Counsel #2 — A Cosmic Cause For Stress?

Picture: Counsel #2 — A Cosmic Cause For Stress?CMH 28.1

We often blame genes, family dysfunction, or personal failings for our stress and insecurity. Yet, what if the roots lie deeper, in a cosmic battle between light and darkness? Since Lucifer's (now Satan) fall from heaven (see Revelation 12), he whispers lies about happiness, identity, and God Himself. Christ counters with a gentle call to trust Him fully and find belonging in His family. On the fence, we feel stressed and insecure. But the deeper we surrender our lives to Christ, the more we find rest and peace in His embrace.CMH 28.2

Each of us has a choice of whom we will believe, which world we will inhabit -- the playground of lies or the haven of grace.^{[26]https://www.adventist.org/ellen-whites-insight-on-the-war-between-good-and-evil/}CMH 28.3

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 NKJVCMH 28.4

“You may have discouraged feelings and be despondent, but that should not lead you to neglect God’s work. Can you expect anything else when Satan is trying to bring all the darkness around you possible, to surround your soul every moment? It is for you to say every moment, The Lord lives, and because he lives I shall live also.” Ellen White in Review and Herald, July 26, 1887,
par. 10CMH 28.5

Reflect: Where do you find yourself perched on the cosmic fence? Are there practical steps you can take to lean more fully into Christ's haven?CMH 28.6