Pathway to Peaceনমুনা

Determine the Sources

I was so maxed that evening at the airport that I couldn’t see the world around me and it was taking a serious toll.  My growing awareness enabled me to consciously slow down and clear my mind.  I felt physically ill but wasn’t even remotely aware of it until that moment at A-23.  Something felt deeply wrong.  

God’s desire for us far exceeds this, and He can lead us as we seek a reprieve.  In the end, He enables a peace that is only achievable and sustainable through Him.  It is beyond our comprehension because it’s not of this world.  

In order to experience His desire for our lives, we need to overcome the stress standing in our way, and our pursuit must be a deliberate process.  Determining the sources of our stress, or our “stressors”, and why they exist, is central to ultimately achieving the peace God promises.  

Some of the most common stressors are overuse of technology, over-commitment, work, social media, insecurity, social pressure, the pursuit of approval, rejection, crises of identity, the fear of not having enough, minor conflict, failing to please, failing to control, deadlines, health issues, politics, news events, financial issues, wanting more, and chronic multitasking.  A deeper question will be why these stressors exist in our lives.  

There are also immense event-driven stressors like serious relationship issues, deceit, current and past injustice, job loss, financial difficulty, feelings of deep guilt and shame, major health issues, physical violation, addiction, divorce, the loss of a loved one, pandemics, war, and other trauma.  These stressors and experiences have a much higher probability of leading to anxiety and/or depression, and a professional counselor’s guidance is highly recommended to help you overcome them.  

Fortunately, God is more powerful than all stressors and past experiences.  His presence and wisdom are with you and will provide perfect direction as you navigate this path. .  But first, determining our stressors is foundational, as is finding resolution or balance around them.  

We go deeper on prayer and devotion on days five and six because calling a time-out and surrendering the clock to God is a critical part of achieving this.  It enables us to clear our minds and peel back layers to understand the sources and achieve resolution.  The impact of this pursuit on your well-being could be life-changing.  

What are the greatest sources of your stress?  Which do you feel you could eliminate or create balance around with the proper tools?