Senwes Scenario April / May 2016 | Page 34

••• T RADE N E W S AUBREY KRUGER When pressure becomes too much... THE WORST DROUGHT THE PAST CENTURY RESULTED IN RENEWED EMPHASIS ON THE EXTENT OF PRESSURE EXPERIENCED BY PRO­ DUCERS. HOW MUCH DO WE REALLY KNOW? SENWES SCENARIO ATTEMPTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SITUATION AND TALKED TO CAREL BOTMA, A MINISTER AND COUN­ SELLOR IN BOTHAVILLE, WHO UNDERSTANDS THIS KIND OF PRES­ SURE. STRESSORS EXPERIENCED BY PRODUCERS Botma identified 14 stressors experienced by producers. Stress can be categorised in two groups, namely controllable and uncon- 32 trollable stressors. The uncontrollable stressors are aspects such as climate. Botma also found that uncontrollable stress factors have much more of an impact on people than controllable stress factors. RESULTS Pressure should not be taken lightly, Botma warns. Farmers are being weighed down with frustrating powerlessness, which can become chronic and impact negatively on their lives. HOW DO PRODUCERS DEAL WITH IT? There are constructive and destructive mechanisms by means of which stress can be dealt with. The most important constructive mechanism of producers is spirituality - having a personal relationship with God, which results in religion officially becoming a part of their lives. WHY FAITH? Faith brings meaning, structure and expectations for the future. However, it could be problematic on a totally different level. In addition to the current crisis being experienced by producers, it could escalate in intensity to a faith crisis, where they ask questions as to why it doesn't rain, Apr/May 2016 • SENWES Scenario despite their desperate prayers for rain. WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION? Botma admits that he doesn't know the answer. However, one should not attribute the drought to punishment for our sins. We are allowed to feel the way we do and the question remains valid. We struggle with the same problems in our faith which Jacob struggled with. Struggle often brings acceptance and resignation. God provides what I need to weather the storm - an answer to our prayers on a different level. SO WHAT COULD THE PROBLEM BE? “When we pray, do we not decide how and when the crisis should be solved? We already see the 100mm of rain we asked for and that is all we have eyes for". It is important to always see the bigger picture. The latest crisis is always the biggest crisis and we often forget about old crises which God helped us to overcome. What do we learn in times like this? Do we not perhaps confuse or daily bread with daily cake? As soon as the icing comes off, we panic. Is God's silence