Everybody talks about stress these days and there’s so much awareness of mental health issues – even children think it’s normal to experience and talk about it and many schools now have “anxiety classes” to help children cope with life. The levels of anxiety have gone through the roof and the NHS is having great difficulty in dealing with the demand for psychiatrists and other counselling services.
Stress in society has been with us right back to cavemen times and the body’s natural defence system to cope is designed around “fight or flight”. However, these days it isn’t dinosaurs which people are afraid of – its normal life. The effect is the same though with the release of adrenaline and cortisol hormones into our bodies to help us deal with the threat.
But what actually is stress? It’s how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don’t feel we can manage or control. When we experience stress, it can be as if an individual is over-whelmed by too many responsibilities and doesn’t know which way to turn. It can result in many different outcomes – anger, impatience, being wound-up, anxiety, depression, loneliness and even feeling suicidal. Its physical manifestations include difficulty in breathing, panic attacks and sleeping problems among many others.
The cause of stress can be one major event or it may be a build-up of lots of smaller things. It can affect a person’s behaviour and change their normal personality. The effect of long-term stress can cause family and relational breakdowns, ill health, turning to unhealthy ways of coping such as drugs, alcohol, smoking and adopting other addictive behaviours.
Today we live in a 24/7 society where there can be little emotional and mental down-time. Quicker communication via the internet, social media, mobile phones, 24-hour news/entertainment programmes and employers often demanding too much of an employee’s time have all had an effect on people’s psyche leading to high levels of “busyness” and anxiety. There’s even a “hurry sickness” syndrome these days to describe how dangerous continual rushing can be.
It is vitally important therefore to practise good stress management techniques such as building up more emotional and mental resilience; taking more exercise especially in the fresh air and green spaces; breaking tasks into smaller components and concentrate on one job at a time rather than trying to do everything at once –working smarter not harder; adopting a positive outcome – flip the negatives into positives; building a good social network, especially being able to “sound off” and let out the frustrations.
The NHS also gives other “stress buster” advice including having some “me” time; helping other people to build-up your self-esteem; accept the things you cannot change; learn some deep breathing and meditation techniques.
I once saw this phrase on a Canadian wall plaque which particularly resonated with me at the time: “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” It means “slow down” and it makes perfect sense.
Graham – In Jesus’ time on earth, stress resulting from the threats to life was very different to today. The risks would have included famine, plagues, droughts, tribal and civil wars, invaders from other countries, injustice and capital punishment. By comparison, we have a much easier time but what do you think God makes of our modern-day society and what would His response be to our cumulative stress?
We know Jesus spent a lot of time alone in the desert and other solitary places when he went to pray. Do you think the power of prayer could solve some of our societal ills?
Modern life is based so much on image, ever-increasing material demands and being challenged by the high cost of living. What “back to basics” advice would you give to people living in today’s “rat race”?
Rev Graham replies:
Thank you, Carol, for your question about the impact of stress in modern-day life and how you have identified a lot of its causes and effects upon individuals and society which may be classed as a scourge.
In recent years there has been a greater understanding of mental health in its broadest sense and how to manage it that includes resilience and tenacity. However, in considering your comment as to what God would make of modern-day life, we can look to Jesus and scripture which offers further guidance and strategies which may help us to get “back to basics” for those who are experiencing severe stress.
For fourteen years I worked as a Personal Life Coach with many individuals, with or without faith, who directly or indirectly wanted to discuss and work around the challenges of pressure within their life and to implement strategies which could help them.
In each coaching session the individual would take time to identify, think through and then find their own solutions to their concerns. Often they would move from feelings of disorientation to a sense of empowerment which changed their bad stress into a good stress.
Very briefly, I will share how I guided individuals to use an Action Plan based on Smart Objectives to work towards particular goals within Individual Sessions. If I was working with a Christian we would often refer to scripture and include a relevant prayer which I will do in this instance.
First – Specifically Identify the Objective!
Initially, it is important for an individual to identify in their own words what is a cause and what are the symptoms of their stress. Often we forget that anxiety and mental health do relate to associated medical and financial problems which, if recognised, can reduce levels of tension. In any session when speaking about anxiety, there can be a calm or a storm which invariably changes from a storm to a calm and, in both cases, triggers feelings of anger and other emotions.
Bible Verse “Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55: 22).
Prayer Dear Lord, I bring to you my over-riding feelings of stress and anxiety. Help me to know what is the cause and effect and guide me to any areas of healing.
Second – How to Measure the Objective!
The existence of tension in our lives is quite normal and helps us to engage in ‘fight or flight’ mode and to ‘defend and preserve’ against anything which might be harmful and affects our bodies, minds and spirits. So it is important for individuals to try and get a professional assessment of any pressure points which they are feeling. When we speak to our doctor, counsellor, family and friends, where appropriate, it would be helpful to gather together a measure of what is concerning us and begin to think about any remedies for them.
Bible Verse “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness”. (James1: 2)
Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you that you know how I am feeling and what I am facing. Grant me an understanding of what is overwhelming me and guide me to a way forward to reduce my overall concerns.
Third – Is the Objective Achievable?
It is important to understand if the goal we have identified is realistically achievable so as to make the required changes. In implementing any remedies, there is always a cost in terms of time, energy, relationships, money and self-determination to work towards the particular objective becoming achievable.
Bible Verse “My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak but God remains the strength of my heart. He is mine forever” (Psalm 73: 26).
Prayer Dear Lord, almost on a daily basis I feel that what I face is unsurmountable. Give me a determination to work with those who can help me to achieve my objectives.
Fourth – Can the objective be Resourced?
This section is similar to the above and, when attending visits to the doctors, counsellor, life coach, minister and other professionals, it’s important to clarify if we can afford to commit our money, time, energy and self-will. Do we have a simple and practical faith to believe that we may be healed, strengthened and renewed in a small and complete measure? Also, are we able to implement identified remedies?
Bible Verse “do not to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4: 6-7}
Prayer Thank Dear Jesus, that in all the earthly experiences you faced you knew deep anguish and experienced a most cruel death. The angels and the Holy Spirit gave you strength to carry on so may we know their strength and comfort too in all our life situations.
Fifth – What Timescales are required to achieve the objective?
At this point it is always important to recognise that any build-up of nervousness and tension will have happened over a certain period of time which we may or may not have been fully aware of. In reducing and managing our mental health, it will take an equal length of time, if not longer, to reduce and manage any bad stress that can be transferred into a good stress.
Bible Verse “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28-30)
Prayer Lord God, we know that everything takes time to create and build up, compared to that which can be quickly destroyed. Thank you, Lord, that You are able to renew and restore all things. May we know that for our own minds, spirits and bodies.
Rewards – Are So Important and Should Not Be Forgotten!
Having looked at the Five Objectives together, I always think it is important to look at some form of reward, be it small or large, which can be used for self-encouragement in working towards a goal. So often we reward ourselves through excessive eating and drinking rather than ensuring we reward ourselves in a positive manner which nurtures self-esteem and inspires us to continue hard work, self-discipline, resilience and tenacity.
Bible Verse “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown (reward) of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1: 12).
Prayer Loving Lord, thank you that You know and understand our daily weaknesses in following You. Help us, Lord, to have a will and determination to be strong under times of stress and strain and to know Your pleasure and reward as we persevere.
Review – The process is continuous
Life is more like a marathon than a 10 kilometre run which requires time to ensure we are still on track and applying whatever is needed to reduce stress and ensure we are happy and content.
A daily communion with the Lord helps us to identify and maintain good stress over bad stress. The mantra of: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6: 6) is one strategy which will help us balance any pressure levels we carry on a daily basis.
The bible offers us an outlet for the relief of our troubles and concerns when we pray with faith believing God will provide and guide and relieve all our concerns. Bridges are designed to take certain levels of weight and, if exceeded, they may collapse. People are the same for when we experience increased levels of tension which cause us to become overloaded, then stress becomes a destructive force which can cause burn-out and we may feel broken.
Bible Verse “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8; 10).
Prayer Lord God Almighty, You are creator of heaven and earth. Just as the seasons come and go,’ may we experience daily a new season of renewal, deep joy and inner and outer strength. Lord hear these and all our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.
SIGNPOST ORGANISATIONS
Speak to your local GP about any stress problems you are experiencing. He/she may offer medication, talking therapies and/or complementary or alternative treatments.
MIND (Mental Health Services) – Tel: 0300 1233393 or email info@mind.org.uk
MIND (Legal Advice relating to mental health issues) – Tel: 0300 466 6463 or email legal@mind.org.uk
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) Helpline – 0800 585858.
Community Health Teams – contact via local Social Services Team.
Samaritans – Call 116123.
Shout Crisis Textline – Text Shout 85258.
Citizens’ Advice Bureau – National Helpline 0800 144 8848.
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