Dr. Mimi Guarneri, cardiologist, writes that stress is a factor in heart disease equal to hypertension (high blood pressure). She also reports that at least 3/4ths of visits to health care providers are triggered by stress related issues! Living under constant psychological stress is a strong predictor of future cardiac events. (Reader's Digest, Feb. '06) Reading that, and knowing the levels of stress that accompanies my life work, I wondered if this might be the time for a change in career? But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that no matter what a person does in life, stress can be present.
Stress results at least as much, and probably more, from how we react to life as it does from what is happening to us!
The life of Jesus points the way to lower stress levels and thus, to better health. How so? Consider these things.
First, He was not hurried. Think of how much stress we create by hurrying. When the line slows down at the bank 'cause the Grandma at the teller window decides to have a chat, we fret and fume over the minute or two that we are delayed. When our kids aren't ready to go when we are, we feel the tension rising. Many of us (yes, me included!) awaken and mentally program our day or week, creating checkpoints and deadlines that raise stress levels as the schedule is messed up by unforeseen events. Jesus was commissioned by His Father with the work of saving the world and He had to get it done in three years, but He didn't rush or hurry or fret! He even stopped to play with kids which drove his disciples a little crazy! I wonder if all our rushing and multi-tasking really makes us any more effective in our work?
Second, He regularly prayed. Early in the morning, late at night, the Gospels record Jesus going off by Himself to commune with His Father. From the model prayer He gave us (see Matthew 6) we can conclude that He prayed more than 'grocery list' or 'gimme this, gimme that' prayers. He communed with God when He prayed! He says, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.. . . You have so little faith! “So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans (those who don't know God) who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs." (Matt. 6:27-32 NLT) Put a couple of 15 minute prayer and meditation breaks in your day. Don't program those moments with endless babble! Just go and commune with God like a friend. Bill Hybels reminds us that we are too busy not to pray! (No, that's not a typo!) Read it again.
Third, He lived in community. Jesus took time to be alone, but He did not live alone, nor did He act like the Lone Ranger! He involved Himself with people and even when His friends disappointed Him, He didn't write them off or leave them behind. So how does that lower our stress? You might be thinking, "Jerry, it's people that stress me more than anything!" Might that be because you are not really relating, seeing the people in your life more like chess pieces to be moved around in your game plan? Real community means that we cultivate deep relationships with people that goes beyond their 'functionality' in our strategy and plans. After a couple of Simon Peter's dumb moves, why didn't Jesus fire him and call somebody else? Because He loved him, impulses and all! Real love for others, deep community, enriches our lives and helps stress to dissipate. Ask anybody who has ever been a part of a support group that functions well how much it means to go and talk through some issue of life with a group of real friends.
Fourth, He lived humbly with God and others. We joke about having a "Messiah" complex, but the true Messiah lacked one! The Savior of the world washed feet, served lunch, and played with kids! He didn't seek recognition, climb the social ladder, or position Himself for promotion. He took each day as it came, loved people, and trusted God. Don't tell me that it was easy for Him, or that He just loved everything that came His way. From time to time he grew frustrated. Remember the anger that flowed from him as he saw the religious abuse that was allowed in the temple for the sake of greed? Remember the passionate prayer that poured from him in Gethsemane? Jesus was an emotional man who lived with a sense of His mission, but He was also a humble man who trusted God. His humility is never more clearly seen than in His acceptance of the will of God on the night before the Crucifixion - “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” (Luke 22:42, NLT)
So, when you think you need to find a new job, or change your neighborhood, or ... something to relieve the stress of life; think again.
Change your response to life.
-Eliminate the inner pressure to hurry, take deep breaths and pace yourself.
-Pray often, and connect with the Spirit of God.
-Strengthen your ties to those in your family, your church, and your workplace, accepting them as the flawed people that we all are!
-And, work on humility that allows you to accept the fact that life cannot be lived on your terms!
You'll live longer and everyone will be glad you did!
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