Have you been stressed out lately?

Whether you're stuck in traffic on your way to work, already ten minutes late, or just trying to pick up a new coffee table at the overcrowded Ikea, stress is a regular part of everyday life. But there are special events and circumstances that are beyond the category of "normal." Things like the death of a loved one, a major change in your career, or a change in your financial status, these are super stressors. And when a few of these super stressors are all happening at one time, there is a very good chance that your body will begin to respond adversely and you will get physically ill.

Back in 1967, Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe created a system to determine the level of stress a person may be experiencing, called Holmes Stress Point Scale, in which they list these super stressors with point values for each depending on the magnitude of the particular stressor. It originally appeared in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE HOLMES STRESS POINT SCALE.

SO WHAT NOW?
Obviously, in life there are circumstances and situations that are simply beyond our control. Most items listed on the Holmes Stress Point Scale can not be predicted nor controlled in any way. And that is precisely the point. The most stressful things in our lives are those things which exist outside of the realm of our control. So, can we actually do anything about it?

Our journey from Chicago to Columbus was a huge "test" of faith. And it still going. After I got my job offer from Vineyard Columbus, Angela and I spent a lot of time praying and seeking wise council from our family and friends to discern the voice of God in this situation. After this season of prayer, we both felt like taking this job was the right thing to do, which meant leaving behind a wonderful church, great friends, a job that I loved, and a city that we've grown to love over many, many years. It also meant that we had to leave while Angela was 7 months pregnant, and also without finding a buyer for our condo. Lots of stressors that are quickly adding up. But we felt like this was what God was asking of us, so we obeyed.

It has now been over 4 months since our move from Chicago. We've had our difficult moments, but overall, we do feel pretty adjusted. Our family of 3 has now grown into a family of 4! The job is going great. We are slowly making friends. And it really feels like a wonderful season. But... And there is always a "but" isn't there?!? As I've said earlier, our test of faith is still going on. We have yet to sell our condo. And so here we are, full of faith that we did exactly what God was asking of us, and yet the stressors are not all gone. Did we not hear from God correctly? Did our family and friends give us bad advice? All good questions, but not necessarily the most important one: What is God doing with us in this season in these circumstances?

You see, despite what the passionate teachers of the prosperity gospel may preach, hardship, suffering, adversity, and difficulties have a crucial role to play in the life of a Christian, indeed the life of any human being. I think this is exactly what Paul was getting at in Romans 5:

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

So, in the midst of the challenges and stresses of life, we stand and we persevere, fully confident that "hope does not disappoint us." And in this place of pain, desperation, and hope, these words of David from Psalm 42 take on a whole new depth of meaning for me:

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.

8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"

10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

I had the privilege of attending the Vineyard east regional conference at the Poconos with about 800 pastors and leaders in attendance. It was the first time I had been to the Poconos. It was absolutely beautiful! No cell phone reception! That's how beautiful it was!

The conference went really well. I got to meet a bunch of wonderful people and had some great opportunities to pray for people during the ministry time. Rich, of course, did a phenomenal job teaching. There are a lot of really exciting things happening in this region, and I think what Rich had to share will really be a catalyst for starting new churches and making the locals churches more effective in reaching their cities.

This trip as an opportunity to learn. I got to pick Rich's brain about everything from leadership to church planting. In addition to our conversations, I also had the opportunity to sit in on all of his group and personal meetings and just listen and observe. I learned so much!

Well, that was my first ministry trip with Rich. It is my desire to compile and post things here that I am learning from my experience as Rich's research assistant for the next 2 years or so in hopes that others can also learn with me.

Vineyard East is hosting a regional conference in Poconos, PA. that I will be attending with Rich Nathan. This is my first time going to a Vineyard conference in the East region. I am looking forward to learning a lot and meeting new people.

Click here for more information about the conference.