Deliverance Ministries Household of Faith

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Posted by: Apostle Jacob Ballard III on Wed, Jan 18, 2012

Topic: stress, stress, causes stress, self-inflicted stress

Not all suffering is the result of good Believer conduct. Sometimes a person may grumble, He's just picking on me because I'm a Believer. However, it may be that it is the person's own unpleasant behavior that is the cause of the problem. It often takes careful thought or wise counsel to determine the real cause of suffering. This lesson will help you recognize when your own mistakes are the cause of your stress. It will also teach you how to guard against self-inflicted stress.

Starter

1. What do you think are the most common causes of stress?

2. When have you ever felt like you were getting more than your fair share of problems and pressures?

Study

Read the following three sets of Bible passages and application notes. Answer the questions for each set before moving on to the next.

Genesis 20:1-2

When Abimelech took Sarah to be his wife, God revealed to him in a dream that he was in danger of committing adultery because she was already married. Abimelech confronted Abraham, demanding to know why Abraham had brought guilt on the kingdom. Abraham had to admit his sin and ask the Lord to reverse his punishment on Abimelech's household. Abraham caused a whole kingdom to suffer and put himself and his wife in great danger because of his lack of trust in God. Fortunately for Abraham, Abimelech treated him kindly, returning Sarah along with gifts of cattle and slaves. Disobedience to God can also bring tremendous stress today. People need to recognize when their problems are the result of their own mistakes and quickly confess their sin to the Lord.

3. How can a Believer know when stress is caused by his or her own sin?

4. Why do believers often choose to do what is wrong, even when they know the risks and potential consequences?

5. Why do you think God sometimes protects people from the consequences of their mistakes?

6. What steps do you need to take this week to reduce your risk of suffering unnecessarily?

Exodus 16:2-3

The Israelites should have known from past experience that God would provide for their needs. Instead, they complained bitterly about the dangers, shortages, and inconveniences of desert life and longed to be back in Egypt. In the pressure of the moment, they did not trust God. Instead, they wished for the quickest way of escape. Refusing to trust God when we face difficult circumstances usually makes matters even worse for us and increases our stress.

7. What problems or pressures can result from a person's lack of trust in God?

8. Why is it especially difficult to trust in God when we are under pressure?

9. How do you respond to stress caused by your own sin?

10. What would help you to trust God more when you are under pressure?

James 4:1-2

Conflict with others causes much of the stress that people experience. James explains that quarrels and disputes result from evil desires battling within. People want more possessions, more money, higher status, and more recognition. So they fight with others to fulfill these desires. When you cannot seem to get along with anyone, ask yourself if unrealistic expectations or selfish desires could be causing some of these problems. If so, you need to deal with your sin before you can begin to resolve the conflicts and reduce your level of stress.

11. What are some typical causes of conflict between so called friends and family members?

12. When have your unrealistic expectations or selfish desires caused tension in your relationships with others?

13. How do you know when it is right or wrong to fight?

14. Where can you turn to find help to deal with unhealthy expectations and desires?

Summary

These three passages reveal that stress is often needlessly caused by a person's own actions. When someone chooses to disobey God, refuses to trust in him, or succumbs to his or her own evil desires, it usually results in unnecessary stress. When pressure comes your way, ask God to help you identify the cause of your stress. If it is the result of your own sin, take responsibility for your actions. Face the facts and make things right!

15. For what pressures in your life can you take responsibility?

16. What can you do to reduce or eliminate these pressures?

Supplemental Questions

Read John 5:44; Galatians 1:10; and 1 Thessalonians 2:4.

It is only natural for people to want to make their friends, family, and bosses happy. But much of the stress people suffer comes when they focus their efforts on pleasing others instead of God.

17. What have you done recently to please or impress others?

18. What have you done today to please the Lord?

Read Colossians 3:23-24.

Since the Creation, God has given people work to do. Regarding our work as an act of worship or service to God would reduce some of the stress and pressure we experience on the job. Believers could work without complaining or resentment if they would treat their job-related problems as the cost of discipleship. The right perspective could also protect them from overcommitting themselves simply to impress others.

19. What should be a believer's ultimate goal on the job?

20. To what degree do you exhibit this goal in your life?

Read Galatians 6:4-5.

Comparing yourself with others causes unnecessary stress. People make comparisons for many reasons. Some point out others' faults in order to feel better about themselves. Others simply want reassurance that they are doing well. When you are tempted to compare yourself with others, look to Jesus Christ. His example will inspire you to do your very best, without worrying about what others have done.

21. Who are you likely to compare yourself with on the job? At home? In the church?

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22. What are your motivations for comparing yourself with others?

23. Why is it better to compare yourself with Christ rather than with other people?

Notes to me Facing the Facts

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