Running From Pain

We all have ways to deal with the stress in our lives.  When bad things happen to us, whether expected or sudden, we may scream, overeat, not eat at all, have trouble getting to sleep or not be able to sleep, shop till our credit is blown, punch something, get lost in computer games, drive far and aggressively, drink alcohol in excess, take illegal drugs, pray, get mad at someone who doesn't deserve it, smoke more and more cigarettes or pot, quit a job or a marriage, indulge in too much sex, get a massage, increase your participation in your favorite athletic pursuit, talk with friends or a counselor, feel depressed and not want to get out of bed at all, etc.

Do you recognize yourself in any of this?  I've certainly used several of these coping methods over the years.  Generally, I've screamed the two times I've come home to several inches of water in my first floor.  Then I get over it, turn the water off and go from there.  For long-lasting stress, I inherited the quick and easy habit of overeating from my mom and grandma, although we've had success now and then in trying to deal with the source of stress instead of just eating to self-medicate.  I could spend my life on computer games, but, well, there was a job and the usual shopping, etc.  Besides, I gave up computer games for Lent.

Some of these methods are healthy; we know that some are not healthy.  If we realize what we are doing is not healthy, it's in our best long-term interests to resolve to quit.  Quitting a bad habit cold turkey while you get support from family or friends is a proven way to quit many harmful activities.

There seems to be a greater level of stress associated with living in America in 2014.  Perhaps the level of stress these days depends on how many hours of television news we assimilate every day or week.  The world is right in our faces - over and over again, the same tragedies - Ben Gazzi, tornadoes, shootings, bombings, stabbings, murders, over and over again.  The political situation couldn't be more polarized than it is today.  The many commercials in themselves are aggravating and stressful.

Certainly, we need very much to know what is going on in the world both far and local, but how much and how often?  I've known several people who got so depressed by watching local TV news night after night (one called it 'just the police news') that they turned the news off permanently and just read about it in the newspaper. (I like to mute most commercials!)

There's no solution for ridding ourselves of sources of stress but perhaps we can take life a little slower and easier.  Perhaps we can drive a little slower and not try to get back at those who try to cut us off or grab the parking place we've sharked out before we can.  Perhaps we can speak a little softer and more gently to all we meet, especially our families.  Perhaps we can try to lower everyone else's level of stress.  Maybe in doing that, we can all help each other cope.  And yes, I've taken a lifetime to learn that if we share our pain with those we love, they will support us in our own hard times.

Dear Lord, help us to GET A GRIP on what is stressing us!  Help us deal with what we can and tolerate what we can't affect.  Help us help each other.  While we're at it, we know that praying or talking with You, dear Lord, is perhaps the best and easiest and cheapest and healthiest way to deal with any and all stress!