Fighting Stress

Ten years ago, I was heading into one of the biggest life-changing times I have ever had. In the Winter of 1999, I was student-teaching at Holland Woods Middle School in Port Huron, holding down a job at Family Christian Stores, had been attending my new church after an abrupt change in the Fall of 1998, and getting ready to be married. Needless to say, it was extremely stressful. During the Winter of 1999, I became acquainted with something very, very scary and uncomfortable...panic attacks and an anxiety disorder. My blood pressure sky-rocketed, I was having dizzy spells, and I could not sleep at night.
The ten years since have seen minor returns to anxiety until just this week. Almost a decade later, four kids later, nearly married ten years, and on my tenth year of teaching high school, I feel the closest to what I felt ten years ago. It's like I'm not fully awake, been feeling a little dizzy, feeling very tired, and my blood pressure (despite losing nearly 25 pounds) is once again skyrocketing.
This is exam week and I am buried in grading. I think that is playing a big part in this onslaught of stress. Also, Winter is always a hard time financially. I just read an article on hypertension, yoga, and stress. While not a "true believer" in yoga, I do agree that my body is very much in a "fight or flight" syndrome. I have been very short with my kids and wife. I have felt overwhelmed.
So I find myself journaling, which is one way I know that I can deal with the stresses I have. I do have a great deal of work ahead of me. I am currently directing a play, LEAVING IOWA, and my daughter, Scout, is involved with JUNGLE BOOK JR. I am involved with my church. Winter is tough with huge electric and gas bills. Papers are piled high for grading today and tomorrow. I just feel very, very stressed and tired and whipped. I'm going to start working on tackling the stress that I've been feeling.
If you read this blog, pray for me. I pray right now that the stress that I'm feeling, God, you will take away. Please stabilize my blood pressure and bring a calm to my heart. Forgive me for the sins and attitude and pride that have separated me from your peace.