Stress

The first recorded use of the word stress was between the years 1275-1325. That kind of blew me away thinking that close to 700 years ago people were coining that word. (I wonder what their stresses were?) It is a derivative of the word distress which makes total sense to me.

I’m sure there were many distressing things back then, trying to find food, staying warm, having to stay under the radar when a new conqueror took over their territory, maybe even wild animals.  Who knows for sure?

However, for the most part we do not have those types of stresses.  Our stresses tend to be hitting us hard and fast in this world of internet, instant news, phones (seemingly attached to our fingers) and always, always multitasking. 

And it’s funny because it sneaks up on you (or at least on me).  There was a day (a while back), when we had some very serious major health issues in our family, I thought I was handling things pretty well. Until…I blew at a dear friend who had been complaining about something that she has complained about for years. 

All of a sudden, my tolerance and my filter fell to the floor and I not very nicely laid into her. (I was driving…yes, I was on the phone while driving! I felt I could see my filter shatter on the floorboards.)   If she wasn’t going to do something about it, then quit complaining because it was within her power to resolve the issue!

I knew my words were justifiable but certainly the way I presented them wasn’t. (BTW, I did apologize to her within the hour.) Was I allowing my stress to blow my witness for the Lord?  Where was my self-discipline?  Was this depression or an attack by the enemy?

I didn’t know…but what I did know is that I needed to truly repent before the Lord.  I had not understood when David said in the Psalm 51:4” Against You (God), You only, have I sinned” after he had impregnated another man’s wife and had that man killed to cover up his adultery. 

How was that not a sin to all involved?  What I think is that the egregious sin was tarnishing the reputation of his beloved God. That far exceeded any other type of sin.  And David knew that.

Afterall, David was the king. The Israelites knew He was not only favored by God but was appointed to rule over them by God Himself. When he sinned, it was as if he thought he was above God and could do whatever he wanted. That action defiled the God he loved. (You can find this story in 2 Samual chapter 11.)

 I was rude to my friend in the way I admonished her but even more so, I had sinned against the Lord.  I did not reflect Him in my actions and that was an insult to the God who saved me and calls me His child.

So, my next step was to repent (which is turning away from the sin). Then seek the Lord to ask Him to let me always see my friend the way He does. (This I did within the hour too.)

But then, I started to slide down in despair because I sinned against my God and hurt my friend. Shame overtook me. I had trouble releasing the shame. Shame is from Satan and he wants us to be immobilized by it…which I was until made a text.

I texted a prayer warrior, who started praying immediately which I literally could feel making a difference.  (I had struggled a little because my usual prayer warriors were all in bed by that time.) 

But this dear sweet fellow late-night friend stood in the gap for me.  I could feel the release of my self-imposed shame. God does not shame us. Once I repented, I was immediately forgiven.

And that is how the family of Christ…true Christians, support each other. They not only walk with you through your trials, but they stand in the gap and also help carry your burdens!

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6-7