Here Comes the Sun
Stress is a dangerous thing. In light doses, it’s bearable, but long-term exposure can be debilitating. Research shows that stress can be a contributing factor to illness, depression, and even serious disease. If you’re not careful, stress will creep in and sap the very life out of you.
Never before have I truly understood just how serious stress can be. Sure, I know it’s probably the main reason I have bouts of ulcerative colitis, and it’s probably why I get sick when I’m under pressure at work, but I didn’t realize how much it had actually changed me until I became free from it.
The past eight months have been some of the hardest months in my life. It was like the “perfect storm” that threatened to break me several times. Pressures on the job, demands in my personal life, ministry, and unrealized goals weighed heavy on my mind. The single biggest contributor to my stress, though, was a brutal work schedule that never relented — constant pressure with no rest, always in the back of my mind 24/7, sometimes invading even the sanctity of my dreams.
For now, the worst is over. I’m looking forward to getting back on a normal schedule with manageable levels of stress. Relief is flooding over me like a soothing balm. I knew things would be better after this tough period at work, but I didn’t realize exactly how much I had been affected by it. I feel like there was a part of me that was trapped inside this wall of stress and misery, unable to live, unable to thrive. But now she’s emerging. She’s seeing the beauty of the world again, and it’s a wonderful thing.
At the same time, something has been stirring deep inside my soul. I don’t know where it’s leading me yet, but I feel like I’m at the start of a new spiritual awakening. Tonight at Abundant Life Church, we had a service that we call “unscripted.” It’s a time when we get rid of the agendas and simply worship God from our hearts, allowing Him to set the schedule and the pace. It provided an amazing opportunity to interact with God in a deep, meaningful way. Words can’t adequately express how much I am in awe of Him. Whatever we need — grace, love, healing, strength, joy, freedom, forgiveness, peace — we can find. He is so awesome, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for me next!
I’ve allowed stress to rob me of some of the most important things in life. I’ve been forced to make work my number one priority, but that’s going to change. I can’t honestly say it won’t ever happen again, but I’m striving to live a more balanced life again. After all, you know what they say about having too much work and no play. It’s not a good thing!
To celebrate my newfound freedom, I’m taking some time off from work before the Thanksgiving holiday. I’m going to relax, play, and spend some extra time focusing on God. I can’t wait!
It’s been a cold, long year, but here comes the sun!
