I think it’s amazing how something written thousands of years ago can be so relevant in our modern society.

David, the psalmist, suffered from pressure and stress in the same way we do. I’m sure the things that caused his anxiety may have been different from ours, but it shows that man is and has always been vulnerable to pressure.

Sometimes I think it’s worth taking a step back from life and think about the things that stress you out. Often they are so small and irrelevant: a tidy house because visitors are coming; a noisy child that has too much energy; a demanding job with too many deadlines or an unreasonable boss who doesn’t understand where you’re coming from. The list is endless! I can’t possibly name all the things that make us feel under pressure.

If you were to take a step back and look at the things which really matter in life it would help you to get things into perspective. Life, death, your health, safety of loved ones – these are the things that matter the most. The small every day things are nothing in the big scheme of life. One day your noisy, untidy child will be grown up; one day you’ll wish there was someone to make a mess in your house and your demanding boss will one day be a distant memory.

So, how do we cope with stress and pressure? Try and get things into perspective and hold on to what is truly important in life. For a Christian there is one other thing that is important which is to keep the commands of God. This is more important than even life, death, health and security. If we keep God’s commands we shall find joy springing up within us.

Therefore, according to this verse, no matter what stresses you out this week, keep doing what you know is right and joy will be yours.

God bless you this week!