Neville Turley

“Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort.”  Ephesians 4:31(GNT)

Nothing makes our stress levels soar higher, than the realisation that we are being disrespected and put down. 

People react differently under such pressure. Some strike back venomously like an angry snake, often to their disadvantage. Others fearful of possible consequences allow themselves to be downtrodden. Whatever their initial reaction may be, victims of such abuse, can carry the scars and emotional trauma of their experience throughout their life.

In the novel, “A Study in Scarlet” by Arthur Conan Doyle, he has Sherlock Holmes saying:  “I consider that a man’s brain originally, is like an attic. You have to stock it with such furniture as you choose.” Medical opinion would disagree, but the analogy is quite apt.

What we think influences our actions. So we need to constantly examine our own conduct and empty our mind of all the negative influences that hinder us as Christians. 

We need to listen to what Paul says in his letter to the Colossians: “You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3: 12-14)

John records a stressful time in Jesus life. He is facing death. Judas is about to betray him. The humiliation and suffering on the cross lies ahead. What does Jesus say to his disciples? “Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe in God and believe also in me” (John 14:1)

Only when Christ’s message in all its fullness lives in our hearts and mind, will our stress levels subside and we will have the peace and contentment that all people crave. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the love and hope we have in you. Grant us the opportunity to come nearer to you and closer to each other. In Jesus name.Amen