The Good Side of Stress
By
Lexi Cole Ellis
“When
anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Psalm
94:19 (NIV)
My mom sent me a
TEDtalk called “How to Make Stress Your Friend” [1] back in October 2013. I’m
just getting around to watching it. (Sorry, Mom.) Though not overtly spiritual,
Kelly McGonigal’s two points were absolutely biblical.
Her first point was the
necessity of changing our perception of stress. Multiple studies showed that
those who identified high stress, but believed their stress response was
helpful lived just as long as those with relatively no stress. She encouraged a
perspective change: that “pounding heart is preparing you for action. If
you're breathing faster, it's no problem. It's getting more oxygen to your
brain…This is my body helping me rise to this challenge.” [2]
We know from Scripture
that how we choose to view things matters. The Apostle Paul calls us to be
transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12). Similarly, we know we
have a choice on what to think about. Later in Philippians, Paul encourages believers
to choose a Christ-like perspective of dwelling on “whatever is true, whatever
is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever
is commendable” (Philippians 4:8a, ESV). Moreover, we are called to consider
trials “pure joy” because we can anticipate seeing how God will work in
seemingly horrific situations (James 1:2-4).
The second point of the
stress talk was that stress biologically invokes our need to connect and be
with others. “Your stress response wants to make sure you notice when
someone else in your life is struggling so that you can support each
other. When life is difficult, your stress response wants you to be
surrounded by people who care about you.” [2]
God’s very design calls
us into meaningful community with others. We were created for relationship with
God and with others. Stress reminds us of our need to be in a support system.
Scripture is filled with calls to “stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one
another” (Hebrews 10:24-25a, ESV). Similarly, we are instructed to “bear one
another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2, ESV) and reminded that “two are better than
one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, ESV).
I can’t get rid of
stress, but I do have the opportunity to change my perspective of it and to be
reminded that stress provides the impetus to draw me into godly community.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Identify the stresses in your life. How do you often respond to them?
2.
What do you need to do differently with your stresses?
[1] You can watch the
14-minute talk by clicking HERE.
[2]McGonigal, Kelly.
TED talk, “How to Make Stress Your Friend.” June 2013.
Lexi
is married to Andrew, has a puppy named Calvin and is a sixth grade teacher.
She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
