Where Does Stress Take Us?

When I shared “When the World Feels Heavy: Embracing God’s Grace in Seasons of Stress,” I promised that our next stop would be a bold, no-nonsense follow-up called “Stress Out! Learning to Command the Chaos and Guard Your Peace.” And yes, that’s still coming!

However, something happened along the way. As I prayed, reflected, and gathered more insights, I realised there were a few essential steps we needed to take before we confront stress head-on. Like building a house, we need the right foundation before we start driving anything out the door.

So here's what’s coming instead:

🔹 Blog 2: Where Does Stress Take Us?

🔹 Blog 3: Stress Management Is Not a Luxury—It’s Stewardship

🔹 Blog 4: Practical Grace: A Simple Stress-Reset Guide

🔹 Then... Blog 5: Stress Out! Learning to Command the Chaos and Guard Your Peace

I haven’t changed direction. I’ve just deepened it. These next few posts will equip your heart, soul, and spirit to walk into that “Stress Out” moment with truth, confidence, and authority.

Thanks for walking this journey with me, step by step, grace by grace. Let's go!

Blog 2

Stress, when left unchecked, doesn’t just stay in one corner of our lives. It spreads. It can take us to places we never intended to go: emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally. If we do not learn to manage stress, stress begins to manage us.

Emotionally, stress can lead to irritability, anxiety, and even hopelessness. What began as a minor concern can soon feel like an overwhelming burden. We may become short-tempered with our children, distant from our spouses, or withdrawn from our friends. Our joy fades, our laughter becomes rare, and our patience thins.

Physically, chronic stress weakens the body. Fatigue sets in. Headaches, sleepless nights, and even illnesses may arise. The body keeps the score when we don’t rest, it protests.

Relationally, stress can build walls. Conversations become arguments. Teamwork turns to tension. A colleague’s question may feel like a criticism, and genuine concern from a loved one may sound like nagging. Stress distorts perception and often breaks connection.

Spiritually, perhaps most dangerously, stress can lead to a sense of isolation from God. We begin to feel that our prayers are hitting a ceiling, that God is silent or distant. But the truth is, He is not. In fact, He is closer than we know, offering peace, wisdom, and restoration.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 34:18

Where does stress take us? To the edge, sometimes. But with God, we don’t fall—we find a new footing. And that leads us to the next step: what we can do about it.

Rev. Dr. Natasha Francis-Campbell