Off-Load Stress – Part 4: A Calm Spirit
A calm spirit even in the midst of tension has to be a sign of the Lord’s miracle-presence. The Apostle Paul writes to the Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [Now note this.] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
When our four children were growing up, they would get into the normal squabbles that kids in the same family have. So Karen would make them sit on the church pew which serves as a couch in our living room. What they had to do was say, “Calm my spirit, calm my spirit,” until it was obvious their spirits had been calmed. This was in lieu of discipline of another sort.
I can still see two little boys—or a brother and sister—sitting on that pew, swinging their legs back and forth, still upset, repeating, “Calm my spirit, calm my spirit, calm my spirit, calm my spirit.” Actually, the technique worked more often than you might imagine.
While you’re getting used to praying, “Calm my spirit,” you may feel a little like one of my young children sitting on our church pew. At first you want to get back into what’s going on and resolve things. You say the words “Calm my spirit,” but your mind and body will still be racing.
But don’t count this prayer out until you’ve tried it for a while. I believe you’ll discover it’s far more effective than you imagined possible. And it sure beats shouting your frustration—as John Adams did in 1776—to an empty room.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
