How I Deal With Stress

Pastors Blog Kevin Jesmer 2-3-10

There are a lot of people under a lot of stress these days. I once saw a picture of a little baby wearing shades with a caption saying, “I don’t do stress.” I wish it were as easy as just saying it, to overcome stress. I thought I would share with the world how I try to overcome stress. Maybe someone may benefit from it. There are three components to overcoming: physical, psychological and most importantly spiritual. I strongly feel that all three components are needed to have victory over stress.

First, physical. Physical means to overcome stress, for me, include walking my dog 3-4 times a week in a local park, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. I go to a small, quiet, local gym to stretch and work out times a week. I try to eat healthy and when it is possible, get enough sleep. And how about plenty of water and a multivitamin?

Second, psychological. This has to do with our inner thought world. I try to have a positive mental attitude towards stress, for most of the battle is waged in our own minds. “Whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” “No pain no gain.” We need to find a positive purpose for being in our stressful environment. There are ER nurses who really thrive in stressful environments. I am trying to embrace stresses knowing that I am getting stronger in my inner person to be a better pastor, shepherd, nurse, father and husband. We need to learn how to roll with the punches and to let things roll off of our backs. In other words don’t let things get to you. Deal with issues as they come and move on. Learn something from the moment and move ahead. Be willing to stand alone, if need be. We get stressed thinking that nobody is helping us and nobody cares. Well that may be true. Nobody may be helping and only a few people care. People expect us to keep the wheels greased and make things run smoothly or get lost. Accept this fact and stop expecting things from others and learn how to stand and fight. Be patient with yourself. This does not mean lowering the bar. It means be patient. A lot of our stresses have to do with wanting something to happen soon, but as with all things of quality in this world, it takes a lot of hard work, and time for quality outcomes. Lastly, surround yourself with friends that support you and encourage you and make you laugh sometimes. I thank God for friends at church, work, at the gym and especially for my family. All of these help me to overcome stress.
Third, spiritually. We get stressed out because there are things in our daily lives that seem overwhelming. They may be. But Christians have the Creator of the heavens and the earth on our side. We can pray to this God and he listens to us. 1 John 5 14-15 reads, “14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” We can lay all our burdens on God and he will deal with them for he is mighty and he cares. 1 Peter 5:6-7 reads, “6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We can not trust the things of the world. There are only a few people we can trust. But they may be thousands of miles away. But we can always trust in God who is at our side 24/7. Psalm 31:14-15 reads, “But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.” Trusting God is hard to do, but those who can do this can be set free from tons of stress. We need to find out what God wants us to do and stick to it faithfully. Jesus gives a very warm invitation to those who are weary and burdened while living in this stress laden world. The invitation is found in Matthew 11:28-29, “ 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Answering this invitation is a surefire way to overcome all that makes our souls weary and burdened. The yoke Jesus talks about is the yoke of mission. Jesus wants us to co-work with him in doing his mission in this world. Taking our minds off of our problems and focusing on what God wants us to do is a way to overcome stress. And to be certain the yoke of going it alone and dealing with stress in the ways that this world deals with it, is a heavier yoke than serving our Christian mission.
I hope this helps you to overcome stress in your life. Include all three components, physical, psychological and spiritual in your quest to overcome.