However, in the long run, they are often worth the stress. It might be helpful to differentiate between good stress and bad stress. Good stress is the type of stress that engages you and infuses you with energy. Good stress is what I feel as I make my way through several drafts of a paper or a sermon. It prods me to go deeper and to become more pertinent and meaningful, as well as more coherent.
Bad stress is often toxic.
It is the stress that does not take us anywhere positive. It is the stress that leads to depression, high blood pressure, addictive coping mechanisms, and ulcers. Good stress may turn into bad stress if we allow it to take over our lives, or, if we do not have any outlets. In other words, if stress constantly builds up, no matter how helpful it has been in the past, it can eventually lead to problems for us. Think of some of the young athletes or rock musicians who spend weeks or months either out on the road, or, in high-pressure situations.