When someone asks "how are you" and you say "busy doesn't even start to describe it" we say it with a smile as the other person nods in agreement. When did this become okay?
When did we decide to wear our stress, chaotic lives, and busyness as badges of honor? When did swapping stories about how busy we are take over us sharing our dreams, ambitions, or what makes us laugh or smile?
"Remember, most of your stress comes from the way you respond, not the way life is. Adjust your attitude. Change how you see things. Look for good in all situations. Take the lesson and find new opportunities to grow. Let all the extra stress, worrying, and overthinking go."
-Allan Borisug
This quote appeared on my social media feed and really had me thinking deep thoughts. Do we actually get to choose stress (just like we get to choose joy)? Are we conditioned to choose to live stressful lives? Is the blueprint passed down from generations, we were given as children, on how to handle stress tainted?
To answer most deep questions, I require two things:
A warm cozy cup of coffee
God's word
So what does the bible say about all this stress? It turns out a heck of a lot!
Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Luke 12:25: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Psalm 94:19: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
You see, we humans sometimes think we have to do all the things and be all the things. When truth be told, we are often barely scraping by in our feeble attempts. We were not designed to be perfect at all the roles assigned (or chosen), or to live perfect lives. That dream, that desire, that media, all of it is pure garbage.
It is the imperfections of life that make it truly beautiful and well-lived. The oddities, the happenstances, the qwinky-dinks, the spontaneity, and the miracles that occur with almost no explanation at the exact perfect timing.
So the next time you feel stressed, I encourage you to challenge your thoughts. Am I choosing to be stressed? What other attitude could I choose instead? Are there any silver linings? Are there any balls I can drop to make room (see blog here)? If the devil can't make you bad, surely he will make you busy! So why even give him a window of opportunity?
Let's choose grace, let's choose thankfulness, let's choose wonder, let's choose to have margin, and let's choose joy the next time stress come's knocking on our door. Because we've got a new blueprint to follow- and its the hope we find daily in Jesus!