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by Samuel E. Ward
Part 1
Introduction
A. A Medical Definition of Stress
Stress is an internal process that occurs when a person is faced with a demand that is perceived to exceed the resources available to effectively respond to it, and where failure to effectively deal with the demand has important and undesirable consequences.[i]
--Texas Medical Association
B. What troubles the heart?
According to T. H. Holmes and R. H. Rahe the experiencing of any of these events adding up to 300 units in a given year places one at a high risk of illness as a result. [ii]
| Life event | Life change units |
| Death of a spouse | 100 |
| Divorce | 73 |
| Marital separation | 65 |
| Imprisonment | 63 |
| Death of a close family member | 63 |
| Personal injury or illness | 53 |
| Marriage | 50 |
| Dismissal from work | 47 |
| Marital reconciliation | 45 |
| Retirement | 45 |
| Change in health of family member | 44 |
| Pregnancy | 40 |
| Sexual difficulties | 39 |
| Gain a new family member | 39 |
| Business readjustment | 39 |
| Change in financial state | 38 |
| Death of a close friend | 37 |
| Change in frequency of arguments | 35 |
| Major mortgage | 32 |
| Foreclosure of mortgage or loan | 30 |
I. Hearts Are Troubled Concerning Illness
A. David Pleaded for the Life of His Dying Son.
(2 Sam 12:16-17 NIV) David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. {17} The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.
B. Crowds Brought Their Sick Loved Ones to Jesus for Healing.
Of all the things that Jesus was asked to do, the most requested was the healing of diseases. Here are two examples:
(Mat 14:35-36 NIV) And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him {36} and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
(John 6:1-2 NIV) Some time after this [a visit to Jerusalem for a feast], Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), {2} and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.
C. Physical Healing May or May Not Take Place.
1. It might if God decides to answer the prayer of a repentant heart.
(James 5:14-16 NIV) Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. {15} And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.
If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. {16} Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
2. It might if it God intends the healing to show His power and bring glory to Himself.
(John 11:2-4 NIV) This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. {3} So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." {4} When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
3. It might not if it is judgment for sin.
(1 Cor 11:28-30 NIV) A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. {29} For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. {30} That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
(1 John 5:16-17 NIV) If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. {17} All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
4. It might be time for the loved one to enter eternity.
(Heb 9:27-28 NIV) Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, {28} so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
II. Hearts Are Troubled Over the Loss of Friends
A. Jesus Felt the Loss of Judas by Betrayal
(John 13:18-21 NIV) "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' {19} "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. {20} I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." {21} After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
B. Jesus Sensed the Loss to Be Experienced by His Disciples over His Departure
John 14 contains His words of comfort to them and all believers.
(John 14:1-4 NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. {4} You know the way to the place where I am going."
(John 14:27-31 NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. {28} "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. {29} I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. {30} I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, {31} but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
There is more to say biblically about troubles, which includes types of troubles the Bible say we shall encounter, their purpose in our lives, how to overcome them, as well as why some troubles appear in our lives. Before we consider these let us keep in mind these words
C. Words of Comfort for Those Who Are Troubled
Written as a promise to Israel, these words show the protective and watchful care He exercises over all His own.
(Isa 43:2 NIV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
As we continue our short study meant to teach us how to find relief in times of trouble, keep in mind . . .
(2 Cor 1:3-4 NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, {4} who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
