Life is stressful these days! I don’t have to remind you of that, do I? The pace of life… the atmosphere of life… the demands of family and vocation… the pressures others place upon us… all are potential “ulcer makers” and the stuff of “emotional-breakdowns.” “Burnout” is a popular term related to the cultural context in which we live today.
There is an answer! It is possible to live from a “quiet center!” Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest! Take my yoke upon you! Let me teach you! I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (From Matthew 11:28–30 New Living Translation)
“Soul rest!” Imagine it… deep down within… a center of life that ministers peace, rest, competency, confidence, trust, and strength, in the midst of the stress-filled world we live in. Jesus provides it! Jesus teaches it! Jesus is the secret of it! (Check out verse 27 of the same passage!)
And you don’t have to be thought of as wise, influential, rich or famous to have it? In fact, my experience is, some of the poorest people, those looked upon as quite ordinary, individuals with average intellect and education (even some thought of as quite “simple,” are the very ones who possess this “secret” and exhibit it! And you know what? That is precisely what Jesus declared in this very passage! Here’s how it starts…
“At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike! Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!” (From Matthew 11:25–26 New Living Translation)
Now, a Christian therapist may be helpful in discovering and applying it to your life. But even more than a therapist, the need is Jesus! He provides the secret to this kind of life. He said, “Come to Me… Learn from Me!” I intend to do that every day in the stress producing culture I live in! I’m following Jesus! I learning from Him how to live in this “pressure cooker” world in which we live!
This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I thought of all of those who have decided to follow Christ and have faced pressure to turn back, compromise their resolve, and faced incredible persecution! It may have happened at school, a college, or university… It may have occurred from colleagues in the workplace… former “friends” may have been the source… a prisoner who has decided to follow the Lord faithfully may experience pressure and persecution in prison… it 
I can still remember the moments… As a teen, I’m headed out the door for a date or on a journey, maybe headed to college… My mom is standing at the door, holding my jacket, I give her a kiss and then it happens… “the talk!” – 26 things to remember and not forget! Warnings, admonitions, recommendations, etc. Over the years I’ve asked my students at the university how many remember “the talk?” Without exception they roll their eyes and every hand goes up! I’m sure many of you reading this post have not only received “the talk” – you’ve given “the talk!”
Coffee With The Lord 