HEARTS, STRESS AND HEALTH (2)

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their DISTRESSES” – Psalm 107:6 

God’s dealings with the people of Israel provide further Insight into the connections between HEARTS, STRESS, and HEALTH: ““Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their DISTRESSES” (Psa.107:6). Stress tends to hit when one is hungry, fatigued, sick, or outside one’s safe and familiar environment. When we've taken on too many responsibilities, when our basic needs are not being met, during times of pain and tragedy, when circumstances spin out of control, we feel threatened and stressed.                                               

Stress events are traumatic occurrences that affect people deeply, such as the death of a loved one, sickness, divorce, accident, job loss, financial loss, or natural disaster. Stress events could also be positive: A new job, birth of a new baby, planning a wedding, or the pressure of relocating. Stress events are usually one-off events, while stress environments are ongoing, such as: family relationships, job concerns, the neighbourhood, and local or national challenges – economic, social, or political. Given the diversity of stressors, stress events and environments, no single approach or formula can reduce or eradicate stress. Unfortunately, many people aggravate stress by responding wrongly: They fret, worry, get anxious, use alcohol and drugs, or indulge in other unhealthy habits that further worsen the situations.

Stress should be alien to Believers in Christ who are convinced that God is sovereign and in control of all lives. The dominance of Stress in such lives could therefore indicate a loss of the ability to trust in God. Regardless, stress will wear one down physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We need to be armed with How to deal with stress. Let’s examine briefly Five Healthy Ways to Deal with Stress as a Believer:

Identify the Problem: The fastest way to the solution is to admit one has a problem. This requires honest self-evaluation and humble confession: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” ( Psa.32:2).

Pause and Get Help: We are human, not ‘Super Christian’, and must stop beating ourselves up. Moreover, we live in a fallen world where problems are inevitable; hence, we need to turn to God and to His ministers for help. If the stress is due to inadequate rest, the solution is to take time to rest and restore the physical body; eat a proper diet, get regular exercise, start learning how to balance work, ministry, and family time; and find a support system of friends who have “been there” and understand the path. If one is sick or working through a loss or tragedy, there may be need to step back from normal responsibilities; take time and space to heal. Medical attention may be required in case of underlying hormonal or physiological triggers of stress.

Turn to God in Prayer: This is the spiritual side of regulating stress in life. When we're overwhelmed, more than ever, we need to turn to God, our ever-present Help in times of trouble (Psa.46:1). As we take everything to Him in prayer, our hearts and minds will be protected by an inexplicaable peace (Phi.4:6-7). He promises to give us peace beyond our ability to understand, and to create beauty from the ashes of our lives as we discover that hope comes from loss and joy springs from times of brokenness and suffering (Isa.61:1-4).

Meditate on the Word of God: The Bible is filled with incredible promises from God. Meditating on words of assurance and stress-relieving scrptures can dispel doubt, fear, worry, and stress. An example of stress-relieving scriptures: “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psa.4:8).

Practise Praise and Thankgiving: Praise will rarely coexist with Stress! It's almost impossible to be stressed and praise God at the same time. When we’re stressed is the time to start praising and thanking God. Praise and worship will take our minds off of ourselves and the problems, and refocus them on God. Suddenly the problems seem small in light of the largeness of God.