Stress

I've been back in this line of work for five months. Work is a strange word for it. We are called to a vocation, we are in service - and ordained to preach and baptise and break bread (Holy Communion in our tradition). I left a very rewarding but highly stressful job to come here.
Naively I thought I could leave stress behind. I was wrong. It's a funny old life. Without any stress we would get nothing done. No expectations - and no results. They say we need good stress. Like deadlines, assignment dates, exams, and goals. Good stress. I was told that going back "into the church" would bring enough pressure to bear that I would be driven to my knees. People stress!
It seems to me (not that I have great expertise here) that we should be on our knees anyway. And I am sure that people in war zones or attacked daily by the shakings of earthquakes or other threats have much more stress than we could imagine - and are more prayerful as well. I am sure that God by his grace gives them strength to cope.
I like the Bible's prayers because they are more honest than many of ours. The beauty of these prayers is not just in their poetry or wisdom, but in the way in which the writers spit it out. They are quite direct with God as they wrestle with their enemies, their doubts and their impatience. It's quite refreshing.
So how will I deal with my stress? The good old "balanced life" philosophy demands exercise and rest, proper diet and boundaries around my work - so that I can manage to juggle the balls and spin the plates.
God's way seems to be to rest in Him. Wait on Him. Depend on Him. Cuddle up to him, sheltered by the shadow of his wings, as one old song goes. I think that I should be a little child again - happy to ask Him and trust Him fully.
That sounds more restful than stressful to me. I think the three year sleep sounds quite attractive after all. (That story for another day!)