**1Samuel 30:1-8** *And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. 8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.*

The reality of stressful days - EVERYONE goes through times of great stress. Stress is a REAL part of life. We can’t fight it; we must accept it! The normalities of stress and can and often is used by God to strengthen us (see James 1:3, 4). God will use them to develop spiritual maturity and endurance.

**How did David deal with intense stress?**
1. He FOUND strength in the LORD! He encouraged HIMSELF in the LORD. This required him to be close to the Lord already.
2. He SOUGHT direction from the LORD. 1Peter 5:7, cast all your cares on Him!
3. He FOLLOWED God’s directions

1. There are battles we will face alone, but we are NEVER alone. Jesus said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
2. Don’t give in; don’t give up, no matter how severe it gets! Fight until the end! His grace is sufficient (1Corinthians 3:9)
3. Nothing overwhelms God! Let God bring the victory in His time.