Many people have heard of culture shock, but what about culture stress? Culture stress is part of an adjustment process that continues past the initial culture shock as a person accepts his or her new environment, adopts new ways of thinking and doing things, and begins to feel a sense of belonging. This can take years, and some missionaries never complete it.

The symptoms of culture stress are similar to those produced by any other stress: anxiety, confusion, insecurity, helplessness, fatigue, lack of motivation, illness, fear, disappointment, anger, etc. Missionaries experiencing culture stress may feel inadequate, homesick, or even hostile towards their host culture.

So what can be done about culture stress? While it is unavoidable, it can be managed. Check out the following approach we have learned from Ron and Bonnie Koteskey at Missionary Care and teach in our Missionary Training School classroom.

Recognize that culture stress is normal for those trying to embrace a host culture and cannot be prevented. Identify what factors cause you the most stress.

Admit the validity of the host culture. Different is not always wrong. Accept that adapting to this culture is a means of bringing Christ to the people who live in it.

Do not cut off yourself from everyone in your home culture. Talk to those whom with you can relax and be yourself.

Schedule daily, weekly, and annual respites. Observe the Sabbath. Make time to read, listen to music, be outside, worship, etc.

Be confident in who you are as well as what you will allow to be changed about you. Acculturation involves changes in your personality, so make sure to determine what is unchangeable.

Stress produces the fight or flight response, but as a missionary you probably can’t do either. Find a physical activity like sports, exercise, or games to use that energy.

Build a relationship with a national family for fun and enjoyment, not with the sole focus to learn or evangelize. Find out how to have fun in that culture by doing life with others.

Remember to be patient and have grace for yourself and others. Not everyone can become at home in two cultures and the process looks different for each individual.

As Christians, we can approach culture stress with faith and hope. We have an amazing God who walks alongside us in the good and the bad, in the excitement of a experiencing a new culture and the stress. He is the source of true comfort, joy, peace, and strength. In the midst of all the change, we can be certain of who He is, who we are in Him, and what He has called us to.