What if instead of crumbling into a fretful pile of overwhelm fears, you could step into a more resilient spirit? Considering new ways of embracing the daily possibilities God sends your way may mean gaining a better understanding of why you need stress in your life.
Perhaps the elimination of all stress sounds like the perfect path to personal peace, when in actuality, embracing the right kind of stress increases our capacity for peace.
Life’s stresses, or pressures while certainly overwhelming, have the ability of creating opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. With a little discernment and fortitude, we can reframe our view on stress, opening a whole new path to stress management.
sorting life’s stresses
Recently reworking my demanding schedule highlighted the higher levels of stress and various pressures which were fast becoming unmanageable.
Forgetting tasks, missing deadlines, and a general lack of focus all pointed to increasing pressures, none of which could be reallocated or delegated to someone else.
Yet continuing to carry them seemed impossible.
As I brought these burdens to the Lord, hoping to cast the whole lot on Him (1 Peter 5:7), instead, it became clear perhaps at least some stress actually increased my strength rather than diminishing it.
Yes, you need stress in your life, but only the right kind of stress will motivate and grow you.
But what does the right kind of stress or pressure look like?
Embracing Stress
Even though our culture, and even our own wishes prefer eliminating stress, eustress, a positive form of stress necessary for growth provides many benefits.
Both eustress and every day or chronic stress cause the same chemical reaction in the brain; but eustress feels motivating and inviting, while everyday stress feels defeating and overwhelming.
The basic difference between the two comes in realizing every day or chronic stress actually results in distress, due to the lack of emotional, mental, or physical energy, or resources available to handle the adversity before you.
Conversely, eustress produces a positive feeling because you have everything you need to overcome a particular situation, it simply requires a bit more energy and initiative. Which ultimately pushes you outside your comfort zone and into personal and spiritual growth.
“For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.”
benefits of stress in your life
Moving from a place of viewing all stress as bad requires discernment. Reviewing stress and pressures in my own life revealed the obvious self-inflicted stress of poor time management and taking on too many “extras”.
But my review also revealed some pressures outside my control.
In fact, some of the pressures came from God in the form of trials. The Apostle Paul spoke in detail about the pressures of the Christian life in 2 Corinthians 1:8. These God given pressures have a specific sovereign design for our ultimate good.
While all stress pushes us beyond our comfort zones, experiencing discomfort is not all bad. Consider the following benefits of stress in your life:
- Emotional benefits. Eustress whether in the form of a new project, ministry, or trial presents opportunity for increased confidence, emotional intelligence, inspiration, and motivation as we embrace the stress while trusting in God rather than ourselves.
- Psychological benefits. Positive stress reinforces mental toughness and resilience, while forcing us to rely on truth rather than fear.
- Spiritual benefits. Accepting instead of avoiding eustress increases our trust in God, while strengthening our faith as we are conformed to the image of Christ.
“But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
why you need stress in your life
When confronted with adversity and life’s pressures, taking the time to notice how stress feels in your body can help determine which type of stress you face. Seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance will further help you eliminate negative stress while embracing positive stress.
Understanding the God-designed benefits of positive stress relieves your fears and allows beneficial growth as you become more Christ-like.
Reframing your perspective on stress opens unlimited possibilities for personal and spiritual growth as well as pathways to ministry and Kingdom building.
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Nice post! Agree, the right kind of stress, in the right doses is probably essential for growth and even enjoyment. The trick is to manage distress so it can be transformed into eustress.
Thank you, David, for taking the time to read my post! You summed it up nicely, “The trick is to manage distress so it can be transformed into eustress.” That is not only the “trick” but the challenge for which we must depend upon God!
This is a great perspective, Donna! Who would have thought that stress had benefits? And yet, as you spell out, it often does. 🙂
Thank you, Lois, I suppose learning stress has benefits just fits with God’s amazing goodness in working all things for our good (Romans 8:28) even stress!!
While I do not enjoy stress, it does cause me to depend on God and pray more. It pushes me out of my comfort zone causing me to turn and lean on the source of all comfort and strength. I had not realized how much I truly gained from stress.
Joanne, I never enjoy stress, but I am learning to be more receptive and less resistant when it comes, because as you say, it increases my dependence on God, and His ways are always good!
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
and stresses out the soul,
but all the same it is my pick
to make life’s sculpture whole.
How did Michelangelo
create what we’ve so favoured?
He cut away with blow on blow
what didn’t look like David,
and I bet it made the marble wince,
and stonily cry out, ‘Enough!’,
but old Mike’s eyes held beady glints,
and thereby he said, ‘Be tough!,
and you’ll find that when I’m through
the whole world will admire you.’
Andrew such a fabulous poem! I love the thought of Michaelangelo chipping away what didn’t look like David, I think that’s exactly what God does in our lives, chips away what doesn’t look like Jesus!
Donna, I like this so much. I haven’t heard of “eustress,” although I have felt it. And this is a wonderful explanation of positive and negative stress in our lives.
Deborah, learning to embrace the positive work of stress in our lives truly increases our trust and intimacy with God!
Great post Donna, it’s interesting how God uses things in our lives to help us to grow in Him…isn’t it?
Blessings my friend, Jennifer
Thank you, my sweet Friend! I am learning to accept stress’ part in my life as God conforms me to the image of Christ.
Eustress!
What a great word for a mind-expanding concept!
I know, Michele, right? Love that there is actually a cool word for stress which makes positive changes in our lives!
I never thought of stress and needing it like that. It makes sense now that I think about it. Pausing to reflect here.
Thanks bunches for hosting.
Thank you, Paula! I am still learning to have an open mind about how God uses stress in my life!
My preference is for a stress-free like with no unexpected bumps in the road and no overwhelming feelings or situations. But I know that’s not real life and that overwhelm reminds us our strength is limited and we need His. I try to remember to trust that God allows everything for a reason.
Barbara, I am with you on wanting a “stress free” life! But as you say that’s not real life. Yet I still find myself wishing for it at times! God brings so much growth through the stress, and for me it is a way to defeat the rugged self-sufficency I cling to.
I have never contemplated positive and negative stress before, Donna, though the self-inflicted pressure versus the outside-force stresses is well known to me. My husband lost his job last week, so we are intentionally choosing peace and rest for our souls as he seeks new employment opportunities. May the Lord continue to give you wisdom in managing your responsibilities.
Lisa, I never realized the benefits of positive stress before either! But it so fits with the way God uses ALL for our good, no matter where it comes from.
I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s job loss, my husband lost his job 3 months ago! We have walked this season many times, and likewise choose peace rooted in God’s faithfulness many times before. Praying for you as God leads to new opportunities and intimacy with Him.
I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s job loss, Donna! We will be praying for grace, wisdom, and favor as you both seek the Lord for this next season. Praying for His peace that passes all understanding to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Thank you for your kind words, Lisa! Praying for you and your husband as well!
I think of stress as having an overwhelming, or too busy schedule with deadlines to meet etc. That I don’t have but I do have various trials, troubles , difficult circumstances to navigate through. I recognize them as Gods testing and opportunities to grow spiritually, more and more into the likeness of Christ .They are painful ,but it helps to understand the work they are doing in me when I surrender it all to God.
Margie, stress comes in many forms for all of us! At times stress for me comes in the form of worry or anxiety. But yes, even in the trials and challenges God allows, we grow as we lean into them with Him! Clinging tightly to the truth that God uses these stresses of life to conform us to the image of Christ brings purpose and Hope to all we endure.
I hadn’t heard of “eustress” before! Interesting! It is the stress that can grow us, not deplete us. Love that!
Lynn, it IS interesting, and a good reminder that God redeems and uses all things for our good!