Robert at Middle Zone Musings, a blogger in the High Calling blog network, recently wrote about "What I Learned from Stress" and asked other bloggers to participate in answering that question. Here's my take on it:
Stress is...
- knowing my weekend babysitter is leaving to pursue God's call on her life...and having to find a replacement...FAST.
- having the shingles for three weeks, but having to participate in mommy/wife/work/life stuff anyway.
- finding out that the medicine for shingles costs $280. Yikes!
- realizing Christmas is coming, with extra performances, rehearsals and financial obligations.
- finding that my ten year-old broke a lamp by throwing a toy, though I've echoed Carol Brady ("Mama always said don't play ball in the house") countless times.
- hearing about family and friends who are ill, depressed, and/or in crisis--and feeling helpless and hopeless.
- trying to fit everything in--exercise, eating right, housework, time with God, quality moments with each member of my family, work--and not succeeding.
Rest is....
- trusting that God will provide the right person, as He always has, in the perfect timing, because He loves my kids more than I do. Philippians 4:19 says, "My God will supply ALL you needs in Christ Jesus."
- knowing God is my strength and sufficiency, and that He will help me when I'm weak. Isaiah 25:4 says, "He is a refuge for the needy in their distress," and Isaiah 46:4 says, "I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you."
- believing God will provide every penny we need, as He has countless times. Jeremiah 32:7 says, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" and Psalm 146:16 says, "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time."
- remembering that He will give me the strength to serve Him with my gifts, because He has called me to use them. Galations 4:10 says, "Everyone should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms...if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."
- lightening up, knowing that not everything is a huge deal and some things can be laughed at and learned from (and they're only little once!).
- praying that God would heal my family and friends, either physically, mentally and/or emotionally. Also: giving them up to God, so I won't carry their burdens unnecessarily, determining to trust Him if the healing isn't the kind I think they need. Psalm 33:11 says, "The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations." And Psalm 34:15 says, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry."
- reminding myself that when I put Him first, He will give me the wisdom and means to do what needs to be done each day. When I allow Him to live through me, then I can be full of joy in the midst of the demands on me as a working mom. And I can give myself a dose of grace, knowing that the expectations I place on myself are sometimes unrealistic and not from Him. Isaiah 58:11 says, "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
Oh Lord, make me a well-watered garden. Help me give life to those around me, and not drain them by trying to get them to fulfill needs only you can meet. Be my strength, my sufficiency, my everything. Amen.
