I had a brother who worked in a billion-dollar business, and when he was diagnosed with a heart attack, they said it was brought on by stress. He stressed himself into a heart attack. Upon careful analysis, it becomes clear that this is an internal problem. This places the responsibility for control upon us. Wow, that thought stresses me!
So, what should we do? Our first step in overcoming worry is to trust the Lord! Those overwhelmed by worry are likely to attempt to solve all their problems and meet life’s demands using only their own strength and wisdom. A wise person has learned to place their trust in God.
The Psalmist wrote, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 43:5).
Nothing refreshes the spirit and eases anxiety like talking with the Father, as it often simply makes things better. It is when we begin to share our concerns that we start to realize that our fears are not nearly as serious or insurmountable in view of His great power, wisdom and boundless love.
Many believe in God, but do they truly trust Him? For instance, when I drive over the Arkansas River bridge, I not only think it will hold me up, but I also trust it to do so. There have been one or two bridges that I dared not drive on because I did not trust them.
The indwelling Holy Spirit brings calmness to our souls, and the tension we have bottled up inside is relieved. Trust me, you will feel better after you’ve spoken with our heavenly Father.
Of course, we must not forget the power of prayer, as it is our second means of overcoming worry. Paul gives us wise counsel when he says, “Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
From Our Missionaries
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “We thank God for the beautiful time we had at our Celebration Service last Sunday. It fills our spiritual family with great joy as we see the new members persevere.
We also had the opportunity to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, a tradition observed by many Hispanic churches on the first Sunday of every month.
“This week we started the workshop ‘Profound Changes’ and we will be working on it throughout the summer. We ask for your prayers that the Word of God will deeply impact each participant and that the changes they experience in their lives will be motivated by the right purpose.
“In addition, this week we will begin a new Discovery Bible Study (DBS) with a special twist as it will meet at 10 a.m. Our intention is to attract people who work the night shift, such as the group of UAMS workers who do not have the opportunity to participate in a DBS in the evening.
“We ask for your prayers for these plans and for the Lord’s continued guidance in this new endeavor. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had another great week at Faith Chapel! Our numbers were down slightly, as many were out traveling, but we still had a wonderful time of worship with three first-time visitors and several return visitors.
“We are still planning to start Adult Sunday School in the next few weeks. Although we haven’t set a date yet, many people are looking forward to it.
“Our youth Sunday School and Wednesday evening youth program, The Seekers, are going great. Our teachers and volunteers are doing a wonderful job of engaging and discipling our young people, and we are moving forward with enthusiasm.
“A need has been identified for the youth. We need some playground equipment to provide them with outside physical playtime. A separate account has been set up so that we can save for it without impacting our building account. Anyone can earmark a donation to the playground fund, and it will be used only for that purpose.
“We are still working hard on the classroom additions, and they are coming along nicely, but slowly. The electrical is almost finished, and ductwork will begin very soon. We thank you all for your prayers and support! And we love you all dearly!”
Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “Faith Journey was filled with joy, reflection and reminders of God’s faithfulness this week. With summer officially here, we welcomed a few days off. My wife and I traveled to Texas to spend time with family.
We enjoyed some shopping, fishing and much-needed relaxation. One of the highlights was a guided crappie fishing trip with my brother. We caught plenty of fish and made great memories. We had a big fish fry with all the fixings and enjoyed fellowship with our family. We look forward to doing it again soon.
“At Faith Journey, our worship leader is currently on a mission trip to Belize. In his absence, his son, who is also a musician, has graciously stepped in to help lead worship. Although this role is slightly outside his comfort zone, he has embraced it, believing that God is calling him to serve in this capacity. He has done a wonderful job, and we are thankful for his willingness to be used by God in this way. The morning sermon tied perfectly into that theme of obedience and trust. We studied Genesis 12:1-3, focusing on Abraham’s faith as he stepped into the unknown, trusting God’s call to leave his homeland and follow Him. It’s a powerful reminder that God often calls us out of our comfort zones to fulfill His purpose. Just as Abraham stepped out in faith, and just as this young man has answered God’s call to serve, we are all encouraged to listen and respond to what the Lord is asking of us. Our prayer is that he will continue to grow in this ministry and that others will be inspired to do the same.
“We ended the week with a beautiful wedding of the son of some of our closest friends who also attend services at Faith Journey. The ceremony was spirit-filled and rich with meaningful moments that reflected the couple’s deep love for Christ. It was a touching symbol of Christ’s love for the church and a joyful celebration of two lives becoming one in God’s presence. We believe God has big plans for this new couple and are excited to see how He will use their marriage for His glory.”
Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “This week was full. It was my last week of classes as I finished my Master of Divinity degree at Southern Baptist Seminary. It has been five years since I started, and I give glory to God for allowing me to achieve this goal.
“We have received a lot of clothes and furniture for the garage sale we have planned for this month, and a group of volunteers will be sorting things to prepare them for the day of the sale.
“On Friday, I received a visit from Elton McCan, along with his wife and sister, who were at church. They talked to me and expressed their desire to help us, mentioning that they could start meeting with us on Sundays. I told him to pray about how they could assist us.
On Sunday, we started a new Sunday School class, its name is ‘Relations: How I Solve Things.’ It is the first time I have taught a class in both English and Spanish. It was needed because Bro. Elton and his family were visiting us. Please pray for me to continue to advance in my English.”
Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “Summer can be challenging when reaching young families because of vacations and travel breaks. But when relationships are real, church doesn’t stop. Because we are the church, not a building or a service, but a people.
Even with families already on vacation, every one of our Connection Groups met this week, and we came together for our monthly Collective Gathering. It’s always a powerful time of worship, community and teaching. Our worship leaders, Marty Steward and Charles Wright, continue to lead us to the throne in worship.
“I shared a message from Luke 10 on how Jesus sent out the 72, and what it means for us to live as the body of Christ. Even when families are away, the church continues to move forward. We can’t help but check in and cheer them on, because the church isn’t something we attend. It’s who we are. This week Epic Life isn’t just in Pea Ridge but also the Grand Canyon, California and Branson.”