Tag Archives: purposed

day 1938: Low-Grade Stress

“Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the Lord”

 We are faced with all kinds of stress every day.  Sometimes it is obvious and big stuff that becomes all-consuming.  Other times though and just as negatively impacting is the low-grade stress that is part of our everyday lives.  This is the kind of stress that shouldn’t matter, but coupled with other stressing things  can start to add up and cause problems.  Remember back when you were new on a job or new into a new place and you didn’t have friends or relationships and the stress felt when it was time to eat, but there wasn’t anyone to eat with that you knew?  It’s a very small thing, but everyday that stress was with us as lunch time approached. Right now in California, we are under the circumstances of a severe drought.  Each time I see water being used I feel a low-grade stress that just hangs around.  It’s not that it is all-consuming, but it’s there and I know it has some effect.  And the same can be said of a strained co-worker relationship, a boss that isn’t communicating clearly how the company is doing, or a friend who isn’t being totally honest.  It can be anything and that means that we need to open our eyes and be cognizant of what could be the low-grade stress that we are adding on ourselves or on others.

How we handle our stresses around others is important. We are not perfect and no one expects us to be, but we are looked upon as ones who turn our stresses over to God and we aren’t to let them trigger other damaging emotions.  It’s easier said than done, but we can turn over our stresses to God and allow Him to make us capable and hopeful in our ability to handle what is thrust upon us.  It takes us waiting and being strong and hopeful in Christ, but it can be done. If only we will trust and remain faithful.

 Reference: Psalm 27:14 (New International Version)