Last Sunday, our church preacher shared the story of when Jesus calmed the storm. A little story background: Jesus was with his disciples and they were traveling via boat. Physically exhausted from his ministry, Jesus fell sound asleep on the stern. Until a storm came and rampaged their voyage. Giant waves slammed against the boat. The disciples were too afraid because they thought it will be their last. So they tried to wake up Jesus from his sleep.

As soon as he woke up, he rebuked the wind and the waves! And immediately the sea calmed. Then he turned to his disciples and rebuked them for their lack of faith. His disciples marveled at him saying, "who's this guy? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

This story is a common Sunday school story. I even had a student who drew me a picture of this story when I asked her what does she remember from my lessons. When I was still teaching children's Bible lessons, I haven't had the chance to go on sea travel. But now that I am older, I know how traumatizing it is to get caught up in a storm - and in the middle of the sea, for that instance!

There's a lot to glean from this biblical narrative but I want to relate this story to the importance of being calm even in the midst of stressful situations. 

There are several reasons why being calm is commendable. 

It helps you think clearly

When we act on impulse, chances are we might end up doing things we will regret. Being calm helps you think through the possible courses of action to take and analyze corresponding outcomes. When your default mode is to follow your emotions without analyzing the situation first, you might miss out on the best plan of action available. 

Also, it is easy to get blinded by our situation. Sometimes, emotions cloud our rational thinking because we think we need to get away from our situation as soon as possible. A sudden shift in our environment triggers our fight-or-flight mode. But if we take the time to pause and think things through, we'll make better decisions.

It makes you healthier

When you develop the attitude of being calm even in the midst of stressful situations, you'll end up healthier. I have read that it helps reduce the chances of addiction and improves heart conditions by reducing the risks associated with it. 

Stress induces the body to produce a hormone called cortisol, so it follows that when you're constantly stressed, your body constantly produces cortisol. Too much cortisol in the body may lead to anxiety and depression, headache, heart disease, memory and concentration problems, digestion, sleeping, and weight problems, among others. It is also responsible for aging! So if you don't want to look older than your age, you should control your cortisol levels. And this can be done by trying to stay calm. 

Have it in balance

This doesn't mean we should not be quick to act especially when the situation calls to do so. I know of a person who is too calm that it makes her look passive and unbothered. I find her amusing because while most of us are nearly at the height of our emotions, she remains soft-spoken, unmoved, and just as I said - unbothered.

But when everyone else is no longer acting and thinking rationally because of the sudden shift in environment, calmness is precious! It will allow you to see the silver lining in the dark clouds. It will help you slow down while everyone is rushing to make their next wrong turn. 

Have it in balance. Be calm when others are panicky. Act when you've already analyzed your situation. You'll thank yourself for it. 

Sources:

https://vivna.net/9-reasons-why-its-healthy-to-stay-calm-in-stressful-situations/

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-cortisol