Irritable? Stressed?
I’ll admit. Since my retirement in November, I have more margin in my life. (You know. . . that little bit of extra time to pause, think clearly, and consider consequences more thoroughly.) I enjoy traveling to visit family over weekends, which previously held church responsibilities.
But long before my retirement, I was intentionally creating margin in my life, having learned the hard way that, without it, I make mistakes (some serious) and am not ‘present’ with others as I desire.
During Holy Week, if you piece together Jesus’ last days from our gospel writers, we see He had little margin. Those final days were packed with lessons, visuals, and predictions that elevated stress for Himself and His followers. Yet His ministry of being ‘present’ with those before Him never waned. After a long day of teaching and confronting detractors in the temple, He sat privately with His most faithful friends and followers on the Mount of Olives, preparing them for what was coming. (Matthew 24, Mark 13, & Luke 21)
Sure, Jesus responded to some stressful situations that week. He was disappointed (weeping over Jerusalem – Matt. 23:37 & Luke 13:34), righteously angry (turning the tables of money changers in the temple – John 2:14-16), and even despairing (praying and weeping in the garden before His death), yet He responded without irritability or error.
Your ministry may also have little margin right now. Holy Week may include preparing for additional special services, events, and follow-ups with members and visitors. Rest may be elusive, and to-do lists overwhelming. Special seasons pile work onto your typical weekly load.
Unlike Jesus, our stress can have sinful consequences. We often become irritable and are prone to poor decisions when weary or overwhelmed. Lack of margin can also have the opposite effect from what we intend with all those ‘good works’ that keep us so busy. The Kendrick brothers’ The Love Dare reminds us that loving others is negatively impacted when our schedules do not allow for margin, leaving us stressed and irritable. Rather than being refreshed and outwardly focused, we become weary and self-focused. Irritability detracts from our ability to love as God calls. God’s love is not irritable. (I Corinth. 13:5)
So, how do we combat the stress that can lead to irritability? How do we create margin? And how do we love others well? While Easter is upon us, we can plan now for our next busy season. We can plan to delegate tasks that others could do (Exodus 18:17-23), freeing up time, giving us margin, and opening our hearts to those around us. All of this helps us love others for Jesus.
Additional stress managers you may consider:
- Pray about it. Confess your busyness and irritability, and ask the Lord to change your heart.
- Eat healthy, balanced meals and limit snacks and sugary or alcoholic drinks.
- Take a walk, or do another type of physical activity you enjoy. Establishing a regular exercise routine can help relieve stress.
- Keep a planner or calendar where you also schedule social time with friends.
- Listen to uplifting music.
- Take time to read a book, play a game, or work on a puzzle rather than sit in front of another screen.
Margin does not have to be elusive. With God’s help, we can manage even our full schedules to His glory.
By Shawn Maassel, St. Leonard, Maryland