Stressed? Try Singing!

This Sunday will be the final Sunday of our “Stressed” series, where we have been looking at different people from the Bible and how they managed the stress they faced. Three methods are covered, but they are by no means exhaustive. Each of us has different ways that we can deal with stress. Sometimes, we need a different approach depending on the situation that has us feeling stressed out. I know for me, especially in this time of constant news, constant information, constant updates from social media, I can get stressed and overwhelmed by everything that is going on. When this happens to me, I have found it to be helpful to do a couple of things. First, turn off the tv or computer, put down the phone or paper. Second, find a hymn or praise song and begin to sing (sometimes I just hum in my heart, but singing out loud works better). There are many songs that I love to sing, but two that have been on my heart lately are number 365 from the UM Hymnal “Grace Greater Than Our Sin” and Matt Maher’s “Your Grace is Enough”. Both of these beautiful songs remind me of the wonderful grace that God has for us. Grace that is greater than the evil that is in our world. Grace that is greater than the sin that wants to rule my heart. Grace that is there for us in any situation. The second verse of “Grace Greater than Our Sin” always hits home for me:

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss; Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, Points to the refuge, the mighty cross. Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse, within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin! Follow that up with the second chorus of “Your Grace is Enough”: Yeah, your grace is enough, Heaven reaching down to us, Your Grace is enough for me. God’s grace is always seeking us, always reaching out to us, and will always be there when we need it. These two songs always help me to center myself when I am feeling anxiety and stress and allow me to focus on the wonderful grace that God has given me. Church, I hope you have a song that you can sing to calm the storm of stress and anxiety. If you do, I would love for you to share it. Pastor Henry