COMING TO GRIPS WITH STRESS

What is stress? Stress is any demand, force, pressure or strain placed on the body and the body’s reaction to it. Everyone that is living experiences stress. This is a fact of life and cannot be avoided. No structure can withstand the winds of adversity without a solid foundation. Our lives are no different. You must build your life on a firm foundation if you expect to withstand innumerable pressures of daily living. Stress is a killer. Stress robs you of your joy and peace. It is a risk factor for heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, lower immune system and many other diseases. Stress has an effect on your thoughts and feelings. You can suffer from anger, anxiety, burnout, depression and fatigue. Stress can affect your behavior by eating too much, eating too little, sudden angry outbursts, social withdrawal, frequent crying and relationship problems. Therefore, you should do everything in your power to eliminate as much stress from your life as possible. Each day presents each of you with 1440 minutes to use at your discretion. Use them wisely.

Learn to say no.  For most people, saying “yes” when they really should say “no” raises their stress level by several degrees. “No” is a complete sentence, and it will help you lower your stress and stay sane when applied with wisdom. Recognize that you can’t do everything. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

Keep a sense of humor. Don’t allow life’s pressures and negative circumstance to blot out your sense of humor. Laughter reflects positive emotions and makes you a lot more fun to be around. Laughter can also take your mind off of what’s stressing you. Laugh often, “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) NIV Laughter releases tension and studies show that it lowers blood pressure.

Learn to slow down. Every time you get in a hurry mode you send a “state of emergency” signal to the body. It responds by releasing the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol that prepares you to deal with danger. The body cannot distinguish between physical danger, losing your job or any other form of pressure. It only knows that action has to be taken and it must energize the body to deal with it and any other form of pressure.

Learn to be flexible. Flexible people experience a lot less stress than rigid types who insist on things always being done exactly the way they have decided. Know what you can change and what you can’t. Ask God for wisdom to know the difference.

Identify difficult people. Sometimes it just isn’t possible to be at peace with certain people. You are not commanded to spend time or interact with people who disrupt your peace. The Bible is full of admonitions to avoid people who jeopardize your tranquility. King Solomon said,  “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man. Do not associate with one easily angered.” (Proverbs 22:24) NIV Apostle Paul warned, “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that is contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” (Romans 16:17) NIV