In the Midst of Stress

We human beings share a lot in common with other of God’s creatures. When we are faced with a danger, or a great deal of anxiety, we have a tendency towards fighting or fleeing, or caretaking. In other words, we may get aggressive and combative; we may flee the danger or stress; or we may tend to over-function or under-function. Any of these responses may be the most appropriate response to a particular situation. The problem is that we tend more towards one response, or actually reaction, than any other, and we use it even when it is not especially appropriate.

The adrenaline gets flowing through our system and we just can’t think—at least for the first thirty seconds or so. That might sound like a really short time, but a lot can happen in those thirty seconds. That’s what interviewers count on—asking one of those questions that catch the subject off guard—hoping they can surprise a non-thinking reaction that makes for a great sound bite. There are those of us that tend towards to jut out our jaw and put up our dukes anytime we are faced with anxiety. There are those of us who tend to turn tail and run for the hills. And there are those of us who tend to freeze like a deer in the headlights.

I was thinking about this today as we on the staff and leadership of Christ Crossman are facing so much transition. Moving to new positions, moving to new houses, moving to new countries—all of these, even as they are positive changes, are sources of great stress. As I have witnessed our leaders and staff members face these transitions, I have seen grace and understanding from them and for them.

While we always need to treat each other with grace and care, this is a time when that is especially needed. We may never realize that the person whom we face is struggling to maintain some kind of balance in the midst of anxiety. My prayer for each of us is that God’s mercy will pour into every crevice of our beings so that we may be grace-filled, and grace-full toward others.