Stress Test

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33

The holidays are idealized as special, fun-filled times with friends and family. The flip side, however, is the stress that accompanies them. And that can be more serious than a dinnertime disagreement with your in-laws. Stress is actually a life-and-death proposition that leads to cardiovascular disease, workplace injuries, sleep disturbances, ulcers and even cancer. In fact, the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reports that healthcare expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who endure high levels of stress.

It's unfortunate that the Christmas season comes with such a hefty price tag — and we're not talking about those sky-high MasterCard and VISA bills that will arrive in January. Like the socks or sweaters you might receive from an aunt or distant cousin, Christmas-related stress comes in a variety of colors and styles. It can be physical, emotional and financial. And not only can Christmas strain your bank account, December 25 can bring emotional turmoil when it's a reminder of a broken relationship or the death of a loved one.

The vibrant reds and greens of Christmas often seem deep blue for many hurting people. And that's when God enters the picture.

The Bible tells us that long before the world was formed, our Creator knew our names. He knew when and where we would be born, what sort of lives we would lead, and when we would die. And he also knew that we'd need someone to save us from the consequences of our many failures and shortcomings. So God decided to do it himself by personally living out the human experience on Earth through his Son, Jesus Christ.

By literally becoming God among us, Jesus understands the stress of Christmas — and in ways we might not have considered. Leading up to that first Christmas when Jesus was born among a stable-full of less-than-spotless farm animals, Joseph and Mary (his earthly parents) were quite familiar with it. They experienced emotional stress from the scandalous rumors swirling around Mary's pregnancy. They endured physical stress from the grueling trip to Bethlehem mandated by the Roman census. And with money in short supply, financial stress was abundant.

But because he personally experienced it all, Jesus relates to our stress and sorrows, whether it's December 25 or any other day of the year. What's more, he's promised his followers — that's you and me — that he'll never leave them or forget them. So while the holidays may be stressful, it's through our Savior that we can always find peace of mind. May we never forget this calming passage from the book of Isaiah: 

Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace — in peace because they trust in you.