July 1, 2005

What’s Your Stress Factor?

(My disclaimer: I apologize for the unannounced sabbatical the Parson’s
Wife took last month, but an uninvited virus took its toll for most of
June.  But PTL, I’m back!)

Stress seems to be the 21st Century malady.  Books, articles, doctor’s
advice, therapist’s counsel, friend’s encouragement – all sources tell
us we live in a world of stress and frequently let it affect our lives
to the point of hurting.  Ever been there?  Or are you there right now?

I came across an interesting article in the Bottom Line publication (V
26, N. 13, July 1, 2005) we get each week that had an article entitled,
“Wayne Dyer’s Simple Plan for a Stress-Free Life.”  Though not a
Christian publication, I was struck by his statement: “Stress and anxiety are
choices that we make to process unpleasant events rather than entities
that are waiting to invade our lives.  If you blame outside forces for
making your life stressful, you’ll only make stress more difficult to
beat.”

The insight that stress is NOT the outside influence, but rather my
choice of how I deal with that circumstance was quite a revolutionary
thought for me.  I really do handle most of life’s stressful events pretty
well I believe, but I still am quick to point a finger and identify the
“culprit” causing my stress when it occurs.  To stop and realize that
it is not the event or circumstance that is the problem, but rather how
I perceive and react to it.  Back to my choices!  We always seem to
return to that same spot!

Among other suggestions, Dyer makes the statement that “It’s impossible
to be stressed and appreciative at the same time.”  Do you suppose God
understood that when He told us in His word to “be thankful in all
circumstances?”  Um, what a novel solution to the blame, anger, anxiety –
stress – that life’s events dump on us.  I’m dealing with neighbors,
friends, family members, etc. with a whole litany of problems: illnesses
with difficult or no solutions, divorces, financial setbacks, job
disappointments, and the list goes on and on.  God’s solution to stress, and
one that Dyer identifies, is being thankful!  And since God “commands
us to be thankful, He will equip us to be successful.  He never sets us
up to fail by telling us to do something we can’t.  He always empowers
us through His Holy Spirit to be obedient.  All I have to do is choose
to obey and then plug into that power the Holy Spirit gives and begin
doing what God says.  Remember, God doesn’t say to “feel” thankful in
all things, but to “give thanks.”  That’s a choice I can make, and as I
begin to obey that command, I discover that soon my feelings do catch up
with my will.

So what’s your stress factor today?  High, medium or low?  Which do you
want it to be?  The choice is yours!

Until next time … love and prayers,

RuthAnn Gleason, the Parson's Wife
ragleason@sbcglobal.net