Trusting More, Stressing Less

 

My brother, Mike, wrote this word of exhortation over ten years ago.  I found it in my old email and thought it was worth sharing!

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By Mike Van Nattan

I ran across this little "side note" in a tech magazine I get in my email and I thought it would be humorous to you.

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Here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.
3. The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans
4. The French drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

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It's obvious that Americans have another problem that isn't mentioned here and I think we are all very much aware of this fact:  Stress.  We Americans are probably some of the most stressed out people in the world.  

Some of the oldest people I've known were also some of the least stressed people I've known, and most of them ate exactly what they pleased and still lived to "threescore and ten" and some another whole score (90+).

 Ps 37:1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

Ps 37:7 ¶ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Ps 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Pr 24:19 ¶ Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

If we'd all learn to trust the Lord a little more, we'd likely add years to our lives.  It's true saying: "we live in a faithless generation".  More and more people these days have trouble with their heart due to stress.  Sometimes this stress is unavoidable (caused by work) and sometimes it's brought on by a sinful life that so many live.

I'm not saying if you have heart trouble you don't trust the Lord.  But I think the trend is apparent that American people are trusting in themselves more than ever and so they have a reason to worry about their situation because they haven't committed it into the hands of an Almighty God. 

Ro 5:1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Ps 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Let us therefore turn to God for our strength and learn to trust him in all things, committing to him all our worries and concerns through prayer so that we may live a life that glorifies God.