Comments on: Destressing Step 1: Regain Control

By: Jean Hall

Jean Hall — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:24:15 +0000

You’ve said it well.

First reaction–take a knee.

Second reaction–remind myself that gut reactions are only for imminent, life-threatening emergencies. Every other situation requires a response. A well thought out response. A pro-active response.

Third step–consider my possible responses and choose one.

Fourth step–get up off my knees and get to work.

Jean

By: Cindy R. Wilson

Cindy R. Wilson — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:43:22 +0000

Good post. Stress fuels me sometimes because I work well under pressure. But when life hits me with something completely unexpected? My first thought is to analyze just what I am dealing with, then talk it through. Talk it through with my husband or a friend, or even God.

By: janetgrant

janetgrant — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:34:30 +0000

BJ, Mmmm, chocolate. I wish I would have thought of that! Perfect solution to stress! I’m off to munch some now…

By: BJ Hamrick

BJ Hamrick — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:19:43 +0000

My first response to life’s gut-punch is chocolate.

After that it’s all about regrouping and figuring out what to do next.

Loved this post.

By: janetgrant

janetgrant — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:50:25 +0000

For me, part of regaining control is actually releasing control of the situation into God’s hands. I vividly recall a day when it appeared that my husband would never come home to me from his 71-day stay in the hospital. While that was crushing (beyond stressful) to of, my immediate response was to place him, once again, in God’s hands. A gentle peace came over me. My husband did survive, but that moment of relinquishment has stayed with me as a sweet memory.

By: LeAnne Hardy

LeAnne Hardy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:18:04 +0000

Such good advice, from readers as well as Janet. Thank you to all.

By: Kristen Torres-Toro

Kristen Torres-Toro — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:05:57 +0000

I try to strategize as well. Making a plan really helps. I really try to take each moment as it comes, step by step. Sometimes the big picture can be overwhelming!

By: Kelli

Kelli — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:14:50 +0000

Janet,
What a great post! I agree with Lynn about reaching out to people.

We were not meant to be islands, and despite the protestations of my Scotch/Irish nature, I’ve realized that I wasn’t meant to go through crisis alone.

I also believe in the power of doing the “next thing”. Sometimes life’s cudgels can be overwhelming. If we look at the whole picture we may be tempted to despair.

But we can say, “today I will do the dishes, and then I will re-write one chapter”. Or if the cudgel is an illness, “Today my victory will be walking from one room to another.”

We only despise the day of small beginnings when we try to do too much.

Last, I remind myself that while the situation is utterly miserable, it is NOT a surprise to God. I wasn’t prepared for it, but He saw it coming, and He was.

Then my challenge is to lean close and hear His strategy.

I can’t wait for the rest of your posts in this series. I’ll be back every day this week!

Cheering you on,
Kelli

By: Lynn Dean

Lynn Dean — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:16:12 +0000

“Do the next right thing.”

That was the counsel of a speaker I heard years ago who had been through a time of intense stress. Her point was much like yours. We may not have it all figured out yet, but we will attain a degree of relief by taking even small steps in a positive direction. So even before the ultimate route is clear, we can usually see far enough to decide what to do with the next minute, the next hour, the next day. And eventually, all those small positive steps add up.

By: Lynn Rush

Lynn Rush — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:58:39 +0000

Gerat post.

Gosh, what’s the first step when life punches me in the gut? . . . I stop and reach out to two people. My hubby and God.

For example. I got punched in the gut August 2009 when I got a call informing me I was laid off my job.

Totally unexpected.

Yikes.

I stopped, held my tongue, and kindly hung up the phone, then I fell into my hubby’s arms then onto my knees seeking God’s counsel.

Janet, you’re right on when you say, “Much of the stress we feel is that lack of control.” If we can stop and refocus, it’s much more manageable.