Stress has forever been part of the story of mankind. Stress was born
the day that Adam was put into a deep sleep and his rib removed to
create Eve. (Kidding) If you look through the Bible it is impossible
to find a Bible character who did not deal with circumstances that would
bring great stress. Can you imagine Abraham's stress as he insisted it
was the right move to uproot his family and leave Ur. Can you imagine
Joseph's stress after he was falsely accused of raping his bosses wife.
Can you imagine Moses' stress as the Israelites would not stop
complaining to him about every last problem. Jesus was under such
stress that he sweat drops of blood.
All of us have stress!
Different seasons of life bring different levels of stress, but the
underlying issue is always there in some form. (Except when you are on
vacation in Hawaii without kids) Whether it be school, career,
marriage, kids, money, or health stress in a part of life. I cannot say
that I always carry my stress well, but there are some things that I am
learning.
Pray! I don't say this because I am a pastor, and I
don't even say this out of religious obligation. I say this in the
most raw, unritualistic way possible. Take the time just to lay stuff
out before God. It is like a release valve. It brings perspective and
it brings relief.
Play! I have things that I do that drain
me, and I have things I do that recharge me. If I am stressed it is
because I am doing too much of what drains me and not enough of what
recharges me. If I am feeling particularly stressed I will take a ride
on my motorcycle or go to my secret spot and shoot my gun. I also take
the time to retreat with my family from time to time. This gives time
to relax and it gives a light at the end of the tunnel during stress
filled times. There are also people in my life that when I am around
them they recharge my batteries.
Push! I do not back down on
my purpose. If Satan sees that stress will get you to give up on
things that are important (ministry, family time, church) he will make
sure you always have just enough stress to keep you away from the
significant parts of your life. When stressed I minister more
passionately and study more fervently just to make Satan mad. I
evaluate and make sure I am pushing in the important areas and letting
go of the unimportant areas.
There are other things I should
do like exercise, but I watch TV instead. I find a good workout of my
thumb on the remote as I change the channel gives me a solid workout.
Oh, my staff tells me that I am a stress eater, but we won't get into
that.
Anyway, the art of stress management is a work progress
in my life. I know it is an area many of those in the church I serve
are facing this week. Unmanaged stress can be destructive to your
marriage, children, etc. I pray God gives you unique ways to deal with
your stress.
Pastor Andrew Huson
All of us have stress! Different seasons of life bring different levels of stress, but the underlying issue is always there in some form. (Except when you are on vacation in Hawaii without kids) Whether it be school, career, marriage, kids, money, or health stress in a part of life. I cannot say that I always carry my stress well, but there are some things that I am learning.
Pray! I don't say this because I am a pastor, and I don't even say this out of religious obligation. I say this in the most raw, unritualistic way possible. Take the time just to lay stuff out before God. It is like a release valve. It brings perspective and it brings relief.
Play! I have things that I do that drain me, and I have things I do that recharge me. If I am stressed it is because I am doing too much of what drains me and not enough of what recharges me. If I am feeling particularly stressed I will take a ride on my motorcycle or go to my secret spot and shoot my gun. I also take the time to retreat with my family from time to time. This gives time to relax and it gives a light at the end of the tunnel during stress filled times. There are also people in my life that when I am around them they recharge my batteries.
Push! I do not back down on my purpose. If Satan sees that stress will get you to give up on things that are important (ministry, family time, church) he will make sure you always have just enough stress to keep you away from the significant parts of your life. When stressed I minister more passionately and study more fervently just to make Satan mad. I evaluate and make sure I am pushing in the important areas and letting go of the unimportant areas.
There are other things I should do like exercise, but I watch TV instead. I find a good workout of my thumb on the remote as I change the channel gives me a solid workout. Oh, my staff tells me that I am a stress eater, but we won't get into that.
Anyway, the art of stress management is a work progress in my life. I know it is an area many of those in the church I serve are facing this week. Unmanaged stress can be destructive to your marriage, children, etc. I pray God gives you unique ways to deal with your stress.
Pastor Andrew Huson
