A Great Lesson on Stress

(The following, with minor adaptations, is used with permission from the Pleasant Grove OFWB Church Newsletter, January 2014) 

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 question, “Half empty or half full?” She fooled them all. “How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile. Answers callout 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 burden 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 at bay a little longer.

So tonight, put all your burdens down and sleep well. If they await you tomorrow, you will be refreshed and able to meet their challenge. Better still, give them to God…His arms never get tired! 

Marvelous Mansion

Recently I had the opportunity to tour  "Christmas at Biltmore" at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. It is considered to be the largest privately-owned residence in the world.  An insufficient description of the visit would have to include the words magnificent and breath-taking.  Of course, decorations for Christmas were everywhere. Fireplaces glowed with flames that warmed the  visitors. Choirs and musicians wafted beautiful music throughout the mansion.  Gorgeous Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes adorned every room with thematic ornaments and colors. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and courteous. The 2-hour tour took in about one-third of this palatial 175,000 square foot estate.

There is coming a time however, when even this sublime abode will take on the appearance of a meager mountain dwelling.  The residents of Biltmore, the Vanderbilt Family, will seem as paupers in comparison to the One who is preparing not one, but multitudes of mansions in a place more lovely than the NC mountains...it's called HEAVEN!  The Master of that place will be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ Himself.  Serving Him will be, not a staff of employees, but a family of brothers and sisters who have chosen Him as Savior.  Our stay with Him will last, not just a couple of hours, but will stretch from millions of years of praise and admiration into an eternity of service and love for our Lord and one another. Vanderbilt's block and mortar home will pale in comparison to heavenly residences aligning crystal golden streets and jasper walls in a city that will be 1,500 miles wide, deep and high.  The entrance will be fitted with the most elaborate gate of solid pearl man has ever seen.

If you ever have the opportunity, visit the Biltmore Estate, and if possible go at Christmas.  It will be a wonderful experience.  The cost is a little expensive, but well worth the price.

And by the way, those lovely sights of Heaven...for you they are FREE! The admission price was paid some 2000+ years ago.  To reserve your ticket, give Jesus a call, from your heart. Invite Him to be your Savior. How?  Like this..."Jesus, I believe you paid the price for my sins and I ask you to come into my life. I now receive you as my Savior and praise you for the gift of eternal life. Amen."

Welcome my friend, to the greatest mansion ever  -  the place called Heaven!