Dancin' On My Last Nerve

Casting all your care upon him;
for He careth for you.
I Peter 5:7

Ever have days with frayed nerves? If you haven't, you are a most unusual human being. Our bodies in the physical sense are full of networks of nerves. Many nerves find their way to the surface of the skin and they definitely play their role in the protection and overall health of the human body. Burn your finger and you'll learn almost immediately how active nerve cells are as they notify you that something bad just happened and your finger is quietly crying out in pain.

My first recognition of nerve endings in my body was when I was six years old. We had a huge round coal burning stove in our living room. It was our main source of heat in our house in those days. One day, I stood a little too near the stove just looking at it. My Mother immediately sensed that there was probably a problem in the making. She quietly warned me about not touching the stove as it could hurt me. I can remember like it was yesterday that when she went into the kitchen, I ventured forth and touched the four fingers of my right hand on that stove. My scream brought my Mother running from the kitchen with her butter dish in hand. She knew what had happened and in those days, butter was the remedy of the day for bad burns.

However, the title of this article doesn't refer to one's physical being, but to the emotional and spiritual state of an individual. I can't count, the many times through the last many years of teaching and being with women, that I've heard some moms sternly reprimand children by saying.”You are dancing on my last nerve.” That was meant to be a warning to children that a serious scene was about to unfold. There have been times when I felt with those moms who had just “had it” with one or more of her children. Most moms reach that point at one time or another.

We are living in a very tense world. People are losing jobs, houses, and a way of life because of our country's economy. Many friends who read this blog in other countries, often face harassment and persecution for their faith. We are witnessing a moral collapse in our own country. We are seeing our churches in a state of compromise with the world. We are finding acceptance of things immoral that years ago would only have been spoken of in whispers and kept hidden. We also may find that we are our own worst enemies. When going through times of tension, we generally take on more responsibilities and commitments that contribute to our running on “overload.”

Books are being written by the hundreds and even thousands on the topics of stress and tension. Some have put readers on guilt trips while others are so simplistic, it would appear they are written for first graders. When I'm going through a stressful time, to be honest, I don't need a book from a Bible book store unless it's a copy of the Bible. Some helpful books have been written, but if they aren't backed up with Scripture,. they aren't worth much. Anyone, if honest with ones self, knows what her problems and concerns are and even know most of the time what needs to be done to solve them.

Being a social worker for some years, I came across a lot of folks with stress difficulties. I found such ones struggling with one or more of the following:

Tension
Nervousness
Worry
Frustration

There may have been others but these four were some of the main concerns. When struggling with these things, the problems are very real for the person experiencing them. When talking with a struggling person, I often asked some of the following questions:

How much quality time are you spending with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading?
Are you spending time with encouragers who are strong in the Lord?
Are your friendships beneficial or do you need one or two new ones?
How full is your schedule? Whatever it is, cut it by a third immediately. You may think that can't be done....OHHH, yes it can.
Are you feeding your body quality foods?
Do you do anything for yourself on a daily basis, and when was the last time you had a really good laugh.
When was the last time you had a good physical checkup? There may be a clinical problem a doctor can help with by prescribing a medication or advising steps that can be taken to assist with the problem.

I'm not saying these things are answers for they sound simplistic. It is the consideration of simple things that can be a start. I read of a Christian psychiatrist who often wrote prescriptions for tense, nerve-wracked patients. On the prescription pad he wrote: “Read Philippians 4 three times a day for one month. At the end of that time, return for a follow up visit.” Philippians 4 is packed with wonderful godly principles for everyday living when put into practice.

One last thing I suggested to some friends on this subject was this:

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Too often, we live in a different day, different moment. Some folks live in the past where things have hurt and disappointed them...things they can no longer do anything about. Others live in tomorrows. How often have I spent a whole day worrying about something that might happen next week or next month. Either way, we miss opportunities to make the very best of the day we are living in.

We have control over our thoughts and emotions more than we think we do. Sometimes, it may be as simple as going into a room alone to take a few deep breaths. God gives us tools in His Word that can benefit us. Somehow, at times, we feel when going through a tense time, that God isn't present or interested. We often get so used to finding our own solutions that God is left out. We are encouraged to be people of prayer and spend time in God's Word. These aren't magic charms, but must be approached with sincerity. In both cases, we are strengthened beyond our expectations to take on the things of every day life and our Heavenly Father wants to be a part of it all.

Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7

Dear Father, Help me on those days when my nerves are frazzled, patience is slack and I'm not pleasant to be around. No matter the causes, may I cast whatever burdens I have on You knowing that You are my strength and sanity. In Jesus precious name...Amen