“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” Rom.8:28.
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How would you feel if you were chewed out three times by three different people, on three different occasions—all in one weekend?
Leaving home for a 48 hour trip to attend a Christian speakers/writers’ seminar, I assumed I had plenty of time to get to the airport. True, it was a Friday afternoon, but surely an easy twenty-five minute drive wouldn’t take that long in traffic, would it? An hour and a half later, I swung into the long-term parking lot, grabbed my roll-aboard suitcase and ran for the shuttle bus.
Going through security I pulled out my gallon plastic bag with various tubes and other gels and liquids all tidily packaged according to directions. Eager to get my things and find something to eat on the plane, I waited patiently for everything to come out from the scanner.
“Is this yours, Madam?” A big white-faced man with a flowing white beard and a white turban wound tightly around his head asked as he looked menacingly at me. “You have your things in a GALLON bag, which isn’t allowed. It has to be in a QUART- sized bag. Plus you have an aerosol spray in there and your container of gel is too large. These have to be confiscated.” Chewing out #1.
Apologizing for having my things in the wrong sized bag, I grabbed what I was allowed to take and left. Racing over to the café I choose a salad and starting walking to the gate. “Poppy Smith” boomed the loudspeaker system over and over, “Please come to security.” Rushing back I discovered my driver’s license had fallen out. Thanking God that they found it, I rushed to find my plane.
On boarding, I found my row but an elderly woman was getting her things organized. Enquiring what seat she had, she snapped “Be patient! I always have a window seat so that’s mine!” Taken aback, I explained I always have an aisle seat so there was no problem. She never spoke another word to me. Chewing out #2.
Getting to the seminar room early the next day, I noticed there was only one place to plug in my laptop. But, someone had put their backpack on the only seat that was close enough to connect my computer. So I moved it! When the person comes, I thought, I’ll ask if they mind swopping with me. If they had a computer, of course I’d move because they got there first.
Ten minutes later a man arrived, looked at me sitting in his place, and said loudly, “Why are you there? That is MY seat. You have no business moving my things over. You need to move!” Apologizing once again, I gathered my things while trying to explain my reason for such a great transgression! Glowering at me, he obviously was ticked off and wanted me to know it! Chewing out #3. To be fair, he did come up to me at the lunch break and apologize. I even shared my pizza with him!
Okay! So what practical and spiritual lessons can we learn when life is filled with STRESS?
Stress Buster #1: Realize you can’t control circumstances or other people. Frustration comes when we collide with that reality and want to fight it rather than accept it. Instead of allowing it to raise your blood pressure, when you’re around cranky people, silently talk to the Lord, asking for His patience. If you’re alone, sing praises and express thanks for His presence and sovereign control over your life. These actions are guaranteed to calm you down.
Stress Buster #2: Realize it’s not the circumstance that produces your stress, but how you respond to it. Jesus said it is out of the heart that the mouth speaks. He’s right—so ask yourself, what triggered my feelings and reaction? Look for clues in your thinking and expectations rather than focusing on the other person’s behavior or blaming what isn’t under your control.
Stress Buster #3: Identify three main issues that cause you stress. Some things just happen—as illustrated in my recent experience. But other stressors are regular events. Try to probe their cause. Do you live on overload--trying to include too many things for the time available? Ecc.3:1 is a perspective we need today as we rush from one thing to another: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” What else is a regular major stressor at this time in your life?
Stress Buster #4: Figure out what you can do to de-stress your life. What can you do about the stressors you’re aware of? Pray and think creatively. Ask a wise friend for insight. If you truly can’t change your situation in any way, pray about healthier ways to respond. You might not have control over certain things you have to deal with—but with God’s help, you can always have control over your responses.
Stress Buster #5: Check your anxiety level. Stress and anxiety are like two sides of a coin.
The more we focus on one, the more the other floods into our hearts and minds. Jesus says don’t stay stuck in worry and anxiety because: “…your Heavenly Father cares for you” Luke 12:22-34. Proverbs 12:25 tells it like it is: “An anxious heart (stress-filled heart) weighs a man down. And the apostle Paul says the Christian life isn’t meant to be characterized by anxiety and stress.
We have the resources to handle whatever comes into our lives. We can pray, change our focus, get a new perspective and find ways to handle life if we give everything that troubles us to God.
As you mull over your current stress and pressures—what do you think God wants you to act on? If I can be of any help, be sure to email me. I’d be happy to listen, pray, and support you in your spiritual journey.
Wishing you God’s Blessings and Peace,
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