Stress & Jesus

Authors Roy Oswald and Arland Jacobson define "stress resilience" as our ability to face challenging and even traumatic situations without breaking down emotionally or losing our ability to respond in a calm, measured manner. And they point to our perfect example of a traumatic life lived with great self-control, tranquility, and peace: Jesus Christ.

Whether he was harassed by angry crowds, challenged by elite religious leaders, or ridiculed by his family and friends, Jesus remained composed. When a storm began to brew on the Sea of Galilee in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus slept peacefully -- unperturbed even by his disciples' frantic pleas. When Jesus encountered Satan in the wilderness, he was calm, confident, and even assertive.

Listen to the authors' words in Chapter 7 of The Emotional Intelligence of Jesus:

To love our enemies is a real stress test. To forgive those who have violated us places us under stress, even as the act of forgiveness frees us from the damaging emotions. Even though most of us may not be called upon to stand steady in the midst of a storm, the challenges of discipleship can be daunting. But Jesus did not shrink from asking his followers to accept such difficult challenges as loving our enemies or being the salt of the earth, nor did he minimize the difficulties. Jesus called us to trust our Father who will care for us and sustain us in our journey.

While many of us prefer lives of calm, there is health in facing our darker sides and recognizing that stress, conflict, and even trauma help us to mature and grow spiritually. As the authors remind us, stress resilience is a trait of emotional intelligence because it helps us manage our emotions better -- often demanding considerable skill under adverse conditions.

How is your tolerance for stress? What will you do this week to turn to the Lord before you respond or retreat, seeking Holy Spirit guidance as you face the challenges of life?

Peace on your week,

Jennie