Stress is always trying to trip us up and reduce us to a heap of trembling, useless mush. What should we do? (1) Immerse our exhaustion. Let's try a bubble bath. Or a shower can help 'wash away' fatigue and revive our body and brain. The water's invigorating feeling on our skin helps to spread resilience to our spirit. We may think, 'That doesn't sound very spiritual.' Job's friend Zophar would disagree - he said to Job, who had more troubles than we'll ever see: 'You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away' (Job 11:16 NLT).
(2) Ask for help. Let's delegate chores and responsibilities if we can. When everyone does their portion, no one is left depleted. 'Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble' (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT).
(3) Give up the perfectionism. Nobody's perfect except Jesus, and we're not him. Let's let some things go, then tomorrow a few more. Over time, those chores will stop nagging at us, and we'll feel the stress in the pit of our stomach disintegrate.
So what now? You'll never be totally stress free, but you can learn to cope with it and conquer it. Jesus said, '"I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world' (John 16:33 NCV).