Good Stress That Changes Us: Eustress in Vox Divini Meditation, TAPPING, and Spiritual Fencing

In our busy world, distress or the bad stress wears us out and hurts our health. But there is a good kind called eustress. A doctor named Hans Selye first used this word in the 1900s. Eustress is the happy, exciting feeling from hard but important tasks. It gives us energy, helps us think clearly, and pushes us to grow. Think of the thrill before a big talk, the drive to train for a race, or the pull of a big dream.

Eustress works on our body in a safe way. It wakes up our fight-or-flight system just enough, sending out hormones like adrenaline and cortisol at the right levels. This keeps us alert without burning us out. Studies from groups like the American Psychological Association show that eustress builds drive, strength, and better results. It turns hard moments into chances to win.

“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (Jas 1:2-3)

Why Eustress Pushes Us Forward

Eustress acts like an inside spark. It makes a healthy unease – a “God-given pull” – that gently moves us toward our best self. No force, no shame, just a steady nudge from the heart. When we feel it, our brain lights up with reward signals. This makes us want to keep closing the gap between who we are now and who we dream to be. Over time, this pull becomes a habit that turns big ideas into real life.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14)

This idea works beautifully in three faith habits: Vox Divini Meditation, Tapping, and Spiritual Fencing. Eustress becomes the link between what we plan and what we do, helping us live more like Jesus.

Vox Divini Meditation: Growing a Jesus-Like Heart

Vox Divini means “Voice of God.” It is a quiet time to copy Jesus. We start by naming His ways:

Kindness when others hurt
Forgiveness when wronged
Humble service
Brave stand for what is right

In prayer, we say with all our heart:
“Lord, I too want to be like You.”

This is not just words. It is picturing ourselves living His ways – showing mercy to a tough coworker, speaking truth with love, giving up comfort to help someone. We write it down or say it out loud to plant this Jesus-picture deep inside.

St. Teresa of Ávila: “Let nothing disturb you… All things pass… God alone suffices.”

Real change comes later, in everyday moments. When life gives a chance to act like Jesus – maybe to forgive a hurt – we feel a soft but strong eustress. It is a holy pull that whispers, “Now is your time to live what you pictured.”

We may not get it perfect. Old ways are hard to break. But if we skip the chance, eustress stays as a gentle ache – not heavy guilt, but a loving reminder from our earlier promise.

People who do Vox Divini for at least two months feel this change clearly. Without the habit, the moment slips by on autopilot. With it, eustress wakes up our heart and choice.

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” (Heb 12:1-2)

Eustress here is powerful because it starts inside us and lines up with the Holy Spirit. It turns Bible truths into a built-in guide. The more we practice, the stronger the pull grows – not as pressure, but as a kind invitation. This matches how our mind works: when what we do does not match the Jesus-picture we hold, eustress pushes us to line up again. Over time, this shapes steady goodness, not just now-and-then wins. We become more like Him.

Tapping: Chatting with Jesus Like a Close Friend

Tapping is simple heart-to-heart conversation with Jesus – like chatting with your best friend. Its usually done at the the end of the day or before sleep.

The last two steps of TAPPING are particularly important here.

New Life – We look at all what went wrong that day and discuss with Jesus ways to act differently the next day. This could be about waking up early, staying calm in traffic, or listening well to a friend. We explore possibilities with Jesus like friends planning together.
Good Action – From all we talked about, we pick one clear action to do tomorrow. We say, “Lord, tomorrow I will smile and greet my neighbour on my way to the office.”

As we discuss in New Life and decide on Good action we picture it happening: we see ourselves doing that one good action with joy. This friendly chat with Jesus imprints a better version of ourselves deep in our mind.

The next day, when the moment comes, we feel a warm push from within – eustress saying, “Do what we talked about!”

First tries may fail. We forget or slip back. But the more we tap and plan with Jesus, the stronger the inner push grows. The eustress turns small talks into real change – discipline in habits, love in relationships.

Spiritual Fencing: Daily Check-In for Lasting Eustress

Spiritual Fencing brings eustress into a clear daily plan. We pick 10 life areas to grow in – prayer, honesty, giving, patience, family love, and so on. We promise to keep them in mind all day.

Each night we look back:
Did I fill my thoughts with thanks today?
Did I answer anger with kindness?

We mark a simple chart – not to judge, but to see clearly.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” (2 Cor 13:5)

This habit uses eustress through on-purpose answer-time. Just knowing we will check at night builds a “fence” in our mind. It keeps us awake to our goals. All day we feel a forward pull: “I said this matters – how will I live it now?”

Eustress moves. It turns fuzzy wishes into steps we can count. Fall short? Night review brings that same God-given unease, firing us up to do better tomorrow. Steady practice builds speed. The chart turns into a mirror of growth. Eustress shifts from a tap on the shoulder to a natural heartbeat.

St. John of the Cross: “In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.”

A Final Word

In all these three– Vox Divini Meditation, TAPPING, and Spiritual Fencing – eustress shows its true power.

It never demands perfect; it invites you to join in. For new starters, it is a soft whisper. For long-time walkers, it is a full song of inner nudges.

What matters is not achieving perfection quickly but perseverance so that we keep growing. As St. Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.” This restlessness – our eustress – draws us onward until we are fully transformed by the renewing of our mind.