Looking upon the Sea of Galilee from where Jesus restored Peter

A Spiritual Stress Test

Dear Friends, this week as I was reflecting on our local circumstances as well as events worldwide, in light of the bride of the Messiah. Here are some of my thoughts.

Consider these stress tests in our physical world:

A doctor puts our bodies under extreme physical exertion and measures our functions for life: our heart rhythm, blood pressure, and breathing to expose any undetected weaknesses. Likewise, banks run computer simulations of severe declines in the economy and asset values, and factors such as natural or political disasters. They measure the financial systems’ health to expose financial vulnerabilities: liquidity, safe collateral, and effective management.

The intent of both types of stress tests is to ****reveal weakness and vulnerabilities in order to guide treatment, intervention and clarify focus for improvement and change.

Real crises like this pandemic are the scenarios that stress tests are created for. For our bodies and the bank, the current situation of the CO-VID pandemic is presenting unprecedented “stress.” Furthermore, as evidenced by the virus’ global impact, our world is intricately connected and we can expect similar crises in the future. More and more, single events in distant places continue to impact our local worlds. Therefore, from a spiritual perspective, I find it helpful to see these events not only as real life stresses but also as providential “stress tests.”

Let’s look at how Jesus faced stress tests.

Jesus foresaw the stress test of the crucifixion:

We read about the twenty-fours hours before Jesus was arrested in John chapters 13-17. We can see what he deemed important when undergoing a severe “stress test.” ****The night of Jesus’ arrest and the following days were the darkest, most hopeless and uncertain for those that followed him. And Jesus knew that. He foretold it in fact and prepared his disciples for the “sifting” so that they would not only endure but also emerge better equipped for the day after. And, afterwards, he restored his followers to him and built in them a stronger, lasting foundation of faith.

We are in the midst of a spiritual stress test.

Our present circumstances are not a test. It is real life. At the same time, let us consider our uncharted circumstances as “spiritual stress tests.” How are we doing under this global stress with regards to our ****fears, our doubts, the burdens we carry and how we interact with one another?

Let the Holy Spirit reveal areas of our hearts that are highlighted by the current stress by answering these three questions:

  1. What are we relying upon for peace? Jesus said, “Come unto Me all who are weary and heavy burdened, I will give you rest...” Matthew 11:28-30. He also says, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-13. Do we instinctively “Come” to Jesus, and “Ask” for our needs, or do we look elsewhere?
  2. Do we easily and naturally move towards loving each other? Jesus commanded his followers to love one another, before and after his last meal. “...love one another, even as I have loved you. By this all men will know that you are My disciples.” John 13:34-35, and 15:12-17. His prayer a few hours later in the Garden of Gethsemane was for us to remain as one with each other. How well are we loving others in the body of Christ around us even those with different perspectives and with different needs?
  3. Are we living the fruits of the spirit evident in our lives? In these circumstances, we may face fear, surprises, disappointments, and huge disruptions of life. If we live and walk in the spirit, the fruit of our thoughts, words and actions are: Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. Would those around us see the fruits of the spirit as the outflow of our lives? Galatians 5:22-23.

Whatever the “results” of our stress test, as with the doctor’s results--they are good to know.

As you identify those cracks in our foundations, reach out and ask the Helper (the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus) for guidance. Ask brothers and sisters for support to strengthen our “spiritual muscles” as we live within the rhythm and flow of our Savior. Our Messiah is a great shepherd, who not only leads us into quiet waters, but also restores our soul. **John 21:15-17.**

It’s helpful for me to distill what I am thinking about and hopefully you are encouraged. I’m trying to send out a similar email every week or so. Feel free to forward this to any friends you think would enjoy it and/or benefit from it.

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With much love,

Ed