Economy Increasing Mental Stress

Mental stress spirals with economyAccording to a landmark Gallup-Healthways poll out this week Americans are becoming more and more stressed out, especially in light of the faltering economy. The daily survey of 355,3334 people determines an ‘Emotional health Index’. (EHI) The largest of all such surveys weighs negative factors against those that are positive.

The survey of 355,334 people is believed to be the largest, longest and most thorough poll showing how emotional well-being shifts due to economic factors. Higher scores are achieved when there are more positive emotions than fewer negative emotions. The study found that those living in Hawaii and Alaska to have the least overall mental stress, while people residing in Kentucky and West Virginia experienced the most.

Stress and strain are not uncommon to man. They are part of the human condition, originating via the first couple’s rebellion against their Creator. (Genesis 3:1-19) The Old Testament figure Job knew all too well about life’s overwhelming difficulties. He detailed his painful experiences in the Bible’s oldest book. In the fifth chapter and verse seven he states, “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Paul also wrote of the universal results of mankind’s fall in Romans 8:21-22. “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”

Those who expect life to proceed with little or no stress will be always disappointed. Not only is that true, it sometimes appears that those who honor and live for God are stricken with even more hardships than their godless counterparts. This is a concept written about in some detail by David in Psalm 73. The King had been crying out to God over what he felt to be an unfair balance between the problems of God’s people against those who had no time for spiritual things. But eventually he saw the light – God’s light. Starting with the 16th verse he records, “When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me — until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.”

There are two basic ways for the Christian to approach the varied difficulties life may bring. There is the sad, and all too common, ‘woe is me’ route that leaves God’s purposes and provisions out of the equation. Then there is the response James offered up in chapter one of his New Testament letter. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4) Interestingly, the word ‘perfect’ comes from the same Greek word (teleios) as uttered from Jesus when on the cross. At the end of his unspeakable ordeal he cried out, “It is Finished”. His words signaled that the sins of the world were paid for in full. The term means fully complete. In other words, the believer who responds biblically to trials and troubles can become completely spiritually mature!

When life’s trials come, whether rarely and mildly or suddenly and constantly, the Christian faces a choice. He or she can live in total frustration and defeat or view it all as did Paul in Romans 8:18. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” But if Paul’s great perspective is not quite enough to help in the struggle, they need to seriously consider the other advice offered by James – perhaps the exact advice that eventually helped David revise his attitude on the subject.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:4-6)

Experiencing stresses and strains in a fallen world is universal. It is not a choice for those in or outside of family of God. But Christians do have a unique ability through God’s Holy Spirit to react in such a manner as to completely perfect their faith while continually glorifying their Lord!

Bill Breckenridge