Stress Test

What do you do when you feel discouraged, depressed or downcast?  How do you handle life when things aren’t going like you planned? Take the quiz below to find out.

1. When I feel stressed I’m most likely to…
   1. Eat a bag of chips or gallon of ice cream.
   2. Indulge in a little shopping therapy.
   3. Pray.
2. When I feel like crying I…
   1. Bottle up my emotions and move on.
   2. Vent my frustration on others.
   3. Pray.
3. When something I deeply desire doesn’t pan out, I usually…
   1. Feel like giving up all hope and enter into a season of depression.
   2. Buck up, buckle down, and plan how to make things happen.
   3. Pray.
4. When someone attacks me or tries to discourage me I most often…
   1. Think “they’re right”. I’m worthless.
   2. Think “they’re a total jerk” and talk about them to others.
   3. Pray.
5. When my hopes and dreams get dashed I…
   1. Feel angry.
   2. Feel sad.
   3. Feel numb.
   4. Feel like I need to pray.
6. When life isn’t fair I usually…
   1. Pitch a temper tantrum.
   2. Lace up my tennis shoes for a long walk or run.
   3. Pull the covers up over my head and stay in bed.
   4. Pray.

So…How did you do?

In the book of 1 Samuel we’re introduced to a woman named Hannah.  She’s a gal who knows what it’s like to live with a less-than-ideal family situation, where her deepest longings remained unfulfilled. She is taunted, she is discouraged and she is heartbroken, all because she is barren.

Many of us have been physically barren—up to 1 in 6 women deal with infertility in their lifetime–but ALL of us have been spiritually barren, emotionally barren, socially barren, financially barren, occupationally barren or relationally barren, at some point. Maybe you’re feeling barren even now, during the holiday season.  How do we deal with this real-life drama?

How did Hannah deal with hers?

1. She acknowledged her situation
2. She acknowledged her emotions
3. She acknowledged her God

Heartsick, Hannah runs to the temple, throws herself on the ground and begins sobbing out her prayer.  She’s so distraught the priest thinks she’s drunk.  Read her response below;

 “I am a woman who is deeply troubled.  I have not been drinking wine or beer.  I was pouring out my soul to the LORD….I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” (1 Samuel 1:15-16)

Hannah exemplified what King David spoke about in Psalm 62

“My hope finds rest in God alone. My salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” (He allows me to stand firm against all odds and against assault from others!)

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God.  He is my mighty rock, my refuge. (He protects me when I’m feeling vulnerable and weak.  All my honors and blessings come from Him!)

Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge!”(When things look bleak and I feel barren, trust God.  While in a season of trusting, I will pour out my heart to him and allow his loving arms to be my safe haven)

Notice that neither David nor Hannah pretended their situations weren’t difficult.  Neither swept their emotions under the rug, pretending they didn’t exist.  Neither tried to handle life, with all its barren circumstances, alone.

They ran to God.  They made God their hope, their trust, and their fortress of protection. They prayed, pouring out their hearts, souls and deepest desires to Him.

So, let me ask again…what do you do when life doesn’t go your way?  How do you handle the days you struggle with discouragement, disappointment or depression?

Don’t hide from your circumstances.  Don’t hide from your emotions.  Don’t hide from God.

Pray.