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by Samuel E. Ward
Part 2
Introduction
A. We began our examination of the topic of stress by presenting a medical definition:
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. We then shared two common experiences in life that are stress inducers.
1. Hearts are troubled concerning illness.
We shared David's experience with the illness of his newborn son and found that his feelings are not unlike our own when someone we love is very ill. Also, we noted how Jesus showed compassion upon those who were ill and those who were caregivers by healing many. Finally, we noted that God sometimes allows recovery and other times He does not. There is no doubt that a person's faith in a good God is severely tested when the latter takes place. But even when physical healing does not take place, there is the potential for spiritual healing that is more comprehensive and eternal.
2. Hearts are troubled over the loss of friends and loved ones.
Next to the death of a loved one is separation from those loved ones in other ways. One of the most painful is the loss of a friend due to some type of betrayal. Even Jesus experienced this with Judas. But there is the type of separation that is caused by distance when loved ones move away often with the probability that we might never see them again. For the Christian, we are by the fact that no such separation is ever truly forever. We shall see them again.
Since the death of a loved one (especially a spouse) heads the list of stress events that if left unresolved can lead to serious mental and physical health issues, we need to see such events in the light of Scripture. We, therefore, are not surprised to see that . . .
III. Hearts Are Troubled Most at the Death of Loved Ones
A. Abraham for Sarah
(Gen 23:1-2 NIV) Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. {2} She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.
B. Mary for Lazarus
(John 11:32-33 NIV) When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." {33} When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
C. Jesus for Lazarus
(John 11:34-35 NIV) "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. {35} Jesus wept.
D. Comforting Words
We will be reunited with believing loved ones.
(1 Th 4:13-14 NIV) Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. {14} We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
IV. Hearts Are Troubled at the Suffering Connected with Death
A. Jesus Spoke of His Turmoil.
1. On the road to Jerusalem to where He would be crucified
(John 12:23-28 NIV) Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. {24} I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. {25} The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. {26} Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. {27} "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. {28} Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
2. In the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal
(Luke 22:41-44 NIV) He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, {42} "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." {43} An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. {44} And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
B. Paul Wrote of His Turmoil.
(2 Cor 1:8-9 NIV) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. {9} Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
C. Comforting Words
1. Jesus has freed us from the fear of death's outcome.
(Heb 2:14-15 NIV) Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- {15} and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
2. Jesus has promised a crown of life to those who are martyred to be given when they enter pass into their new life.
(Rev 2:10 NIV) Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
3. Some day there will be no more death.
(Rev 21:3-4 NIV) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. {4} He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Jerry Drakeford suggests these ways in which we can minister to grief-stricken people:
1) Realize the gift of presence. Just calling and being there can be of value.
2) Do not overtalk the grieving person. Provide the awesome power of the listening ear.
3) Let them know it is all right for them to grieve. Even Jesus wept over the death of His friend Lazarus.
4) Be ready to minister to the griever for a long time. It sometimes takes as much as two years to work through a grief experience.
5) Tactfully remind the griever of Him who said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25), and invoke His blessing.[ii]
V. Hearts Are Troubled When They Fear the Coming of Jesus Might Upset Their Lifestyles
A. Herod
(Mat 2:1-3 NIV) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
{3} When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
B. The Chief Priests and Pharisees
(Luke 16:13-14 NIV) "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." {14} The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.
(John 11:47-48 NIV) Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. {48} If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
VI. Hearts Are Troubled When They Experience Conviction of Sin.
A. Some Israelites, After Hearing Peter Preach
(Acts 2:36-38 NIV) "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." {37} When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" {38} Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
B. Felix, After Hearing Paul Preach
(Acts 24:24-25 NIV) Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. {25} As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."
Conclusion
After all that has been shared concerning troubled hearts, there are three things that should trouble your heart if you them unresolved:
1. You fear the coming of Jesus might upset your lifestyle, because it will!
2. You experience conviction of sin and do nothing about it, because God will hold you accountable.
3. Your heart has become so hardened you are unable to be convicted of sin because you have come to accept what God calls sin as being righteous. This is a very dangerous spiritual state in which to descend for it signals to God that one's rebellion is full and complete. When that happens, he gives them over (Gk. paradidomi = to surrender or hand someone over to someone or something) to experience the consequences of their sin. If they do not experience in this lifetime, they will in eternity.
(Rom 1:26-32 NIV) {26} Because [they exchanged the truth of God for a lie], God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. {27} In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. {28} Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. {29} They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, {30} slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; {31} they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. {32} Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Your only hope is to understand that God's kindness, tolerance, and patience is for the purpose of leading you to repentance. To delay repentance is to show contempt for God's grace and His Son who died to deliver you from the sin you cling to.
(Rom 2:4-5 NIV) Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? {5} But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
