Aug 11
13
Types of Stress and God’s Answer
Most people face stress in their lives; usually on a daily basis. Stress has become intertwined in many of our lives as if it belonged. Stress often decreases both the quality and length of our lives. Stress is often categorized three different ways.
Acute Stress
Acute stress is what often comes to mind when we think of stress. It is the most prevalent form of stress. It is short term and comes from recent events or things we perceive are coming in the future. Perhaps someone cut you off while driving and you are angry and feel stressed by that event. Maybe your child received a bad grade and you are irritated at them. Possibly things did not go well at work today and you are worried about what is coming next. These are momentary events that cause stress in our lives.
Episodic Acute Stress
Episodic acute stress is when you have a continual impact of stress in your life due to a disposition or way of handling events. Examples of this are the Type A personality or the person who is always rushed, in a hurry, and never on time. It may be the person who seems to be in constant turmoil with things never going right. Or, maybe it is the person who constantly worries and knows the world is coming-to-an-end. It seems that stress is always present in their lives.
Chronic Stress
This is the never ending stress that simply hammers away at you emotionally and physically. It seems to never end, day in and day out as the problems of your life persist. There is never relief from the constant strain on you mentally and your body begins to show the signs of chronic stress. You simply do not see a way forward because of the circumstances you are facing. Maybe you have a constant lack of money and cannot afford health insurance, car repairs, or even basic necessities such as food. Perhaps you have chronic stress due to unemployment, or to an inability to provide for your family. Possibly it is caused by a failing marriage or other failing family relationships. Grief or the chronic illness of a loved one can also cause chronic stress.
There are other categories of stress but for most of us the categories are irrelevant. All we really desire is a way out from the physical and emotional burdens of stress.
God’s Answer
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Matthew 6:25, 27
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
John 14:1
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
