Stress

Stress is brutal on the body. Generally, I'm a pretty balanced guy that doesn't stress about much. This online giving thing is an exception though, and is very stressful. Every day this isn't running it likely costs us money, and I really don't know how much. When it is all said and done it will be very interesting (and possibly disheartening) to see where it shakes out. If our income drops as a result of this transition, there is a very real chance we will have to start taking drastic budget measures. We have already cut nearly $900,000 out of this budget over previous years. To take another 20% cut would not be pretty.

My back is hurting, a nerve is being pinched causing my arm to feel odd (if I sit too long in bad chairs, or drive a lot), and I know exactly the cause of it. Stress. Well, that and using a chain saw for several hours and moving wood around my yard :-)

This passage comes to mind:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
(Philippians 4:4-8 ESV)

I have used this passage in counseling more than a few times. Chuck Swindoll paraphrased it beautifully: "Worry about nothing. Pray about everything." I know these things to be true. I have memorized this passage and quote it often. But it's really hard to put this whole project out of my mind, and the stress of it plus everything else is definitely taking its toll on me.

I need to take my own advice, heed the scriptures above, and put all of this out of my mind. Still, I know when they finally get ACH operational that a huge load will be lifted off my shoulders. Looking forward to that...

Joel