A common way for making life less appreciable …

A brother in Christ I’ve known for some time almost always answers the question, “How are you doing?” with the answer of “Stressed!”

I don’t know if there’s a time since I’ve known him when he hasn’t claimed to be stressed about something.

However, his household brings in an above average income that finances a comfortable lifestyle. He’s happily married. He has teenage children who are maturing well. He has a loving family. He has friends. He has a supportive church family. He lacks for nothing. He owns his own home. He lives debt-free financially.

This brother, like the rest of us. experiences challenges in life from time to time, but generally lives happily and comfortably most of the time.

But he lives his life much like many others do: consistently creating crisis out of life!

His life is not in crisis, nor does he actually experience a real crises very often, but he creates crisis out of simple things in life.

He gets stuck in rush hour traffic … he stresses out.

There’s a work assignment that’s a little more challenging than usual … he stresses out.

The family schedule gets a little hectic with everyone needing to get everywhere for their own commitments … he stresses out.

Church runs 15 minutes longer than usual … he stresses out.

But where is the crisis?

It usually doesn’t exist!

The same for most of us.

Most of us aren’t reeling from widespread destruction caused by a powerful hurricane like the citizens of the Bahamas are … people who are facing a real crisis.

Most of us aren’t threatened for our lives by an ebola outbreak like the citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are … people who are facing real crises.

Most of us had something to eat yesterday, and will today, unlike so many around the world who are unsure if they will have anything to feed their children or themselves before sundown … people who are facing real crises.

A crisis is not getting home in time to have dinner finished before your favorite TV show comes on, although some act like it is ….

… creating crises out of life!

When we live this way, we rob ourselves of being able to create a life out of crisis when the real thing comes along.

Imagine how much more peaceful, richer, deeper, appreciable, and simpler life would be if we enjoyed life as it is, and saved the “stress” for the real crises when (or if) they come along.

Scotty