Whether it is from work, school, peers, family, friends, enemies and anything else, not many people enjoy stress. It can burden, sicken or even kill you, and many do not know what to do with it. I had a real problem with stress in my early twenties until God taught me a lesson while flying a kite.

It happened in a field of my in-law's Garrett County dairy farm when my sons and I wanted to have a bit of fun. With no trees or utility lines, the field was an ideal place for kite flying - except for what we called "cow pies."

There was ample wind that day and our kites were up in no time, rising high. As usual during that time of my life I had many problems on my mind, but spending time with the boys was fun and relaxing.

As the kite I had soared high, for an experiment I decided to let go of the string for a short time. I noticed the kite went a bit higher at first, then plummeted toward the ground. When I grabbed the string, it soared back up.

Then God said, "See? As long as there was tension the kite flew. I want you to soar too."

From then on I have had a different outlook on stress. God wants us to use it as a tool.

Consider David. He had troubles, some of which he did not ask for and some that he did by sinning. Nonetheless, he wrote by the Holy Spirit in Psalm 18:48, "...yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man."

We can get the strength we need to "hold on" by fully trusting God through Christ. Psalm 62:7 -- "In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God." Never trust in your own strength or that of another.

While we hold on, we should not as why, but "What do you want me to learn from this, Lord?" If we listen, God will teach us, or re-enforce, valuable lessons. He will also improve our character, if we let Him: "...the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:3-5.

Very hard to do but very good for us is to praise God under stress. Yes, it goes against every bit of our natural being, but if we follow through it will strengthen us. It kills the old sinful nature and causes the resurrected life of Christ to rise in us.

There will always be some type of turbulence in our lives, but if we trust God, hold on, listen and obey, we can soar high above the world.