Dealing with Stress: Coping with Feeling Stressed

Calling Upon Your Highest Self

Many have heard the expression, “What would Jesus Do?” or “What would love do?” In times of stress, it is easy to go instantly into “What would stress do?” only to feel guilty about that later. Reacting from an internal point of stress rather than an internal point of view of “What would my highest self do?” is an easy trap under which to fall.

First, it is important to note that stress is a part of a life and an unavoidable part at that. Secondly, it is vital to our well being to accept and embrace the stress and move right on through it. Accepting stress does not mean that you are weak and submissive; in fact, it means that you are coming from a strong suit, a place of wholeness. Without stress, there would be no overcoming, no accomplishments, and no opportunity to better ourselves.

Allowing ourselves to feel that stress and even submit to a minor breakdown or feeling of despair is perfectly acceptable. However, staying in that place for too long is where our ego has the power to take control. Feelings of overwhelm, no way out, or too much to bear are feelings all the same. They may not be feelings we desire to have, but nonetheless, they are feelings just the same.

Once you have embraced these feelings, set aside a short period of time to now embrace them. The longer we fight these feelings, albeit negative ones, the longer it will take to come out through the other side. That other side is one of triumph and, more often than not, God’s will for us. Take time out to be quiet, even to cry, and most importantly to pray. Even in His darkest hour, Jesus took time out to pray to His Father.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus embraced His painful sorrow, submitted to it, and prayed upon it, as well. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (King James Version, Luke 22:42).

When we pray to the Father, we call upon our highest self – the place where God resides within us. We can tap into that divinity within ourselves, knowing in faith that our prayers will be heard, our highest self will be reached, and that God will work it out for our highest good.

Amen.