Category Archives: Stress Management

Scriptures and Encouragement For When You’re Feeling Crushed

Scriptures and encouragement for when you're feeling crushed title image

Scriptures and Encouragement For When You’re Feeling Crushed

A few weeks ago, I posted about some analogies of the pressing of olive oil and the pressing of Jesus. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, I encourage you to take some time to visit that post and read over some of the parallels and symbolism of the three phases of pressings. I think it can definitely give us encouragement and hope to remember that Jesus was crushed and pressed on our behalf, especially during times when we are feeling crushed ourselves.

Today, I’d like to share some scriptures that might offer some comfort and encouragement for when we are feeling crushed. Many offer reminders that we are not alone in these feelings, since others have experienced feeling crushed as well throughout scripture (Jesus included). Some of the verses remind us of God’s character, comfort, and rescue during times of feeling crushed. Other times we are reminded to rely on and surrender to God during these times and even to offer comfort to others who may be feeling crushed.

Scriptures for feeling crushed

“God, you are my righteousness, my Champion Defender. Answer me when I cry for help! Whenever I was in distress, you enlarged me. I’m being squeezed again—I need your kindness right away! Grant me your grace, hear my prayer, and set me free!” Psalms 4:1 (TPT)

“Many people are suffering— crushed by the weight of their troubles. But the Lord is a refuge for them, a safe place they can run to.” Psalms 9:9 (ERV)

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalms 34:18 (NLT)

“I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart. …Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.” Psalms 38:8, 21-22 (NLT)

“Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me.” Psalm 69:20 (NLT) 

“Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed.” Psalms 119:116 (NLT)

“The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down. The LORD loves the godly.” Psalm 146:8 (NLT)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (ESV)

“The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?” Proverbs 18:14 (NLT)

My heart is crushed, and I am trembling. Because of the LORD, because of his holy words, I am like a man who is drunk, someone who has had too much wine.” Jeremiah 23:9 (GNT)

“I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.” Ezekiel 34:16 (NKJV)

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT)

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT)

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. …For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-9, 17-18 (NLT)

“For when we arrived in Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were pressed from every directionconflicts on the outside, fears withinBut God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus, and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.” 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 (BSB)

“And to you who are troubled rest with us…” 2 Thessalonians 1:7a (KJV)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

“Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).” Psalm 55:22 (AMPC)

“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

“I am burdened and broken by this pain. When your miracle rescue comes to me, it will lift me to the highest place.” Psalms 69:29 (TPT)

“Oh, Lord God, answer my prayers! I need to see your tender kindness, your grace, your compassion, and your constant love. Just let me see your face, and turn your heart toward me. Come running quickly to your servant. In this deep distress, come and answer my prayer.” Psalms 69:16-17 (TPT)

“You will not be subject to terror, for it will not terrify you. Nor will the disrespectful be able to push you aside, because God is your confidence in times of crisis, keeping your heart at rest in every situation.” Proverbs 3:25-26 (TPT)

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;” Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV) *See also Luke 4:18

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

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The Pressing of Olive Oil – The Pressing of Jesus

The Pressing of Olive Oil & Jesus title image

The Pressing of Olive Oil – The Pressing of Jesus

About a year ago I saw an Instagram post by Dave Adamson that brought several analogies to mind and inspired me to do some research and write a post. His post was about Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and the parallels of an olive press (“Gethsemane”) and Jesus being pressed with the weight of our sin and his sacrifice.

As we enter the Lent season this week, I’d like to share the analogies that came to mind as something that we all might meditate on during this season. These can be a reminder to us of Jesus being crushed and pressed on our behalf. We can also be reminded in our own times of crushing and pressing that God is able to produce something very good and useful from every last drop of pain and suffering that we endure.

Dave Adamson’s Instagram post that inspired my post/article:

“Here’s something cool about Jesus! We all know that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane … but do you know what else was happening?
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In Biblical times, farmers would put olives in the trough of a giant stone olive press, and then roll the large, heavy circular stone over them. The enormous weight of the stone crushed the olives, allowing the oil inside to pour out through a spout cut into the stone.
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The first pass of the heavy stone produced the most precious, pure drops of olive oil. This oil was extremely expensive and was used to anoint kings. The stone was then rolled over the olives again, producing a second batch of oil that was used to heal the sick. A third pass of the stone produced oil that was used to cook, or to light lampstands.
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In Hebrew, this sort of olive press is called a “gat shemanim” (
גת שמנים pronounced “geth-sem-uh-nim”), which we translate in English as “gethsemane”. Sound familiar?
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On the night he was betrayed, Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It was that the weight of his sacrifice caused Jesus to develop Hematohidrosis—a condition where a person under extreme duress literally sweats drops of blood.
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It was in Gethsemane that the first drops of Jesus’ blood appeared, as the weight of our sin pressed down on him. So the next time you use olive oil to cook, remember Jesus’ sacrifice … which started in the Garden of the Olive Press.


“He was crushed because of our sins; the punishment that brought us peace was on him …” — Isaiah 53:5[1]

~Dave Adamson, Instagram

3 Pressings of Olives

During my research about the pressing of olives and the uses of each pressing, I found some discrepancies about the uses of oil from the various pressings (i.e. about which of the three pressings produced oil for light and for cooking). However, the analogies and parallels that we can gather from them remain relevant and useful regardless of the order.

Here are the three pressings and their uses:

  • First Press – For Holy Use & Anointing Priests & Kings

The oil from the first pressing of olives is the purest form of the oil and was used to consecrate things as holy, used to anoint kings and priests, and used for pure light in holy places (keeping the menorah in the Tabernacle and Temple burning). *See Exodus 30:22-32, Exodus 40:9-15, 1 Samuel 16:1 & 13, 1 Kings 1:39, Exodus 27:20, Exodus 28:41, Exodus 29:7, Leviticus 24:2

  • Second Press – For Medicine & Food

Oil from the second pressing was used to make medicine or pharmaceutical ointments for healing and utilized for cooking and food. *See Isaiah 1:6, Luke 10:34, Mark 6:13, James 5:14, Leviticus 2:5, Exodus 29:2, Ezekiel 16:19, 1 Kings 17 & there are also multiple medical articles about the medicinal uses of olive oil

  • Third Press –For Soap & Light

The oil from the third and last pressing was to make soap (lye) and used for light (for lighting lamps for everyday use–we can also see from the first pressing that oil was used for light there as well but for holy purposes),. * See Job 9:30, Jeremiah 2:22, Malachi 3:2, See Matthew 25

The Pressings of Jesus

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Choose Gratitude

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Choose Gratitude

Sometimes the holidays can be a difficult time for people. It can feel like something to “get through” rather than something to enjoy. At times there are triggers that can keep us from loving and appreciating the holidays as much as we could. It’s in times like these that we have to make a choice to be grateful and find joy. We need to choose gratitude. I recently heard that gratitude and negative thoughts cannot function simultaneously.

I’ve written previously, that gratitude can affect our hearts and our perspectives. I’ve learned that obsessing and focusing on the negative will make me bitter. It can also cause a spiritual blockage which can in turn be offensive to others and to God.

However, when I can shift my mind from the negative things and intentionally focus on and choose gratitude, a positive internal shift happens. Looking back with gratitude and thankfulness can lighten the load and help things seem a little brighter and less dark. Additionally, choosing to see God’s provision can alleviate some frustration and discontent.

Gratitude affects our mental health & well-being

It should come as no surprise that gratitude is a crucial component of mental health and well-being.

Numerous studies have concluded that gratitude showed significant protection against and lowered levels of depression and anxiety.[1][2][3] One 2015 study indicated that “Gratitude is a protective factor against psychopathology not only due to its association with improved relationships with others, but also because it is connected to a less critical, less punishing, and more compassionate relationship with the self.”[4]

If we find ourselves dealing with difficult and negative thoughts and emotions, it’s a great time to shift our focus. It’s time to choose gratitude.

Gratitude and negative thoughts can’t coexist

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Weeds in Your Thought Life

Weeds in Your Thought Life

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV)

Taking thoughts captive is like pulling weeds out of a garden. Our mind is the garden and the bad thoughts would be equivalent to the weeds. Sometimes things grow in our garden that we didn’t plant—weeds, volunteer plants, etc. Some are in direct competition with the good plants there. If they are not removed, they can crowd out, suffocate, leach nutrients, and eventually destroy the garden and become stronger which will then be much more difficult to remove and can cause much more damage.

Much the same, we have thoughts that enter our mind that we didn’t put there. If those thoughts are not removed, they can take over and crowd out positive thinking and eventually destroy a positive mindset and can wreak havoc in our lives and relationships. The negative thoughts, like weeds, will grow stronger and spread and form a stronghold in our mind which is much more difficult to remove and much more damaging than just a passing negative thought. 

Weeds can damage an entire garden, wrong thoughts can damage our soul

In my gardens and flowerbeds, if I allow the weeds to stay, they soak up all of the nutrients, they grow larger and spread out, and they strangle the good plants. This may eventually kill the good plants. If not pulled, the weeds can multiply and take over the garden. I have to get them and keep them under control, and it’s MUCH easier when they’re small—both in size and in number. It’s much more difficult and a lot more work to clean weeds out if I’ve waited until they’ve taken over. It can still be done—it’s just more exhausting and it takes more effort than if I had done it sooner.

Thoughts are much like these weeds. Some thoughts get planted in our minds that aren’t supposed to be there. They’re not supposed to be there because they are in direct conflict with God’s Word. These thoughts may be thoughts of temptation, lust, insecurity, fear, worry, malice, doubt, pride, negative self-talk of any kind, and so on. If these thoughts are not removed, regardless of how small or seemingly insignificant, they could multiply and grow stronger and crowd out the good and godly thoughts in our minds. If these negative thoughts grow in size and in number, they could cause damage—emotionally, mentally, and relationally.

Thoughts lead to action

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Stop Being Negative!

Stop being negative

Stop Being Negative!  How I had to learn this, EVEN in the most magical place on Earth… 

We sometimes have to be purposeful and intentional to stop being negative.  It’s so easy to get into these ruts of complaining and negativity.  We tend to dig ourselves deeper the more we give in to these feelings.  That’s why it’s so imperative that we are deliberate about not letting negative situations and circumstances consume us.  It will take some effort to stop being negative.

Not so happy and magical

To give a personal example, I’ll share about my family’s vacation to Florida to visit Universal Studios and Walt Disney World several years ago.  To be honest, at times it was very difficult for me NOT to focus on some of the treatment we received at Disney, especially with the amount of money we spent on this trip (we could have bought a small car!).  I had such high expectations going into the trip because I had always heard of the wonders of Disney’s amazing customer service and how they go above and beyond to make your stay with them special and magical.  Disney is supposed to be known for being the happiest and most magical place on earth.  Sadly, many of our experiences there were anything but that.

We encountered rude and condescending employees at every turn, saw people who really didn’t seem to enjoy their jobs at all, received lackluster service (or no service at all) on a number of occasions, and frequently had to spend close to two hours just to get from one place to another (sometimes causing us to arrive late to reservations…thus giving an additional reason for a Cast Member to treat us rudely).  Needless to say, it was hard not to be negative and to avoid complaining.  To try to be positive and encourage somebody else on top of all of that seemed almost unrealistic.  I’m ashamed to admit that I was not always successful in remaining positive and encouraging.  I was downright frustrated.

Gratitude and seeing the good

There were times though that through frustration and all, I could see positive things if I tried and if I focused on them. However, I did have to be intentional about it in my moments of disappointment.  I had to remind myself that we were very blessed to even be able to go on a trip like this because many families would never even dream of being able to do this.  It was important to stop and look at my children’s smiles and see that they were making lifelong happy memories.  I reminded myself that long after our trip is over we’ll probably only remember the happy times.  It was also uplifting anytime I heard the Christmas music and saw Christmas decorations (FYI…Christmas is my favorite. For real.).

I could also see the exceptionally good employees and good times if I really tried to focus on them.  When the lady at a resort restaurant check-in was extremely rude to us for arriving too early for our dinner reservation, we walked outside to a campfire to hang out for a while and kill some time.  It was a pleasant surprise to have one of the Cast Members outside offer to let the kids use her night vision goggles to try and see some of the animals there at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  They were sooo excited!  So instead of letting the rude lady ruin my night, I had to focus on the positive experience we had with the kind person who paid special attention to my kids and gave them a wonderful memory of seeing giraffes roaming around in the dark.

When I lost my phone

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God Can Bring a “Resurrection” to our “Deaths”

God can bring resurrection to our deaths title image

God Can Bring a “Resurrection” to our “Deaths”

Recently I heard Phil Wickham’s song “Sunday is Coming” which was released just before Easter this year. The song speaks the message that Jesus’ death is good because it’s followed by his resurrection (“Friday’s good cause Sunday is coming, Don’t lose hope cause Sunday is coming[1]). The significance is that death wasn’t the end (“They laid Him down inside that grave, but that wasn’t the end…[2].

It’s a perfect Easter song, but after hearing it, a couple of other situations came to mind that made me think of the song. A number of people I know are experiencing a variety of losses. The losses include things like the ending of a season of life, the ending of a long-term relationship, the loss of a job/home/friends, and a loss of dreams or what they had hoped for their future (in other words a loss of what could have been). I liken these losses to a “death” of sorts because we grieve these losses.

As I prayed for these losses or “deaths”, Phil Wickham’s song entered my thoughts. Having tremendous empathy, my heart was aching and grieving for what they must be going through. While praying for their comfort, peace, healing, and future a thought came to mind: “These ‘deaths’ are not the end. With God, there can be a resurrection of new things in their lives!”

In hopes that this analogy might be an encouragement to others, this post will share some of the spiritual insights of “deaths” followed by a “resurrection” (bearing in mind these are not literal deaths and literal resurrections but rather figurative).

Some deaths are followed by a glorious resurrection

On several previous occasions and even recently on a podcast, I’ve heard Pastor Willie George say that “Every death in Christ is followed by a glorious resurrection. God takes the things that we die to and resurrects them in power and holiness so that we do not lose what we present to Him![3] He’s taught before that when we have to give something up or lose something for the sake of Christ, God will bring about a resurrection in our life.

Pastor George gave some examples of sacrificing and giving up certain hobbies and things like hunting, hobbies when his kids were young in order to spend quality time with them and involve himself in their interests. He then stated how God paid him back even better later after his kids were grown and resurrected some of those dreams and hobbies. In fact, God restored his hobbies to life to the point where he’s even turned his love for the outdoors and hunting into a new ministry now—something even better than he could have originally dreamed.

Some “deaths” and sacrifices are good because there will be a resurrection to follow. Additionally, God may bring new life to something we’ve given up or lost in ways that are even better than we can ask or imagine.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

Take up your cross

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Burdens and Loads

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Burdens and Loads

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” Galatians 6:1-5 (NKJV) [emphasis added]

Recently the topic of burdens and loads has come up in various settings as I’ve talked with people in my small group, friends, family, etc. Through some of our discussions, we’ve had conversations about the difference between burdens and loads. We’re told in Galatians 6 to bear one another’s burdens, but we’re also told to bear or carry our own load. So what’s the difference? Is this a contradiction?

There is a difference between the two. It’s not contradictory to say “help others” on one hand and then “carry your own” on the other hand. Fortunately, I’ve actually sat under some helpful teaching and have done some study on this topic. Since it’s resurfaced in recent conversations, I thought it would be a good topic to write about and share what I’ve learned.

There’s a difference between burdens and loads.

I think it would be good to start here by defining the difference between burdens and loads. Let’s look at the scriptural context here by going back to the original language.

Burdens

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)

The word for “burdens” here is baros in the Greek language. This word was used to describe a heaviness, weight, or trouble throughout biblical text. In Strong’s definition (G922)[1] it’s defined as something that’s abundant or a burdensome weight. It carries the notion of going down or sinking. An analogy here might be a ship that is carrying so much excess cargo that it’s causing the ship to sink under the weight of it.

So by this definition, to bear another’s burden is to take some of the weight off so that they’re not “sinking” anymore. We would relieve them of some of the heaviness that they are carrying. By doing this, we are helping them with something that they cannot do on their own or do for themselves. It would include those who are weighed down with too much and need help. Burdens cannot be carried alone.

We all have burdens, but God does not intend for us to carry them alone.

Loads

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” Galatians 6:4-5 (NKJV)

The word for “load” here is different than the one used for “burden” in verse 2. The Greek word used here is “phortion”. This word as described by Strong’s definition (G5413)[2] is an invoice (as part of a freight), a task, or a service. It would be something carried, as in the cargo or freight of a ship. Another example of a load is a responsibility.

Loads are an individual and independent responsibility and can be carried alone. We shouldn’t expect others to carry our “load”. Some things can and should be carried on our own.

I love how Sarah Geringer describes loads

“We are responsible to carry our own loads, but not the loads that rightfully belong to others. It’s also not right to permit someone else to carry the load that belongs to you. Able-bodied and able-minded people are fully responsible to carry their own mental, physical, emotional, relational, vocational, and spiritual loads. That’s God’s design, both for our protection and enjoyment. …The load God assigns to you is just right for you, not too light or too heavy.”[3]

Help, don’t enable

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A Prayer for Strength

A Prayer for Strength title image

A Prayer for Strength

Last week I shared some scriptures about the Lord is my strength. This week I’d like to share a prayer for strength. When we need strength or need strength renewed, we need to look to the Lord. Prayer is extremely powerful and produces results (James 5:16)! This prayer based on scriptures (listed below) will help us to rely on the Lord’s support and remind us that God will supply and renew our strength in times of need.

Here is a prayer for strength that you can pray:

A Prayer for Strength

Lord, I am in need of strength right now. I know that you are my strength and will help me in times of trouble and need and will teach me how to fight. You are the one who gives us strength. Strengthen me and supply me with the energy I need to face anything set before me. Please let your presence strengthen, encourage, restore, and support me. Hold me up and place me on a firm foundation. When I am tested, please give me the strength to endure it.

Empower me with inner strength and give me mental strength and ability. Give me the power and strength needed when I am weak and powerless. Renew my strength when I grow weary, tired, and exhausted. Help me not to rely on my own strength and attempt to do everything myself. Instead, help me to look to you for support. Help me to remember that when I am weak, you are strong and that I have access to your strength and power that will work through me.

Remind me that your power will give me the endurance, patience, and joy I need. I can be strong and courageous when I hope in you and give my cares, anxieties, and burdens to you. You will go before me and you will not fail me nor abandon me. You will guard me from evil. Help me to remember that you are faithful and that in quietness and confidence is my strength. Because of you, Lord, I will go from strength to strength, increasing in victorious power.

A Prayer for Strength prayer image

Scriptures this prayer was based upon:

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