A young lady confidently walked around the room with a raised glass of water while leading a seminar and explaining stress management to her audience. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, "Half empty or half full?" She fooled them all. "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile. Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, “The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”
She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden -- holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Pick them up again tomorrow if you must.”
So friends, I invite us to remember this story, and remember that going through things alone is difficult for us, but when we share them with others, we may find assurance in each others words, or even simply just feel lighter by talking things through.
I pray no one will try to brave through these difficult days. We may not be able to reach out to all of you always, but please reach out to me, or a friend you trust and share. Let us remember to stay in contact with each other and find ways to comfort one another.
We will worship on Zoom until we perfect our ability to create a worship video. Click here for the link to join by video. If you are joining us by phone: 312-626-6799; Meeting ID: 489 148 569; Passcode: 290727. (This information is also on our events page.)
