Stress

A friend sent me a e-mail that told (and showed me) me about the effects a woman can have on a man’s stress level. After I quit laughing, I got to thinking. There are a plethora of actions, behaviors, contacts, etc., which affect one’s stress level. Undoubtedly you are cognizant of some, many, or all of them.

One stressor that a Believer should never have to face is a lifeless Worship service or one that is composed of elements that are not God centered, Biblically correct, or judgmental from a human perspective (meaning we are never to judge one another). Rather, Worship should move our stress level to the point that our innermost being is consumed with joy, comfort, peace, and the freedom to hear and understand the teachings of the Holy Spirit. That is not going to happen when the band is “rockin’, the Preacher is pushing his agenda, and the people around us are stressed to the max by a “worldly” approach designed to reach a point short of, or well beyond, an intimate encounter with God.

Attending Worship which creates stress in one’s daily life is counterintuitive. It is also a violation of Scriptural practice, a hindrance to reaching those who are yet to come to faith, and damaging to those who are attempting to find “rest” in Christ.

Don’t be stressed about Worship. It is a personal thing between you and God. He is waiting for you as a Believer to follow the pattern described in Scripture. Any thing else – more or less – is worthless.