Daily Reflection
February 7, 2026

A few days ago, I was preparing to give a lecture to a group of students at the university. The primary topic of the lecture was stress. I have studied and taught about stress as a main focus of my work at the university for many years. But something seemed a bit different as I was preparing for this particular lecture. As I was reviewing the recent literature and research on stress, I noticed that the way scholars are now writing about stress is different. In the past they seemed to spend a lot of time on prevalence statistics. They carefully track the percentage of Americans who experience stress on a daily basis and break this down into subgroups so we can better understand how many people experience stress. But now this type of reporting seems to have shifted from reporting overall prevalence statistics to reporting source statistics. In fact, one major publication didn’t even bother to report overall prevalence of stress in American society in their most recent report. To me, this and other examples, seem to indicate that stress has become a “taken for granted” part of our daily lives. It is here to stay as part of our everyday way of living.

As I read Mark’s gospel reading today, I pictured myself observing the Apostles as they came to Jesus “report[ing] all they had done and taught.” They were clearly stressed! (and maybe Jesus was too) How can we read this passage and not think to ourselves, “I totally get what you are feeling!” we might be saying. I don’t think I know a single person who doesn’t feel stressed and overwhelmed by daily life most of the time. We see it on television when watching the news, we read about it in the newspapers, and we feel it in the voices of our friends, family, and colleagues in our conversations. No wonder scholars now write about stress as a “normal” part of everyday life.

But what stays with me most from the reading today is the response Jesus gave to the Apostles. He said, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” He didn’t tell them to get back to work. He didn’t tell them there is too much to do. And he didn’t tell them to stop thinking about themselves. Jesus recognized that the Apostles were stressed and needed a break to care for themselves. And the beauty of what he says is in the words he chose – “to a deserted place.” How wonderful! What Jesus clearly taught his Apostle about dealing with stress is probably something we should pay attention to, as well. In our over stimulated, constantly connected to electronic media-type world, Jesus teaches us to disengage from all the noise and retreat to place where none of the distractions exist. It reminds me of Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We don’t need fancy equipment and expensive technology. We just need to be still.

There is one more piece to this Gospel reading that I also found strikingly wonderful. The final sentence tells us that even though Jesus and the Apostles retreated from the crowds

and stress, they/it followed them. They “disembarked and saw the vast crowd.” This is so relatable. Sometimes we are only able to retreat for a short time, but the stressors still exist – almost like they follow us wherever we go. But “his [Jesus] heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” Through the grace of God, their compassion, strength, and motivation were renewed. God did not abandon them. God provided them with what they needed to feel renewed and to keep doing the good work. What wonderful comfort that gives us today.

Yes, stress is probably here to stay. But retreating to our own “deserted place” is good, permitted, and advised by Jesus himself. And even when we cannot get away for long enough, God will there providing what we need to keep up the good work.