Sheltering the Stressed

God tells us to burden him with whatever burdens us.  ~Author Unknown

Chocolate is my go-to when I'm stressed.  How that one ball of Lindt white chocolate truffle can give me the energy to finish my assignment on time!  Popping the ball -- whole -- into my mouth and tasting the smooth liquid chocolate makes letters start dancing across the computer screen, consonants skipping, vowels bouncing and punctuation sedately moving into their correct places.  Ah, white chocolate.



Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover's Soul

 But as delicious as it is, sometimes white chocolate just doesn't cut it.  It's then that I wish I lived near a Cracker Barrel.  Have you ever tasted one of their Valo-milk candy bars?  Those white clouds of marshmallow covered in chocolate can make me forget what I'm feeling stressed about.  They are a grown up version of the Mallo cups my dad and I used to get when we went to auctions.  They sold them unwrapped, by the box.  Even then chocolate de-stressed me, although as a child it took much less chocolate to alleviate my  stresses -- like cleaning my room or folding my brother's diapers, learning multiplication tables or enduring spats with my friends.

Today, chocolate covered cherries, Valo-milk candy bars or dark chocolate Mounds can put a smile on my face even if supper burns, the neighbor's cat gets in my van or I arrive home from the grocery store and forgot the laundry soap I needed.  Yes, I am a diabetic and yes, in spite of it there are days that a handful of M & Ms can do what a handful of nerve pills can't.

But some days, I just can't handle the extra sugar grams or there isn't any chocolate in the house.  It's then I turn to prayer.  Doesn't there seem to be something wrong with that confession? 

We do that, though, don't we?  It has nothing to do with believing God answers prayer.  It's just that we don't want to bother God with our daily stresses.  I have one friend who has it right.  Once or twice a week she will call with a "please pray" plea.  It can be as small as, "today is my son's birthday party and I'm feeling stressed," or as large as "we're have to make a decision about our ministry." 

Sometimes I feel like I leave God in the "prayer closet."  I have my prayer time, walk out, then shut the door until the next day.  But moving forward, I want God to stay with me throughout my day.  I want to be able to say, "Help me make this decision," or "Remember Emily; she should be taking her test right now."  The joy of reaching out to touch Jesus' garment, looking inward and feeling His presence as I pray, bowing my head in respect as I present my request, and  turning my eyes upward as my prayers reach the Throne of Grace are all impossible if I shut the door of the closet in God's face.

I have found that when I carry God's presence with me throughout the day it's easier to share my little frustrations with Him.  The hurts of inconsiderate friends, the chronic pain, the deadlines and the requests of my friends -- I can "cast all these cares on Him, for He cares for me."  What a beautiful promise.  All I have to do is give the cares to God.  He does the rest. 

I think I'm going to have to find something else to blame my chocolate habit on.  God's going to be taking care of the stress.

* * * * *



Stress-free Gift

Book: Ollies 1.99
Godiva Chocolates 80% off after Valentines Day

Is one of your friends having a stressful day?  First offer your friend's frustrations to Jesus.  Then gift them chocolate.  It can serve as a visible reminder of prayerful sheltering for your friend.

Ghirardeli Single Vanilla Bean White Chocolate
They'll be hiding in church mailboxes tomorrow.

This post linked to:

Encouragement is Contagious

Spiritual Sundays