Think about the rubber band. If stretched, it will return to its normal, relaxed position when the external force is removed.

The body's stress response is also stretched whenever it is subjected to any emergency or demand. It ought to return to a normal, relaxed state when the demand is removed.

If stretched for a long time and held, it loses its elastic properties and will eventually snap.

I know that many of you feel like that rubber band.  You are being stretched and stretched and you feel like nothing again will ever be normal in your life.  If our bodies are repeatedly held in stress, they will show damaging consequences.

Or take take my illustration with a bottle of water.

If you hold it out to your side it may not seem to weigh much.  However the weight may not determine how heavy it is.  You see, it does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold it.

If you hold it for a minute, it is OK.

If you hold it for an hour, you will have an ache in my right arm.

If you hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance.

It is the exact same weight, but the longer you hold it, the heavier it becomes."

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becomes increasingly heavier.

That is what the altar is for.  The altar is a placewhere we can pour out all of our stresses, burdens or as the Bible says, "we should cast all our anxiety upon Him because He cares for you."  You may feel that what you are carrying is small in comparison to what many people seem to be going through.  That really isn't important though.  Again, we are to cast "all" not just the big stuff on the Lord. Let us never lose site of this reality.

Until next time,
Pastor Shrodes

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