I received an interesting post card the other day. It was an ad for a local service that offers to put your trash cans out at the road, and then put them back the day after your trash pick-up. It’s kind of amazing to me all the things you can pay people to do to simplify your life.
For the proper fee you can get someone to mow and fertilize your lawn, trim your hedge, walk your dog, clean your house, do your grocery shopping and bring it to your front door, pay your bills and now take out your trash. You can even have someone come to your home and give your dog a bath and clean up its poop from the backyard. Many folks don’t have to drive to work any more. They just earn their living on their home computers. Yes, life has never been easier.
Still stressed out
And yet, as a people, we have never been so stressed out.
According to a Gallup poll, 53% of all Americans say they have too much stress in their lives; 66% say money is the major source of their anxiety; 75% of U.S. adults are worried about crime and violence; 34%, more than one out of every three, said their stress is so severe that it completely overwhelms them on most days.
How can it be that the easier life gets, the more stressful it becomes? Clearly, peace is not connected to how much work you do.
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled’
Another survey, this one by the Pew Research Center, noted people who describe themselves as “religiously active” are far more likely to say they are “very happy” with their lives than those who aren’t spiritually active. This should not surprise Christians. The 14th chapter of John states, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
So go ahead. Have someone else give your dog a bath. Sit on the porch and sip a lemonade while somebody else mows your lawn. It’s okay, but it probably won’t reduce your stress level. Jesus can do that.
And He won’t even send you a bill.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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