Stress as a Positive Learning Tool

Stress as a Positive Learning Tool

Excerpt from Chapter Six of Julia’s book, Life-Giving Leadership: A Woman’s Toolbox for Living

     Stress can be a positive, valuable learning tool. Living in Florida, the construction of the houses is different compared to other regions of the country. Homes in Florida are built to withstand hurricanes. Having built our home, I was amazed by the building process. Cinder blocks provide the external framework while steel rods are strategically placed in the cinder blocks and cemented to provide a structure that can endure hurricane force winds. What most fascinated me; however, is the way the roofs are constructed. Stacks of clay tiles are strategically placed along the roof and left to sit for several days. The purpose of stacking the tiles is so the foundation and framework acclimate to the weight of the heavy clay tiles. Once this process is complete and enough time has passed for the house to handle the extra weight, the clay tiles are laid accordingly and the roof is completed.

     I believe the clay tiles are analogous to stress. Just like the foundation of the house needed to be strengthened in order to withstand the weight of the clay tiles, we need a certain amount of stress to help us gain emotional, physical and spiritual strength. For example, my daughter takes several advanced placement classes in high school. She is learning that if she doesn’t get enough sleep and maintain a reasonable and consistent study routine she will not adequately meet the homework requirements necessary to pass. The stress of the work load is teaching her the importance of managing her time.

     My husband and I often coach church planters, and at one such meeting, the lead pastor of a new church plant was sharing with us the struggles he was experiencing with one of his team members. One of his key leaders decided the emotional and financial stress of church planting was too great and resigned. Understandably, this pastor was devastated. We consoled him but we also shared with him the importance of learning to carry the weight of the church. Just like the foundation of the house had to be strong enough for the weight of the clay tiles, this pastor had to learn how to carry the weight of leadership and manage the stress inherent with it. He had to learn to be comfortable with a certain amount of tension. Pressure and stress is inherent with leadership. It is our ability to manage stress that determines if our emotional, physical and spiritual foundation will withstand life’s stressors.