Today, as never before in the last half century, people are under pressure, serious pressure. Those in Generation Z (born 1995-2012) or even older generations before this one, and the current Alpha generation, feel stressed and squeezed. A once-in-a-century pandemic interrupted the education and social development of Zoomers for several years and our society is still not back to normal. Zoomers may not have jobs, and if they do, their jobs may not provide a living wage for them and their families. Many Americans of Generation Z are not in good health, afflicted by diseases they thought were not possible for people of their age cohort. Mental health issues such as depression run rampant (just over half of Zoomers report that they have a chronic illness) and girls near the tail end of this generation (ages 15-19) have a suicide rate higher than the previous three generations had. In fact, the suicide rate for all Americans has risen 40% since 2000. And one veteran commits suicide every hour around the clock.
Rising prices, financial challenges, economic uncertainty, finding affordable housing for rent or postponing their dream home, the perception of rising crime and the reality of school shootings all seem to form a perfect storm of despair. The nastiness of politics in the U.S. and the threat of global war abroad give them little cause to cheer as the new year approaches. Add to this the lack of intimacy and trust as Zoomers have problems developing and maintaining realtionships which are exacerbated by this stress. Taken together, Zoomers (and others) feel caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Like grapes in a wine press (see the feature photo above), someone turns the screw tighter and tighter and you are suddenly trapped in some medieval torture device while your lifeblood is squeezed out of you. You might cry out if you could only draw air into your lungs which are now painfully crushed.
For thousands of years, the Ancient World had wine presses or olive presses and the Greek term used to describe the squeezing of the fruit was θλίβω (thlíbō). A literal translation of this term into English is “tribulation,” but as you can see it has other applications as well. In this post, I’d like to share some of the variations.
In Matthew 24:21, Jesus notes in the last days there will be a tribulation “such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time . . .” The used for “tribulation” in this passage is thlíbō. It is commonly translated as “affliction” and “tribulation” when it appears in Scripture. Those days may very well be the times we now live in.
As noted above, the word used by the New Testament writers (thlíbō) to indicate affliction and/or tribulation is a word commonly used in Biblical days to describe the process by which juice was squeezed out of grapes in the process of making wine. In fact, thlíbō can refer to “pressure,” being “squashed,” or “hemmed in” as in the case of Mark 3:9 where Jesus was concerned that the crowd might “press upon him” as the word is translated in that particular passage. People at concerts and football matches today sometimes die from the crush of the crowd that panics when there is danger. In other cases, the word may mean “rub” or “chaff.” Thlíbō also has a medical application when used to describe the pressure of a pulse and finally it can also be used to describe a “kiss.”
The image of the word used in ancient writings by Greek and Roman authors such as Homer and Plutarch is that of being “embattled,” “surrounded,” or “squeezed.” Trench speaks of the punishments used in early Britain when someone accused of a crime would have heavy stones placed on his chest until he suffocated. In latter times in Europe, special chambers were used where a confined person of normal size could neither stand, lie down, nor properly sit. Both examples suggest alternative meanings of thlíbō, although the second example draws from a synonym in Greek known as στενοχωρία (stenochōria–used only four times in the New Testament and three of those times in the same verse as thlíbō.) In fact, the first few letters of this synonym “stenochōria” also have a medical application (e.g., “stenosis,” which refers to a narrowing of an artery or other condition, such as pyloric stenosis, a problem affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract of some infants in which food cannot pass.) If stenochōria is present in your cardiac arteries, you feel a pressure or squeezing in your chest when you suffer a stressful incident.
The exact meaning of the word thlíbō in any given passage of Scripture depends on other factors including grammar, the context of what the writer is saying, and the presence of modifying words within the verse.
Today, Christians and others living on fixed or meager incomes and facing rising medical costs, who are paying more for fuel, and just trying to not run out of money before the next payday (if they even have a job) can appreciate the “squeezing” or “pressure” implied by thlíbō. Our culture, with it’s ungodly values, is evident whenever we turn on social or streaming media, and we should not be surprised to find ourselves alienated. It happens to me and I’ve been a Christian for more than fifty-five years. alienation occurs when there a few resources when which we can identify and draw support.
Deena, my wife and I were talking about stress just the other day. You can have several discrete events going on such as a sick pet, a car that needs repair and company coming to visit. But the stress is much more than the sum of its parts, because after the pet recovers her health, and the car is repaired and the company leaves, the stress related hormones in your body such as glucocorticoids, catecholamines, and prolactin still remain elevated. So, there is a background effect to a stressful environment that remain long after the invididual stressor are gone.
The best advice I can offer beyond the tips below is to moderate your screen time in social media, eat healthy and exercise. If you are so inclined, cultivate a healthy, Spirit-filled life with our heavenly Father. If you are able to walk in the Spirit as John admonishes us in his first letter (epistle), then come-what-may, you will at least very likely have the necessary insight, assurance and ego resources to deal with your circumstances. but you must mitigate your stress levels. Stress can weaken your immune system and increase your body’s inflammatory response, causing heart problems. Anxiety, tension, headaches insomnia and other issues accompany stress and tend to pull you down as well. If the stress continues over time, your risk of high blood pressure, cancer and stroke climb as well.
The American Psychological Association (APA) has some stress related tips:
Identify what’s causing stress. Monitor your state of mind throughout the day. If you feel stressed, write down the cause, your thoughts, and your mood. Once you know what’s bothering you, develop a plan for addressing it. That might mean setting more reasonable expectations for yourself and others or asking for help with household responsibilities, job assignments, or other tasks. List all your commitments, assess your priorities, and then eliminate any tasks that are not absolutely essential.
Build strong relationships. Relationships can be a source of stress. Research has found that negative, hostile reactions with your spouse cause immediate changes in stress-sensitive hormones, for example. But relationships can also serve as stress buffers. Reach out to family members or close friends and let them know you’re having a tough time. They may be able to offer practical assistance and support, useful ideas, or just a fresh perspective as you begin to tackle whatever’s causing your stress.
Walk away when you’re angry. Before you react, take time to regroup by counting to 10. Then reconsider. Walking or other physical activities can also help you work off steam. Plus, exercise increases the production of endorphins, your body’s natural mood booster. Commit to a daily walk or other form of exercise—a small step that can make a big difference in reducing stress levels.
Rest your mind. To help ensure you get the recommended seven or eight hours of shut-eye, cut back on caffeine, remove distractions such as television or computers from your bedroom, and go to bed at the same time each night. Research shows that activities like yoga and relaxation exercises not only help reduce stress, but also boost immune functioning.
Get help. If you continue to feel overwhelmed, consult with a psychologist or other licensed mental health professional who can help you learn how to manage stress effectively. They can help you identify situations or behaviors that contribute to your chronic stress and then develop an action plan for changing them.
David says in Psalm 46:1 that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He’ll come to bat for you. Isaiah says in 40:11 that God “tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” You can be part of the flock.
In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Jesus is speaking about the door to our hearts. Even as you read this He is knocking softly. If you respond and invite Him into your life, He’ll get you back on your feet and welcome you into God’s forever family.