We are concerned here with some stress, perhaps with depression. The concepts are sometimes confusing to us, and may be identified differently from one person to another. When for example is stress a form of depression or depression a form of stress? Both depression and stress are sometimes good for us. When not severe they may be motivating causing us to work harder to achieve some objective – motivation is a legitimate form of stress. When the objective is achieved the stress goes away, but we may be stretched out and unduly weary, so must treat such matters. Are we treating the investment effort of the assignment, or are we treating stress? It is good to begin by acknowledging that stress is a part of life, as invariable as becoming tired from physical (stress) labor is assured when the labor is taxing. Now, how do we live with the stress that we will have, especially if it adds depression as part of the syndrome?
The researchers have found that women are likely to feel stress more than men, but are more likely to deal with it in some way rather than accepting it. Men tend to hide it, and women try to erase it. Neither may work well because the treatment of stress is somewhat varied, depending upon the nature of the stress. The nature of the person may have a weakness for excessive stress or depression, or both. Through the years I have observed the combinations, especially as they related to my wife. As a child she was severely depressed, sometimes stressed, and in her era there was little done about the matter, especially in children. Further some of the oddities in psychology, like the accents on Freudian theory did not serve her at all.
Today stress is treated in ways that one can accept, and which many ministerial counselors used before they became major participants. They include such activity as: 1- taking time-out (perhaps a vacation, or a weekend in some enjoyable surroundings with or without accompaniment, but with some special approach that weakens the stress); 2- engaging in increased exercise that is not boring or done under duress of any kind, (perhaps walking through a park, swimming, riding a bicycle, or anything that livens the body – perhaps best done in nature); 3- relating to another person, (perhaps a mate as my wife did with me, or dear friend, or a counselor/therapist); and, 4- finding a means to transcend, (perhaps prayer if the person is of faith, or meditate, so to find a means for mindfulness to overcome circumstances). This last has always been a part of the Christian approach, but has been downplayed or overlooked. It has been discovered in research that persons finding spiritual approaches, whether natural or divine, and practiced faithfully, there is marked improvement. These are factors that reduce anxiety and negative moods. But we remember that the problem may not go away. It is managed. The individual takes over his or her life rather than being controlled by unwanted forces. A major point is made here is that prayer, meditation, and what are perceived as spiritual factors by most persons do serve as important solutions to improved self-control.
Christians going through stress or depression often feel they must be bad persons who have failed their faith because of the dark problems of the mind and spirit. Often the negative factor is as much a part of the person as hunger. Not all human negatives are sin, even if they may be some of the consequences of the inadequacies we find in body and spirit. As the body even when lived guardedly will eventually yield to weakness and illness, so the psyche, the mind, the person, must deal with the inconveniences of natural existence. It can be done, and prayer, especially with the comfort of a Christian friend, family member, or pastor counselor ought to be helpful in the process. Intense enough to believe there is a management of our persons, even in their weaknesses, will usually lead to what may be called solutions – even if they may not be perfected in our lives. We may only need rest. It is important to share the problem with one person, perhaps two – hold to limit. One is usually preferred – if competent. To recite the problem too many times may exacerbate it. We are working with an intelligent way to distance ourselves from aggravations. Most persons seem to feed problems more than starve them. We can choose our nourishment in prayer, in activity that completes us as human beings in involving ourselves with others, perhaps in serving them. It a part of life that negatives be solved, perhaps tolerated. but distanced from habits. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020