When we experience excessive stress from an external circumstance a bodily reaction is triggered called the “fight or flight” response. When our fight or flight system is activated, we tend to perceive everything in our environment as a possible threat to our survival. We either defend & protect ourselves in fight or we run away from the conflict. How do you typically respond in these situations?
Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” — Gen 16:6-10
Hagar was being mistreated by Sarai because she was jealous over her pregnancy. She was miserable and reacted in a way that many of us do– she ran from her conflict. Then a divine encounter with an angel told her to do two unthinkable things– go back to the source of your pain and submit to it. Return to the stress and not talk, argue your point, nor be grumpy but submit! Go back to the war zone, don’t be defensive, but humble yourself to the person or situation. Boy have I messed this one up!
- Unappreciated by your spouse?
- Is your boss a jerk and stressing you out?
- Disagreement with a relative over money?
“But Jesus you don’t understand my situation!” “But God it’s not fair!” “You don’t get it Lord I can’t stand being in the same room as him.” Sometimes we need the most difficult times and the toughest people in our lives to shape and prepare us for what’s ahead. Some of the people you are conflicted with the most actually help you get to the place you need to be to do what God has called you to do or become the person He has purposed you to be. In Hagar’s case, He was saying she didn’t belong on a side of the road near a spring in the desert right now but her purpose was to birth her son with his father back in Canaan despite her feelings. God works on multiple planes connecting each of us as a piece in His bigger puzzle.
No one likes a boss who is a taskmaster and no one wants to be in conflict with another but if God is saying to do something then it’s worth considering . It takes courage to go back. It takes humility to submit. It takes trust, obedience and faith in a sovereign God to release our place in life. And your reward for this may be the encouraging words in verse 10 when He says, “He will bless you for it in ways too numerous to count”. You will see the blessing when you stop blaming others and release the angst and bitterness to Him. God wants your submission not solution.
Question |
How can you apply this to your current stresser?