Overcoming Stress

March 3, 2025

Overcoming Stress: Finding Rest for Your Soul

In this powerful and vulnerable sermon, Pastor Ray discusses the heavy burden of stress and anxiety that many people—even those within the church—carry every day. Drawing from personal experiences of recent loss and grief, he explores the vital difference between salvation and true spiritual rest.

Key Highlights:

  • The Difference Between Salvation and Rest: Why you can be headed to heaven but still feel like you're living in hell on earth [03:08].

  • Weight vs. Sin: Understanding how "weights"—like work, hobbies, and busyness—can weigh us down just as much as sin [12:45].

  • The Physical Toll of Stress: How mental and emotional strain manifests as physical illness, high blood pressure, and burnout [29:12].

  • The "Tree by the River": Learning to stay rooted in God’s word so you can blossom even when the world around you is desolate [37:27].

  • Practical Steps to Defeat Stress: The importance of daily quiet time, disconnecting from work, and choosing to laugh [43:44].

Scripture References:

  • Matthew 11:28-30 – Jesus’ invitation to the weary [00:12].

  • Psalm 1:1-3 – Being like a tree planted by rivers of water [36:05].

  • Isaiah 26:3 – Keeping your mind stayed on Him for perfect peace [48:11].

  • Philippians 4:6-8 – Meditating on things that are pure, lovely, and of a good report [55:30].

Watch to discover how to quiet the "earthquake and fire" of your life to hear the still, small voice of God.