A life entirely without stress is inconceivable. A life overburdened by stress is unbearable. Stress may press us to creation or drive us to destruction. It may press us to acts of heroism or to acts of self-destruction. Excessive, sustained stress may ruin our health, both mental and physical, if we fail to respond to it in life-giving ways. What is stress, exactly, and what can we do to ensure a constructive response? Lex Crane, who was minister of the First Unitarian Church of Santa Barbara for sixteen years, has also served our congregation, and many others, as interim minister.