Coping with Stress

Through the Example of Christ

Meditation for Directors and Supervisors meeting February 19, 2009

by Beth Rohrer
Director of Residential Living

S. - T. - R. - E. - S. - S.

I was reminded several months ago at a Welcome Breakfast for new residents of what we are to model as supervisors and team members at Landis Homes. One of the residents asked how is it that Landis Homes has employees of love and concern everywhere within our community. And how it is that we find persons of this caliber to work in every area of Landis Homes?

Larry shared that our Guiding Values of Joy - Compassion - Integrity - Stewardship and Community can also relay the concept of Jesus Christ In Street Clothes - intending to remind us to model the life of Christ. And it is by His example that we are to serve and lead.

I have reflected on Larry's reminder numerous times and in considering a meditation for our meeting, wanted to reflect on thoughts to help us model Christ in our work. But as I did I kept thinking of the stress that surrounds us. While I am forever aware of Christ knowing and meeting our every need I wondered how He would respond to stress like we are experiencing.

In regard to Stress - it seems there's no need to debate or discuss if there is an element of stress in our lives. In conversations we have had with one another recently we mention stress - or words that would indicate some element of stress - we use -intense - busy - hectic - crazy - nuts! - like I've never seen it before - or out of control.

And there is recognition of our stress - The Employee Well-ness Commission program - Stress Management Series - went flying out of HR within a few days as 85 employees signed up for that program. An interesting side note in my own experience is that I've been too stressed to start it.........no time..........just stressing!!

So in needing to take a look at the stress in my own life and thinking it may be helpful here,
I broke down the word - and took each letter to help me look at stress - as we have looked at our Guiding Values to model Jesus Christ In Street Clothes.

S - considering the first "S" I looked to where one finds help with anything in life - Scripture. Scripture needs to be the first place to look in working through anything - and it is
not only filled with stories of stress but ways to cope. Scripture's greatest lessons come
in the teachings and life of Christ - and it was in His example that I found ways to deal
with stress. There were also reminders of other writers where .....

Psalm 119: 105 reminds us that "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet.. and a light unto my path" The illumination from God's Word helps us within the darkness of stress

Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that "the Word of God is alive and powerful" Reading here that the scriptures are not simply words but they reflect God's power to strengthen us .......His power that is acted out in our daily lives of stress.

T - the letter "T" reminds us of Christ's need for Team - teamwork - and team members
The first thing Christ did in His ministry was to select and create a team. He didn't lease
office space or select the right black berry or develop an advertising plan - He built a team. A team of people.

He recognized that He would need others to carry out His ministry and work.
And even though Christ was all knowing and all powerful - He often called on His team
to help to get the work done.

But He also empowered them and equipped them in their work as we are to do in leadership - developing individuals within a team to work through obstacles, face frustrations and carry out ministry.

We can often feel alone in our work and some of the tasks before us but we are not alone. We are blessed to be a part of an incredible team that has been selected and developed in service together.

R - the "R" in stress reflects a conflicting approach that Christ often took. It's the concept of rest. Both by His example and in His words of wisdom He recognized the need for rest. His example of resting within stressful times was difficult for His disciples when in Mark 4 we read about Jesus asleep in the boat while fierce gale winds, high seas and stress surrounded the disciples. But as they stressed out - Christ reminded them that fear in the midst of stress will only prevent a faith filled mind.

Asking "why are you so timid, how is it you have no faith?" He teaches within stress that we are to have faith in Him. We are to lean into the strong wind praying and trusting in Him.

When we are stressed rest may not be a natural thing to do but Christ reminds us where we are to rest. We are to rest in Him. He desires to free us from burdens reminding us in Matt 11:28 "Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest."

E - provides the reminder of encouragement that we can find in both the team we work with and the renewal from rest in Christ. Encouragement comes from rest but it comes from community as well. The social elements of the gospels were strong with numerous reminders of Christ gathering with others, enjoying fellowship and feasting that created comradery and community while providing encouragement.

Encouragement comes to me in numerous ways from many team members in serving here at Landis Homes. There is a sense of community and comradery here and we can find encouragement from one another and provide encouragement to one another as we continue to serve together.

S - second "S" is but a second reminder of what Christ desires for us in solitude. His example was one of seeking times of solitude. Often He would escape the crowds - In Mark 1:35 He was "found in an isolated place where He went to pray" In Mark 6: 31 He recognized the need for renewal within solitude when He told the disciples "let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile". Prayer and solitude were a priority for Christ and need to be for us as well.

He often frustrated the disciples when He prayed in solitude while there was so much ministry to be done. And we might advise him in the crazy rat race of today's world ......."you've only got three years to change the world - you need to use your time more wisely -don't just go off and pray - be busy with teaching and healing!"

But the example of solitude in Christ's life teaches us that it needs to be priority in our lives
- seeking the Lord before our schedule gets crazy
- withdrawing from the noise and demands to focus on God
- determined to find times of prayer and solitude within our daily schedule.

S - the last "S" in stress is what I would hope to be the outcome of our looking to Christ's example in coping with stress. It is strength. The Strength that we need within stress-filled lives and the strength can find when we look to the example we have in Christ to cope with our stress.

So let us remember that when we;

Reference	Scripture,
Recognize the value of	Teamwork,
	Rest in Christ
Find	Encouragement from one another
Set aside time for	Solitude
We can find	Strength

And that is my prayer today....... that there would be strength for the stressed
hope for the weary....... as we look to the teachings and example of Christ
in coping with stress.
Let us pray...............

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