Stressors

Luke 1:49–50 “[F]or the Mighty One has done great things for me—       holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him,       from generation to generation.” CONSIDER THIS Let’s talk about stressors for just a moment. Have you ever heard about the Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale?1 It was developed in 1967 by two psychiatrists, Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe, who examined the medical records of more than five thousand medical patients to determine whether stressful events might cause illnesses in their lives. What resulted in this study was a list of forty-three life events, each given a number that, when added up, if higher than 300, serves as a warning that you’re at a dangerously high-risk level for illness. There is no doubt that the holidays certainly bring with it a fair amount of stress, but have you ever considered what that first Christmas season was like for Mary and Joseph? Well, let’s put their story to the Holmes-Rahe stress test, shall we? Within the context of those days leading up to that first Christmas morning, Mary and Joseph were dealing with matters of a pending marriage (50 points), a possible marriage separation (65 points), marital reconciliation (45 points), pregnancy (40 points), adding new family members (39 points), changes in their financial state (38 points), trouble with in-laws (29 points), change in living conditions (25 points), a change in working conditions (20 points), and changes in residence (20 points). The list goes on—that’s just to name a few.2 Adding all the stressors as noted in the Holmes-Rahe stress test, they would have scored more than 400 points! Remember, the marker for the danger level is 300. I think it’s safe to say they were quite stressed in the middle of that first Christmas story! Look at how Mary responded to all that was uncertain, beyond her control, and beyond her ability to correct the variables. She simply sang out the following words: “for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation” (Luke 1:49–50). Amid the stress and weakness found in the uncertainty, Mary proclaimed three beautiful truths. First, she remembered that “the Mighty One has done great things for me” (v. 49a). It’s clear because of Mary’s faith that she knew the Scriptures. I wonder, as Mary sang, did the songs found in the Psalms came to mind? Perhaps Psalm 89? The psalmist declares: I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;     with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known     through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever,     that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. . . .  Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. (1–2, 8) I saw a bumper sticker once that said, “Jesus saves us from all that plagues us.” Not a bad reminder, honestly. Trust your weakness to a mighty God, and stand on that solid foundation. Next, Mary focused on the holiness of God by simply putting breath to four little words: “holy is his name” (v. 49b). For Mary to trust in an uncertain future, she had to look back at the certainty of a holy God. As Mary sang of the holiness of God, her song resonated with David’s song found in Psalm 111:9 that reads: “He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name.” For Mary, she was looking back and remembering the unchanging nature of God. The God who was faithful and holy then, is still faithful and holy now. Last, she sang of the mercy of God by declaring: “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation” (v. 50). Again, perhaps Mary took a cue from the Psalms and made it her own. The psalmist David wrote: The Lord is compassionate and gracious,       slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse,       nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve       or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth,       so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,       so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children,       so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him[.] (103:8–13) That, my friends, is mercy. Someone said to me once, “Don’t tell God how big your problems are. Tell your problems how big your God actually is.” Whatever stressors you have in your life today, take some notes from Mary. Remind those stressors about the mightiness of God, the holiness of God, and the mercy of God. Then look forward to what God has in store. THE PRAYER  Almighty and Holy God, as we come before you today, we recognize your power and your righteousness. As we hold to your unfailing love, may we also surrender our future into your capable hands. Amen. THE QUESTIONS Today, let’s look back. Where have you seen the mightiness of God in your life? Where have you experienced the holiness of God in your life? Where have you seen the mercy of God in your life?