DEALING WITH STRESS

1 Samuel 18:7-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Saul Becomes Jealous of David

7 This was their song:

“Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his ten thousands!”

8 This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” 9 So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

10 The very next day a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did each day. But Saul had a spear in his hand, 11 and he suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David escaped him twice.

Stress is the way the body responds to perceived or actual danger. Blood pressure skyrockets … muscle strength increases … we are ready to fight or fly off the handle. Stress isn’t the cause but rather the effect.

Sensing that David was a threat to his position, Saul’s blood pressure skyrocketed, his heart rate increased and his muscles tightened. Overcome with rage he hurled his spear at David.

Christians must learn how to manage stress … both their own and that of others around them. This was a shortcoming with Saul. Don’t let it be with you. Call on the Holy Spirit and use that fruit of the Spirit called self control.