1 Samuel 4:18a When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate.
A stressful incident makes the heart pound, and hands quiver. Bad news activates the sympathetic nervous system, which causes our body to release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. “It can be damaging to constantly be reading the news because constant exposure to negative information can impact our brain,” says Annie Miller in Maryland, a licensed social worker, who specializes in anxiety. Research has confirmed that 14 minutes of watching the news or reading news bulletins can cause fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that global depression and anxiety has increased by a massive 25% during the pandemic.
Anguish had fallen upon the High Priest Eli. Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God (vs 13). The ninety-eight-year-old man was petrified about the ark of the covenant that was taken to the battlefield more than the lives of his own sons. The horrendous news that the ark had been captured by the enemy and his sons were dead struck Eli with a fatal stroke.
How do we process bad news without sinking the ship? The perfect example of man who faced more than a pandemic and pandemonium was Job. The news about his multimillion-dollar business collapsing instantaneously and the death of his ten children struck him on the same day, yet, he fell to the ground in worship (Job 1:21). Is it possible to worship when your life is wrecked? No one has had it as bad as Job. If Job could, yes, we can.
Three lessons to manage stress from Job’s life:
- Walk: When we face unexpected stressful news, don’t talk, go for a walk. If you receive a phone call or an email don’t react and say/write everything that comes to your mind. Many self-pronounced curses are blurted out when we are distressed. Reassure to yourself that God is in control. He will make all things work together for good. We cannot thank God for everything, but we can thank Him in everything. Don’t talk, go for a walk.
- Wrongdoing: Don’t blame God, your spouse, your boss, your friend, the government or the Prime Minister. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing (Job 1:22). Job had every right to blame God for the tragedy, yet he chose not to revile. Job loved God more than his family or fortune. “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” ―Margaret Atwood. Don’t blame, remain.
- Worship: Don’t worry or turn bitter. Job didn’t thank God for the business collapsing or his children dying, but he worshipped the Lord for His all-embracing grace even in the excruciating pain of death and financial bankruptcy. Turn on worship music. Worship redirects our thoughts heavenward. Worry breaks our confidence, but worship will build our faith. Worship, don’t worry.
Bad news grips us with stress and fear, stop and take a worship break.
Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Prayer: Father in Heaven, help me to rest in you even when I hear bad news and give me the grace to worship you, at all times. Amen.
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