In the span of one hour, my ten-year-old son told a fib, my seven-year-old pushed his brother, and my infant had a poo in the bathtub. Stressed to the breaking point, I felt my muscles stiffen up and my arms fold into that I-can’t-take-anymore-of-this position. Sound familiar?
If you’re a mom, you’re no stranger to stress. It’s a fact of life! But too much stress can trigger SOS signals in your body that are worth paying attention to. According to the American Psychological Association’s, “Stress in America” report in 2010, symptoms to watch out for include:
Headache
Muscle tension or pain (like arm folding!)
Chest pain
Fatigue
Change in sex drive
Upset stomach
Sleep problem
Panic and Anxiety
Thankfully, the God of all comfort sees us in our weakness. He knows all of the messes you’ve cleaned up, the floors you swept, the meal you brought someone, the helping hands you were to your spouse, the blessing you were to others. As I, (much too slowly and reluctantly) discovered, stress vanishes when I unfold my arms and open them wide to the peace that comes only from our Lord Jesus Christ. He told us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Be encouraged, woman of God. You are an amazing woman doing amazing things for His Kingdom!
Challenge for the week:
Relieve stress both by renewing your body through exercise, meditation, yoga, etc. AND by renewing your spirit with this simple prayer: “Give me the peace that only you can give, Lord Jesus.”
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Thanks for the encouragement, Katie!