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Ramblin' Dan
Dan Roloff is the editor of TheHighCalling.org, and his blog, Ramblin’ Dan, has a little bit of everything. At times, a theologian, philosopher, comedian, publisher, sports enthusiast, and businessman, Dan offers a transparent look at the high calling of one man’s work.
subscribe to this blog >Stress and Prayer
10.9.08
HighCallingBlogs.com is sponsoring a group writing project: What I Learned From Stress. Blogger Robert Hruzek is coordinating this project at Middle Zone Musings. The subject intrigues and overwhelms me at the same time.
The fact that stress is such a big topic in our lives is fascinating. The world is a much smaller place today than ever before. This medium, the Internet, is evidence of that. We’re much more aware of the world’s problems, almost intimately so. In the U.S. the need to accumulate more and more stuff as proof of our success adds to our level of stress.
For me, stress is tied to my tendency to over-analyze things. I anticipate what can go wrong, and several scenarios play out in my head. I gravitate to the worst-case scenario. This raises my level of anxiety, and I get overwhelmed with stress.
Over the years, I’ve prayed about the stressers in my life. I’ve learned that I’m really not good at turning my burdens over to Christ in prayer. I say I want the stress and anxiety to be lifted, but I don’t let go. I hold on to the stress. Maybe I believe that I need to resolve the stress.
I tell my younger daughter to turn her worries over to Jesus. But if she does, she can’t take the worries back. Let Jesus have them.
It’s a question of faith. Can Jesus lift my burdens? He does every time I let him. My problem is I keep clinging to my burdens and the stress mounts.
If I step away from the stress and noise of everyday life and calm myself, several things happen. I become more present in prayer. My breathing slows and becomes deeper, more rhythmic, and less staccato. The calmness reduces stress and tension. At this point, I’m more aware of my prayers and able to turn over the stress.
Visit Middle Zone Musings for more about the group writing project.
READER'S COMMENTS
Dan, it's a constant surprise to me when I realize I'm NOT turning it over to Him. Or, when I do, I find I've "taken it back", so to speak. Aggravating, to have to do it over and over, isn't it
And yet, I know it's the best course of action! I mean, God has proven himself repeatedly, to the point where even the most brain-dead of us could see it's in our best interest.
Well, at least we're in good company. Even the Apostle Paul fought the same battle. *sigh*
Thanks for joining the fray this month, Dan! Oh, and welcome to the Middle Zone... :-)Dan - I couldn't agree more. We know that we are to turn our burdens to The Lord and then our human nature kicks-in and we revert back to trying to solve the problem in our own strength. As the song says " Oh for the grace to trust Him more".
God Bless.
Thanks, Robert and Mike. Sometimes when when I make myself this transparent I feel like I'm alone. Thanks for the affirmation.