WHEN STRESS COMES

I not only suffer from depression, but I get stressed out pretty easily!!! So I want to share something that 'usually' helps in times of stress.  It is a very powerful image, and when I visualize this I can only think that any stress that comes my way is insignificant by any comparison!

              Jesus has gone to the Mount of Olives to have some prayer time alone with the Father.  He enters the Garden of Gethsemane and leaves the disciples a few feet away.

        LUKE 22: 41-44

                    "And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 'Father,if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done.'  And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him.  AND BEING IN GREAT AGONY HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY; AND HIS SWEAT BECAME LIKE GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN UPON THE GROUND."


           I cannot imagine being so stressed that that I would sweat blood!!!!  Jesus knew what was coming.  The human side of Him did not want to go through with it because of the physical torment that he would suffer. The spiritual Jesus did not want to go through with it because he knew he would have to be separated from God the Father, something that he could not even concieve!! I know that we all know of this scripture, but what an illustration of the greatest sress anyone could ever endure!  And most important, what an illustration of the faith of God's Son!!!

           So......when I get really stressed.....I try and visualize the Lord Jesus on His knees praying with all of His heart, mind, and soul so desperately that He sweat blood!!!  I will never experience like that!!!!!