I stumbled across a new definition of stress the other day. Stress, according to author Richard Carlson, is a sprain to the soul.
Yes, yes, it is.
There’s no denying we’re all stressed right now about too many things.
Carlson’s perspective reframed my understanding of the life we’re all living – stretched out of emotional proportion by the coronavirus pandemic, the financial strain, the shelter-in-place isolation, the lurking what’s-going-to-happen-next fear.
This weighs so heavily on our hearts, minds, and bodies and sprains our souls.
It’s good to acknowledge an injury – to recognize that something is wrong. But even more important, we need to take care of ourselves when we’re hurt. Ignore a physical sprain to an ankle or wrist? The healing process will be prolonged. We may even cause more damage to our bodies.
The same is true when our spirits are wounded, which means we shouldn’t ignore the harm inflicted by unrelenting stress.
- Our thought process is impaired, so that we can’t focus.
- Our sleep cycle is affected, causing us to either sleep more or not be able to sleep at all.
- Fear increases and can develop into anxiety attacks.
In the past few weeks, it’s helped me to just say, “I’m stressed” out loud. To my husband. To trusted friends. To other writers who understand what it’s like to release a book when life is normal, much less trying to do it when my publisher – every single publisher – is trying to function during COVID-19.
Talking about the specifics of our anxiety with other people – and letting them share honestly, too – also helps. We’re physically separated, yes, but we can still rally around one another via texts and phone calls and Zoom meetings and cards and social media comments.
We also need to remember that self-care is an effective antidote to stress.
I’m going to make choices that decrease the strain on my soul. It can be as simple as a walk outside beneath the Colorado blue sky. If I get to talk with my walking and prayer partner, Mary, all the better. Many evenings I fall asleep listening to music that comforts my heart. (Anyone familiar with Caleb and Kelsey?) And I’m a huge fan of Instagram because so many people share uplifting posts. Do you follow TobyMac #SpeakLife? So encouraging.
I’m going keep looking for opportunities to decrease the strain on my soul. Care to join me?
Choosing to Heal the Stress that Sprains Our Souls https://bit.ly/3bORBcj #coronavirus #encouragment #choices Click To Tweet 'Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.' Quote by Henry Ward Beecher https://bit.ly/3bORBcj #choices #stress Click To Tweet
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Comments 9
No healing here. The end is coming.
I am not ready, but what the hell. It’s all too late.
This will be their last attack;
the coal-dark flag’s unfurled.
Ammo state is going black;
for God’s sake, roll the world!
I fought for all we have and are,
for all that we hold dear,
but now it has gone way too far;
GET ME OUT OF HERE!
I understand the days we live,
and their unfeeling laws;
thus, one last command to give:
fire mission, on my pos.
Give me time to genuflect,
then airburst, brother, for effect.
Author
Andrew:
In the midst of your long battle, you have offered words of healing and hope to many. I am changed because of your friendship. We don’t know our beginning from our end — that is in God’s hands. I’m thankful He is trustworthy. You are in my prayers.
Beth, thank you so much.
This morning God put a song on my heart; may I share it with you? It’s from the Beach Boys.
Author
Andrew: That Beach Boys song is fantastic. Not to mention their coordinated outfits and even their coordinated poses. Thanks for sharing this with us.
My sons are doctors. Illnesses and wounds can’t be treated until they are seen and diagnosed. X-ray honesty during this unusual global time of extreme stress allows us to say, “It hurts here” as we show friends and confess to God for His help. David does that in the Psalms, gets in touch with his pain, connects with God, and his verses end in triumph almost every time. Thank you, Beth.
Beth, what a beautiful post. You share so much wisdom here. I’d never thought about stress being a sprain to the soul, but yeah, I would have to agree. And taking care of ourselves so we can heal makes a whole lot of sense. I imagine that looks slightly different for each of us. I love morning walks as well, discovering beauty in my day, listening to music that points me to Jesus, and I’m trying to be more intentional about things like spending time with Jesus daily, exercise, and sleep.
Thanks for your words today.
Author
It’s good that you know what helps you heal — and that discovering beauty is one of those things. Music is so vital for me, too. I’m finding I can focus better if I use my Bose headphones and ramp up my favorite Spotify playlists.
Beth, thanks so much for introducing me to Caleb and Kelsey. ❤️ I’ve heard their music in passing, but never put names to it. I’ve listened to Oceans about a dozen times now. So beautiful.
Author
Kim: I’m so glad you’re enjoying Caleb and Kelsey. No matter how many times I listen to them, I find their music my go-to.