I once was a church secretary (I did not call myself an administrative assistant — too many syllables). I remember the busyness of the Lenten season. Special worship services to prepare, more bulletins to type, more organists to schedule, and more hours away from family. Often, I associate busyness with stress, which is of my own making. Our pastors and all those involved in church work — serving as musicians, ushers, janitors, deaconesses, etc. — are busy during typical weeks, but during the Lenten season, and especially during Holy Week, the extra busyness may produce stress.

Well, this is a somber way to begin a blog! I shared the paragraph above because as I began thinking about this week, I began thinking about the stress of that first institution of the Lord’s Supper and of Judas’ betrayal. I am horrified that Jesus took on the weight of my sin and faithfully abided by His Father’s will even as He pleaded that God remove the cup from Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus felt stress and the Lord sent an angel to comfort and strengthen Him.

God provides comfort and strength for us also, through His Word, Sacraments, and through prayer.

For the disciples and Jesus’ loved ones the stress was only going to escalate as Jesus was humiliated and as He endured suffering beyond anything we could imagine. Jesus was wrongly accused, beaten, and nailed to a cross. This is not what His followers were expecting of the Messiah. They couldn’t comprehend — the fear and tension must have been intolerable. Their faith must have been shaken. Even in the miracle of the resurrection on that Easter morning, the women who went to the tomb must have felt stress.

I guess stress isn’t new to this century, is it?

So, this week, as I remember our Lord’s faithfulness and follow His journey to the cross, I will give my stress and worries to Him in prayer. I will remember Christ loves me — He died for me — He now lives for me! God will provide the peace that surpasses all understanding.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6).

As we rejoice in the resurrection of Christ and find joy in the hope of our salvation, I will also be thanking God for the gift of Scripture, His Sacraments, and prayer. The Truth is so much better than a stress ball!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie