Don't Let Stress Take Control.

Stress is all too common in our world today. Stress from school. Stress from work. Stress from peers. In 2015, Millennials were reported to have an average stress level of 6.0 - close to double of that of the Matures generation who were reported with only an average stress level of 3.5. Clearly the society around us is creating an environment that is effecting our mentalities. The question is: What can we do about it?

Well, there really isn't anything we can do about. We can't change society with a flick of the wrist no matter how much we might want to. It's really easy to get overwhelmed with all of these standards we are expected to reach. It's also easy to get stuck in the mindset that we are nothing if we can't succeed in the eyes of society.You probably know where I'm going with this... but we don't have to be perfect for society because God made us perfect in His eyes and that is all that matters!

Psalm 139:14 "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made"

Being in school, and just being a young adult in general, is just a roller coaster of stress. There is never ending pile of assignments to be done sitting on a desk in your room. A coach waits after school for you to come to practice for 2 hours and give the sport your all. Peers and co-workers look at you throughout the day - silently judging. You think to yourself, "When will I be able get a break?"

Like I mentioned before, we can't change society and how it works. We don't have the power to do that and we can't just stop going to school or work. Something we can do, though, is put our trust in God and not our own capabilities. Our strength can never last, and if we go on this journey by ourselves, we will not get very far. So quickly will we become over run with tasks again and feel the stress building up once more.

If we try to go about the hardships on our own, stress can feel like a never ending flood. Thankfully, though, we don't have to try to handle stress by ourselves. God has allowed us to give our worries, fears, and anxieties to Him because He loves us and He is in control.

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you"

I know in my life, I tend to stress about the future because it's something no one can predict and it is unknown us. I also have social anxiety when I have to speak or perform in front of a group of people or even just when I'm just in a public place.

There is no need for me to feel stress for either of these examples, though, because God is stronger than any of my fears. God knows my future, so there is no need for me worry about it. God guides conversations and He is my only audience, so there is no need for me to be anxious in front of others.

Feeling stress is something that is a habit for many of us and it can be hard to not worry about certain situations. We just need to remember that God is always by our side - He will never leave - and that we can give Him all of our anxieties.

words by Grace Butler and photo by Kiana Dundore