A Tale of Three Stresses

Stress is an interesting influence. In small measured doses, dramatic and impressive results can occur. However, at least for me, a price usually has to be paid. This devotion is my observation of three people under stress (stressees), how they responded during the stress and the implications of the stress.

I’ll start with myself. I’ve written that I was taking classes at Washburn University. I am retired and already have a degree and am not planning on rejoining the workforce so you might be jealous thinking I can sit back and enjoy the classes without worrying about a poor grade. Kinda like when you fly somewhere and you are struggling with overpacked carry-ons and you see someone walking to their connecting flight with only a book in their hands.

God didn’t make me that way. I take the classes seriously and competitively. I’m checking the class online portal to see what grade I got. And, when I get feedback on my progress, I’m scrutinizing it to see if I agree with it.

So, last week, I had my final test in one class on Monday and my final assessment at 8:08am playing an instrument, the next day. Besides these, I also had other commitments that I needed to prepare for. I studied for my test Sunday and felt pretty good about it. After my test, I worked on the piece that was my final assessment for the next morning. The next morning, I got up bright and early (so I could practice and warm up before my assessment) and got there in plenty of time. I didn’t feel as good about that as I had from the test the day before.

Bottom line is that I got sick almost immediately after getting done.  Physically sick with fever and chills. You see, when I’m under stress I tend to focus and get stuff done, but all that extra focus and energy makes me susceptible to whatever bug is floating around. This has happened to me enough that I’m not fully surprised by it anymore.

The other two people I have to be more guarded by what I say to protect their confidentiality.  The first one is a woman I’ll refer to as Patricia.  Patricia’s work has ebbs and flows and, it just so happens, that this is a flow time for her. Patricia, like a lot of people, has extra tasks due to the including family traveling and traveling for pleasure additionally. Patricia’s outwardly stress reaction (at least to me) is one where an otherwise little thing might upset her and she shares her being upset with me. I remind myself that she is just being influenced by the stress that she is under and there is nothing I can do to help except be sympathetic.

The last person is another friend. I will call him Brian. Brian likes being involved in almost everything and is working on delegating more often.  I communicated with him to accomplish something and was surprised when it didn’t happen. Knowing he was busy, I tried to work with the person he delegated the task to and still didn’t hear anything. From my perspective, all I knew was that I wasn’t getting a response. I eventually got a response and all is good. In the response, a comment was made about liking it when I got feisty. That was my clue that I had elevated my written tone to the teacher voice level (you know, telling someone what to do). Later, I had a personal conversation with Brian and he shared some brief glimpses of the important things that had taken his attention, and, unfortunately, there wasn’t anything I could have done to help him (even though I wish I could have). Brian prioritizes communication when stressed perhaps without letting the people know that are a lower priority.

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” - 1 Peter 5:5-10 ESV

I wish I had a solution to dealing with the negative influences of stress.  The only thing I can recommend is to cast “all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  Maybe I do have some advice…