That word is obedience.
When I began to prepare this message on stress, I asked the Lord to show me how He wanted me to present the material. I could have approached the subject many different ways. The answer he gave me, I believe, is a message, a word, from the heart of the Father for the Body of Christ for this hour, this season.
That word is obedience.
"...Now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]" (Rom. 7:6).
"If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth...And the Lord shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath..." (Deut. 28:1,13).
The Lord said to me, "If people will obey Me and do what I tell them to do, they will not be under stress."
We may have stress, but we will be on top of it, not under it. There is a big difference between being under stress and being on top of a situation!
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Jesus was given all "authority," "power," "in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18) and has made that "authority and power" over the power of the enemy available to us (Luke 10:19).
Ephesians 6:12 tells us, "we are not wrestling with flesh and blood" but against "the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere." Verse 11 instructs us how "successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil." Jesus has given us power to stop the devil's attacks on us.
However, nobody can stop from happening every situation that carries the potential to cause our "hearts" to "be troubled." All of us have things come our way we don't like. But, with the power of God, we can go through those situations stress free. We can be on top, "the head, and not the tail," "above only" and "not be beneath" in every situation coming our way.
Even though, like the people in the world, we will sometimes experience stressful times, if we are obedient to God's Word, and to His promptings, we can be on top of stress and not under it. We will live in the world without being of the world.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, her books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on the mind, mouth, moods and attitudes. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.
