Stress

Stress.  It has been my constant compainion, my not so good friend, and my hated luggage. Deadlines, things to do, a house to clean, people to be nice to, studies to complete...sleep to loose, kids to yell at, husbands to critisize, and just general havoc! 

I'm not a nice person when I get stressed out.  Who am I kidding?  I'm not a nice person when I'm not stressed out!  HA!  So, we'll just say it gets worse when I am. 

I'm sitting here, needing to write, needing to do something just for me.  I'm not getting a grade on this, nor is someone going to edit this for me.  I can use whatever point of view I want.  I don't have to cite my sources.  (and if any of you ask me for a works cited page...I might have to hurt you!)

I know I am not alone in this.  I know I am not the only person out there trying to be super mom or super dad.  As a matter of fact, I'm willing to bet that everyone has some stress.  If you say you don't, I'd have to come live with you just to see it for myself. 

So, what's the point of this little blog?  Should I tell you to stop stressing?  That would be like telling the wind to stop blowing in Kansas.  Should I tell you stress is natural?  Well, duh!  Maybe I could tell you to stress less.  I would probably get the response "I'm trying". 

I'll say instead, good luck.  I'll tell you that I will pray that your stress will be relieved and I hope you will do the same for me. 

We live in a world of bigger, better, right NOW!  I don't see that changing.  We live in a world of drugs, violence, lawlessness, discrimination, hatred, and fear.  (I just shot your stress through the roof, didn't I?)  Can we do anything about it?  Sure we can.  We can not live that way.  We can teach our children not to live that way.

However, we cannot make others not live that way.  It's time to let go of the fear of the future.  Pray...share you worries and concerns with God.  Now, let it go.  We are only human, we can only do so much...carrying the world on our shoulders is not one of those things.  God can do it sooo much better.  Why not let Him?

Now, April, you say, I'm not worried about the future...I'm worried about right now!  I have a kid to feed, no food in the cupboards, a paper due tomorrow, bills piling up, a husband that doesn't want to talk to me and a dog that needs his shots. 

That sounds pretty bad.  I might not have any hair left after a day like that.  So what do you do?  First, take a deep breath.  Offer up that prayer to God...I'm not talking a 45 min formal, on knees, head bowed prayer (although if you want to and your kid will leave you alone long enough to do that, go for it!), I'm talking close your eyes, raise your hands to Heaven, tell God "I need help!  Please help me!"  He WILL hear you. 

I have done that many times...and I cannot describe that peace that can come from it.  You have to believe He will help you though.  His help comes at a cost.  He requires your faith. 

Will life suddenly get easier?  Will your cupboards fill with food?  Will your husband have a sudden change of heart?  Will doggie diseases suddenly be wiped off the face of the earth?  Who knows?  Could God make it happen?  Sure!  Keep your eyes and your heart open, and you will be amazed at how He provides.

Am I less stressed now?  For now.  My kids aren't up yet, and my laundry and dishes aren't done yet, but for right now, that's ok.  Will I have to say that prayer today?  I have no doubt that is an absolute YES! 

So, I will leave you with God's words, not mine:

Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.  Ps 33:20

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Ps 46:1

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11

The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. Ps 121:7

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil [one]. 2Thes 3:3

I think that is enough for now. Enjoy the day!