A good troubleshooter looks like an artist but they are really a scientist. They systematically ask questions in a rational way until they find the source of the problem. Then they fix the problem or replace the part and adjust the surrounding mechanisms to work with the new part.
When our soul has a problem we can treat the symptoms, which will give a temporary limited relief, or we can identify the source.
"...be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews 13:5b ESV
Stress is at the root of many of our issues. Stress becomes pressure then weariness and discontentment. Need is realized. Then anger and faultfinding come next which can progress into accusation, separation, division and conspiracy. By the conspiracy stage the mechanism it ripping itself apart from the inside.
There are doctrines that are fail-safes for each stage of this process.
"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete." - 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 ESV
"Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good." - 2 Thessalonians 3:12-13 ESV
"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:8-9 ESV
"A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore." - Psalm 133:1-3 ESV
Wear and tear is unavoidable but if we use the mechanism as it was designed to be used and replace the parts at the right time we can keep the system goings for a long while by taking care of issues in a systematic way.
Understanding God's grace and faithfulness is vital for stress control. Oppression causes an impression which results in a depression and a depression puts a strain on the whole soul.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." - 1 Peter 5:6-9 ESV
The world is a pressurized place and some situations have more pressure than others but we can actively be directing that pressure towards our omnipotent God and Savior. He bore the weight of the whole world on Himself without a broken bone. He asks us to trust Him and allow Him to take the weight off.
I am unloading this morning. I am giving my problems and stresses to Him. I need to face the day with a light soul so I can be agile and not bogged down.
Lord, I worship You and trust that You can carry my burdens. I don't even want to get to the point where I am accusing others. Thank you for giving us a way to deal with all the effects of stress but I want to start the day so light that I'm not even tempted to operate in all those other issues. I thank you for being my sin bearer and I also thank You for being my burden bearer.
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