Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Many Of Life’s Pressures Are Irrelevant

Stress is a vicious culprit.

Its effects can be incapacitating, even to the point of fatality. Every living being, mammal and plant life alike, is susceptible to stress, though some are more prone than others. On the human side, denial can come into the picture, as certain ones
will deny under all circumstances that any situation could put them into such a   predicament.


The most obvious signs of stress in vegetation come when there is not enough or overabundant moisture, or when predators like insects, disease and animals intrude on well-being. Such strain can heavily deteriorate production to the point of demise.

Many animals suffer setbacks from stress. Although we’ve seen it under a variety of situations, problems of nervous tension became most apparent to us when we were training race horses for the track. Certain individuals would absolutely wear themselves out prancing and pawing in anticipation before the race ever began.

Likewise, we have had several patterned-race horses, those in barrel races and the like, who would have so much anxiety in anticipation of the run, that they’d become unmanageable to the point of rearing, running off or refusing to go into the arena.

Birthing is stressful on all animals, but it can be drastically enhanced by environmental conditions. We’ve become acutely aware of that this year with the extended inclement weather. Blizzard conditions for such a long time, followed by cold, very wet, muddy surroundings have taken their toll on more brood cows than   normal.

Typically sound, highly maternal individuals have had abnormal swellings in their body, overly expanded mammary development and calving difficulty not experienced when nature’s extremes have not been so drawn out.

Our forefathers probably didn’t really ever know or at least think about stress. What had to be done had to be done. Today’s generation is said to be the most stressed ever, although it obviously has more conveniences and luxuries than time has ever  known.

There are so many pressures of “keeping up with the Joneses,” meeting demands of employment, raising a family in a troubled society and figuring out how to make ends meet. Today’s anxieties have filled psychiatrist offices, overcrowded mental  institutions and brought an ever-increasing number of cancer, heart and stress-related deaths.

While there is no easy solution, somebody said, “The stress you feel often comes from fighting those ‘no chance of winning’ battles where the outcome is practically   irrelevant anyway.” Perhaps, that’s correct.

Thus, we must remember First Thessalonians 3:7: “In spite of all our stress and crushing difficulties, we have been filled with comfort and cheer for our faith by leaning on God in complete trust and confidence.” Yet, we can’t forget Second Timothy 3:1: “In the last days will come perilous times of great stress and trouble.”

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