Jeff Adams

OK, I admit it. I’ve been feeling stressed out the past few days. I spent most of the week in Panama, came home and dove into taking care of some family issues, getting ready to preach the normal 3 times Sunday and a new member reception Sunday evening. That’s the normal stuff. I have also been preparing for a trip to El Salvador on Thursday where I will be teaching about 12 hours of new material Friday through Sunday. I only recently learned of the topics assigned to me, and they are ones with which I am not comfortable or very familiar. So, the past few days have been heavy with preparation – and stress!

After sorting through a range of emotions ranging from frustration and fear to feeling sorry for myself, I’ve identified what I think is a key question. Is the real issue eliminating stress, or learning how to manage it? I’m on the record as being against what many term “performance-driven Christianity.” We don’t gain any credit with God by working hard. That does not mean, however, that we have license to sit around idle. And, there are times when working hard under stressful conditions just comes with the territory.

When I read Paul’s story in 2Corinthians 11:21-33, I am aware that Paul had his share of stress, too!  The issue is not eliminating stress but learning how to manage it. God never promised us an easy ride in this world. I’ve been preaching about the need to establish boundaries in our lives, but there is also a need to recognize our responsibilities and faithfully complete them. There are times to retreat and rest, and there are times to buckle down and simply press on to get the job done. Here’s a passage that helps me.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

The context is sowing and reaping. The phrase that I sometimes think of when stressed is “let us not be weary in well doing”. Literally, “let us not keep on giving in to evil while doing the good”. In other words, if we are cultivating (sowing) what the Spirit prompts in us, we should not allow stress to stop us or give in to our own desires (the flesh). If we press on, we will achieve (reap) what God has for us as long as we don’t yield to the temptation to let up or give in to exhaustion (faint not).

Another thing I learn here is to to be realistic. I do what I can as I “have opportunity.” My responsibility extends only as far as my opportunity. I am not responsible for someone else’s laxness, selfish desires or irresponsibility. I am not responsible for what I invent to do. I am responsible for what God has put in my path and for which he has equipped me with the capacity to accomplish.

Finally, I also learn to prioritize. Paul says our first responsible is to the household of faith. Then, as we have opportunity to others. This is prioritizing.

Here’s how I applied this to manage my current stress.

• Is this burden reasonable? Do I have opportunity? Yes. This is an invitation I gladly accepted. This is a church I love where I have not preached for 18 years. By giving me this difficult responsibility, my frustration is blunted by the thought that they gave me this task because they have confidence in me. God has, indeed, equipped me to prepare this material when others might not be able to do so. It’s difficult, but I can trust him to give me the ability, strength, time and resources to get it done. This is no one’s fault; this is my responsibility and opportunity.
• I prioritized. What was it that most bothered or challenged me? I identified that and tackled it first. Now, I have a handle on where I going with all this. I have an idea in mind of what I need to do. That gives me hope and shows me light at the end of the tunnel.
• I compare this to Paul’s stress level in 2Corinthians 11, and I find I don’t have much to complain about. I’m not facing beating, prison, shipwreck, or impending death. I may share a few of the items on Paul’s list, but I really don’t think this is going to kill me. It’s just stressful.

Don’t think you need to eliminate stress; just learn to manage it.