Over the last several weeks I seem to have found myself in a recurring discussion about the stress of life. Each story is unique in its own way, but each finds common ground in a man feeling literally crushed by life. For some finances seem to be at the center of the discussion, for others marriage or other relationships. For others, it is simply the sometimes overwhelming sense of responsibility as a husband or as a father that has provided a foothold for the enemy's attack.
I am not at all suggesting that the stress problem is limited to men -- women certainly suffer from stress as well. But, at the same time, I think that men often deal with stress in less healthy ways than women. And, I think there are a number of reasons for this.
The primary reason that men do not handle stress well, in my opinion, is that men are much more likely to try to go it alone -- the "lone wolf" syndrome. Men don't like to share anyway, and we particularly don't like to share about our struggles. The big reason for this, of course, is pride. We just don't really want other men to know about our weaknesses. We don't like to be thought of a "weenies."
One of the consequences of trying to go it alone is that we think that we
are alone. What I mean by that is that we have a tendency to believe that we are overly stressed because we are weak, and that "normal" men are stronger than we are -- normal men handle stressful situations with confidence and authority. And, because we think we are weaker than normal men, we are even less likely to be open about the stress we are feeling. But, trust me guys, men who are a lot greater than you or I have felt every bit as stressed out as we do at times.
In fact, one of the things that I really like about the Bible is that we see the frailty of God's greatest servants. Great men of God, who had far greater reason to trust God than most of us do, where nevertheless overwhelmed by the stress of life. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth not only about the hardships and suffering he and others were experiencing, but also about the emotional toll it was taking on them -- they "despaired even of life." 2 Corinthians 1:8.
Moses heard the very voice of God, and he saw God do so many amazing things. Moses heard God speak from a burning bush, bring plagues on Egypt, pour water out of a rock, part the Red Sea and feed the Israelites with manna from heaven -- to name a few reasons why Moses might have been unwavering in his faith, strength and confidence. Despite all of this, Moses was rarely in a place of comfort.
In fact, despite all that Moses had seen the Lord do, the burden of serving God often overwhelmed him. One time in particular the people were grumbling about, of all things, having to eat manna instead of the meat, fish, cucumbers, melons and other things that had been available to them in Egypt. And, Moses had enough -- the burden had become too great and he asked God to put him to death!
He asked the LORD, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”
Numbers 11:11-15 (NIV).
Elijah, too, had seen God do many things. In First Kings, we read about Elijah's epic battle against the prophets of Baal. See, 1 Kings 18:20-39. You probably know the story. Elijah, the lone prophet of the Lord, challenges the four-hundred and fifty prophets of Baal to a kind of duel -- a God duel!
In the end, Elijah saw his prayers answered, as the fire of the Lord fell on Elijah's sacrifice -- burning not only the bull, but the wood, the stones, the soil and the water in the trench in the process. The four-hundred and fifty prophets of Baal lost their lives that day. 1 Kings 18:40.
Yet, shortly after this incredible encounter with God Elijah was running for his life. Like Moses, Elijah had enough, and asked God to take his life.
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
1 Kings 19:3-5.
In the end, though, Moses and Elijah persevered, and God honored His promises to them. And, you can gain victory over your stress too. But, you have to be willing to be transparent about it, and you have to make the decision not to try to go it alone. Ultimately, you have to be willing to hand your stress over to God.
By the way, I find it more than a little interesting that Moses and Elijah, both of whom were stressed to the point of utter despair
despite what God had done with and through their lives, would meet on earth -- and indeed in one of the most powerful scenes in all the Bible. I am sure you know what I am talking about. They met on a mountain top. It was an incredible encounter with Jesus.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Matthew 17:1-5.
