Church service. My dog Max lay at the top of the steps on the porch. Across the dirt road from where I live there stands a mighty, old oak tree that is probably three or four hundred years old. I’m sure it is at least four foot across. It has huge limbs that are as big as a large trees coming out on two sides. As I sat there drinking my coffee I heard a sound like an acorn dropping to the ground. The thought went through my mind that a squirrel was there and had dropped a nut to the ground. A few minutes later I heard the sound again but a little bit louder, then again extremely loud. I thought, “I don’t know what those squirrels are doing but they must be breaking off limbs and throwing them down.” The next sound I hear is an extremely loud cracking sound and the huge limb on the right side of the tree came crashing to the ground. It was so loud it scared my dog Max and he ran back toward me. My husband also ran out the front door to see what had crashed. I know at that moment my eyes had to be as big as saucers. I was total stunned by what I had witnessed. 

Later that day I began to think back over all the years the tree has stood there. I thought about the stresses of life it has weathered through the years, the weight of the huge limb itself, the high winds and storms through the years, maybe even diseases. After much time and stress the tree just couldn’t support the weight of the limb any longer and the limb fell to the ground. I thought, “Lord, how much are we like that old tree? We to become burdened down by the stresses of life, the storms in our lives, sickness, and heartache until we often come crashing down.”

I know stresses of life can wear us down until we at times will almost fall under the weight the world is constantly putting on us. Even though the world may weigh us down praise God we have a strong Savior who can help us carry our heavy load. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

Paul also tells us to “Cast all our cares upon Him; for He careth for us.” I Peter 5:7

None of us are burden free. We all face trails and troubles in our lives yet through it all we have to hold to our faith in what our Lord has promised us.

As a child of God we have so much to look forward to. Even though the burdens of this life often become heavy we have a promise of a life beyond this world and its strife. We are promised a home in heaven, a place of beauty, peace and joy in the presence of the Father and the Son. Revelation chapter 22 gives up us a glimpse of what heaven will be. Verses 1-5, 14, and 17 says, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Verse 14“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Verse 17“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

As we read of all the Lord has prepared for us may our hope and faith be renewed in all the Lord has promised us.

The old tree finally broke under the weight it was carrying but we don’t have to be like that old tree we can have a renewed strength each day that will carry us through whatever this world pours out on us. We don’t have to let this world conform us to its will but with the Lord’s help we can renew our hope and strength each day through His word and the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Let us keep walking my friends in His will so one day we all can share in the joy and peace of our heavenly home, forever in the presence of our Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

God Bless, my friends. ~Jeanette