“I really know how it feels to be, stressed out, stressed out. When you’re face to face with your adversity. I really know how it feels to be, stressed out, stressed out. We’re gonna make this thing work out eventually.” A Tribe Called Quest featuring Faith Evans, “Stressed Out,” Beats, Rhymes, and Life, 1996

BALANCE. HARMONY. RECIPROCITY. Yesterday was a stressful one. Have you ever awakened to the morning sunlight, smiled at your day’s calendar, showered, got dressed, had your breakfast, and then bam! A call comes in causing your day to go in a totally different direction. It might not even be a phone call. It could be some other incident like backing out your driveway and rolling over your neighbor’s cat, or someone at your residence or place of work is being totally unreasonable about handling a situation.  I’m not sure what it is, but I know that stressful situations are something we all have in common. Before you know it, your entire day is wrapped up in putting out that one fire. How do you get through it? Well, first, I acknowledge the stress. That way I am not in denial about the wrench that has been put in my day. Then, I call on a Higher Power to help me get through the situation without giving in to its intensity. The Higher Power provides me with the strength to think more clearly. Besides, we can sit and plan all we want, but if it is not in God’s plan, it won’t work out anyways. Obviously handling this situation yesterday was in God’s plan, not mine. So I try to see a brighter side for why it could be happening. Finally, I make sure I do this on a full stomach because having the energy to fight against principalities (not necessarily people) is crucial. And if the problem is not solved by the end of the day, I try my best to place it on a shelf to pick up again on the next day. We can only give it our best shot, right?

The DDR: As Faith sings in ATCQ’s “Stressed Out”, I really know how it feels to be stressed out standing face-to-face with adversity.  But we must remember that all things work out for those who love the Lord. Sometimes to just call His name when things are unraveling is all we need to do. He steps right in with the quickness. Have a blessed Thursday!