Dispelling Distress

For some persons, stress is a way of life. Some measure of stress can be healthy…regular exercise strengthens body muscles. Exertion can be instrumental in some strengthening, but constant or repeated stress over time yields destructive consequences to the human body. The demands placed upon the body during long periods of stress can lead to neurological events, breakdowns in the natural renewal processes of the body best accomplished during rest and sleep cycles, and a wide variety of physical distresses that indicate a need for change. Stress induced illness has become a common denominator for many. Like soldiers in combat, those engaged in high demand work environments, and today’s relentless constant contact/constant work venues made possible via messaging, phones and computers keeps many individuals under severe stress.
Still other forms of distress plague many. Distress regarding jobs, or the lack of, complicates life for many. Economic difficulties, and changes that seemingly lie outside one’s control often bring difficult circumstances to be addressed. Even mistakenly adopted models for achievement can be stressors to a degree that inhibits or prevents positive performance outcomes. Some create stress for others because of their lack of responsiveness or apathetic attitude, when others depend upon them for measured success.
Distress is with us, or not, largely depending upon our capacities to relate to the circumstances we are facing. For far too many, the circumstances are not the source of distress, but rather the inability to consider appropriate ways to face those circumstances. Without imposing the mystic’s mantra or the Tibetan’s gong, let me suggest that most of us just need an honest look at ourselves that will help us to see that we need God’s help for life. We need the wisdom of our Creator to tackle the tangle of issues our world seems so frequently to struggle with. We need our Lord and Savior to show us how to relate to one another redemptively and with a heart of love that is motivated and inspired with the love that was first shown to us by Christ himself. We need to consider that often in our haste to meet our needs, we fail to see the needs of others and even more often fail to see that which would be pleasing to God for us to be doing.
Distress is what comes when we reap the consequences of our own refusal to follow Christ…in attitude and action. What kind of stress would it bring for us to love one another as Christ loved us? The only stress of that is the surprise generated in those to whom we show that kind of love. In that situation, distress gives way to discovery…and hope and joy and forgiveness and life and peace…you get the picture.
Before you reach for the analgesic, perhaps following Jesus’ lead would show you the way to better handle your daily challenges. Consider time listening and learning from Him. Enjoy a time of daily reading from the Gospels. Listen for the things Jesus taught us and put them into practice. It will go a long way toward rescuing a very stressed world.