Romans 8:35 English Standard Version (ESV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Distress is just one on the list. Distress is defined as extreme anxiety, sorrow or pain. That touches three areas of our lives, mental, emotional, and physical. If we break down the effects of all the other things on this list they each only touch on one aspect of our experience.

So it would seem that if we cover distress, it takes care of all the rest.

The mental aspect of distress is extreme anxiety. If you have ever had a panic attack you know it is no laughing matter. It is overwhelming and leaves us with a feeling of hopelessness. That is the emotional aspect and it affects us physically so drastically that we can end up curled up in a ball at the back of the closet.

Our only safe place is in Christ. We are in Christ and He is in us. In those moments we lose sight of that fact, but by faith, it is a fact.

Psalm 34:17 English Standard Version (ESV) When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

It is difficult to remember when we are in distress but try crying out to the Lord.

Hebrews 6:18-19 English Standard Version

18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

The inner place behind flesh.

Hebrews 10:20 English Standard Version (ESV) by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

His abiding presence makes us one flesh. He is here for you.

John 16:12-13 English Standard Version

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

I cannot tell you what is next for me because I am still waiting on a Word.

What is next for you is between you and God in your own personal relationship. What that might be has to come from within your heart, from the Spirit of truth.

I can only bear witness to what He has done for me. That is my experience and does not mean it will be the same for everyone. That isn’t up to me. God knows you. I do not.

Do not become dependent upon man to do what the Holy Spirit is sent to do.

Romans 16:17-18 English Standard Version

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

The Holy Spirit is sent to show you those who are sowing seeds of discontent. The Holy Spirit will lead you where God wants you and to where you can serve Him best.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 English Standard Version

12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

Psalm 37:4 English Standard Version (ESV) Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Our heart is His heart, take delight in that.