STRETCHED BY STRESS BUT STRENGTHENED BY THE SAVIOR!

STRETCHED BY STRESS BUT STRENGTHENED BY THE SAVIOR!

LIVING THROUGH LIFE’S HARD HITS SERIES

Statistics:

• Illustration: Nearly 49% of U.S. adults report experiencing frequent stress (the highest in Gallup’s trend to date).[i] 
• More than 80% of U.S. workers report experiencing workplace stress, and over 50% believe their work-related stress affects their home life[ii].
• A survey found that 77% of Americans regularly experienced physical symptoms of stress and 73% experienced psychological symptoms of stress.[iii]
• Globally (and several major economies included), about 6 in 10 employees say they are experiencing increased work-related stress.[iv]
• For U.S. adults in 2022, about 2% experienced symptoms of anxiety and 21.4% experienced symptoms of depression in the past two weeks — underscoring how stress intersects with mental health.[v]
• On the economic side: job­-related stress in the U.S. is estimated to cost employers $300 billion+ annually (through absenteeism, turnover, decreased productivity and direct costs).[vi]

Life Application Point: When stress surrounds you, remember that God uses the wilderness to strengthen your faith, humble your heart, and teach you total dependence on His sustaining Word.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3; Matthew 11:28

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Deuteronomy 8:2-3

(MULTILINE)

I. STRESS AS A PATHWAY TO PREPARATION!

Deuteronomy 8:2

A. Stress Reveals the Sovereign’s Route.
B. Stress Reminds Us of the Shepherd’s Record.
C. Stress Refines the Soul’s Readiness.

(MULTILINE)

II. STRESS AS A PLATFORM FOR PURGING!

Deuteronomy 8:2

A. Stress Humbles the Heart.
B. Stress Highlights Hidden Hindrances.
C. Stress Tests Holy Trust.

(MULTILINE)

III. STRESS AS A PROCESS FOR PROVISION!

Deuteronomy 8:3

A. Stress Exposes the Emptiness of Earthly Resources.
B. Stress Establishes the Evidence of Divine Resources.
C. Stress Elevates Spiritual Dependency.

(MULTILINE)

IV. STRESS AS A POINTER TO THE PROMISE!

Deuteronomy 8:3

A. Stress Refocuses the Soul’s Sustenance.
B. Stress Reinforces Scriptural Sufficiency.
C. Stress Reaffirms the Savior’s Supremacy.

(MULTILINE)

V. STRESS AS A PRELUDE TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY!

Deuteronomy 8:3

A. Stress Produces Patience.
B. Stress Promotes Purity.
C. Stress Prepares for Promotion.

(MULTILINE)

Additional Notes:

(MULTILINE)

Illustration References:

[1] KJV

[i] https://news.gallup.com/poll/642704/americans-sleeping-less-stressed.aspx, accessed October 28, 2025

[ii] https://www.osha.gov/workplace-stress/understanding-the-problem, accessed October 28, 2025

[iii] https://wellness.totalaccessmedical.com/blog/prevalence-of-stress-united-states, accessed October 28, 2025

[iv] https://www.spill.chat/mental-health-statistics/workplace-stress-statistics, accessed October 28, 2025

[v] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr213.pdf, accessed October 28, 2025

[vi] https://www.stress.org/news/80-of-employees-report-productivity-anxiety-and-lower-well-being-in-new-study/, accessed October 28, 2025

[2] Based on the documented work of Dr. H. Tracy Hall, General Electric chemist, who created the first synthetic diamond in 1953 (Source: Smithsonian Magazine, December 2003; General Electric Archives).

[3] Adapted from historical accounts of gold refining practices documented by the Sydney Mint (Australia, early 1900s) and similar descriptions cited in Refining Precious Metals: A Historical Overview (Australian Museum Archives, 1912).

[4] Documented findings from the Biosphere 2 Project, University of Arizona; see also Smithsonian Magazine, “Lessons from Biosphere 2” (2009), and National Geographic, “Inside the Experiment That Tried to Recreate Earth” (2017).

Disclaimer: All portions of this sermon by Pastor Shane are delivered under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Stories and illustrations drawn from outside sources are cited in the illustration references section, while many illustrations are also shared from Pastor Shane’s own personal experiences.