Oh What A Relief It Is!

There are times in life when we eat food that upsets our stomach or we have words or images, or situations that come our way that cause stress, anxiety, headaches, as well as many other kinds of things that affect us and when that happens we just want some RELIEF!!

Many people have this prayer upon their lips...Psalms 102:1-2, "Hear my prayer, O Lord,

And let my cry come to You. 2 Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;

Incline Your ear to me; In the day that I call, answer me speedily." This is the cry of someone in distress and overwhelmed by what is going on in their life, and God has heard and is Sending Relief and You are IT!

Relief--1. A feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress. The alleviation of pain, discomfort, or distress; a temporary break in a generally tense or tedious situation.

2. Assistance, especially in the form of food, clothing, or money, given to those in special need or difficulty. the redress of a hardship or grievance.

3. A person or group of people replacing others who have been on duty.

4. The state of being clearly visible or obvious due to being accentuated in some way.

Relief is that place that allows someone in distress to move from the 'Now' and start moving towards the 'Not Yet--Full deliverance, healing, etc.' with hope and start to increase in faith. It's a temporary place; however sometimes that is always someone needs to start believing God can and will complete what He started. God has been saying that He's Not Done, however some need some Relief while the completion is still in the works and You are the one to bring and be that Relief in their lives.

Esther 4:14, " For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Deliverance is the end goal but Relief is to get people there. Sometimes the distress people are in can be so consuming that it's hard to see anything else, relief helps them see that total freedom is possible with God.

For those who will go and bring and be Relief to others, God will make them clearly visible to people as He puts His glory on them. For those who don't want to do the work anymore or simply won't, God will relieve them with someone else who will go and do the work.

Relief is coming to people and God says You are IT--will you be?

For discussion this week, instead of me asking specific questions for you to answer; please bring out a couple of points that really stood out to you and why. Also, share your aha, ouch, or maybe even a testimony of relief you received or even a settling into what God has said about you or all three!

I look forward to discussing with you....

Bringing Relief to those in distress--I'm It!

Elder Christy