Radical Relaxation: Your 5-Day Stress Release PlanSample

Signs & Symptoms of Stress

Anyone who enters an operating room after a surgery has begun usually does so very quietly so they don’t disturb the operation. If done with precision, the surgery continues on seemingly uninterrupted, and it can be hours before the surgeon or other team members notice their presence.

Stress can enter our lives in the same way. It doesn’t always announce itself loudly. It can be stealthy, subtle, settling in gradually and showing up as headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, irritability, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and even physical illness. Because our minds, bodies, and spirits are deeply interconnected, stress takes its toll everywhere. What begins as a small concern can compound over time, creating cycles of exhaustion and overwhelm. Sometimes, we get so used to operating in a stressed state that we don’t even recognize it anymore and mistake the tension for normalcy.

It’s important to remember that stress, big or small, is an indicator that something in our lives needs to shift. Thankfully, Jesus offers us peace, not the temporary, surface-level peace that the world gives, but a deep, abiding peace that withstands life’s storms, a supernatural gift that allows us to remain steady, even when life feels chaotic. His peace is not dependent on circumstances because it’s rooted in His unchanging presence.

We must become intentional about recognizing stress and choosing to embrace His peace instead. Stress is not just a sign to push through; it’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the Prince of Peace. "Stressed" is not your identity, so let today be the day you choose to relax.

Reflection: What stress symptoms have you been ignoring? How can you invite Jesus’ peace into those areas?

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to recognize the ways stress is affecting my mind, body, and spirit. I receive your peace today. Help me to surrender my anxious thoughts and replace them with trust in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.