HEARTS, STRESS AND HEALTH (1)

“And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” – 1 Kings 19:4b                   

Elijah’s burnout experience highlights the links between the HEART, STRESS, and HEALTH: “And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1Kgs.19:4b). Shortly after the Victory over the prophets of Baal, at Jezebel’s threat, the great prophet suddenly fell into a fatigue- and fear-driven, stress-reinforced depression, with suicidal traits (vv.1-2). Excessive stress can cause or aggravate depression, diseases and ill-health, as well as the speed of recovery from these. The Heart, being the core of our being, can be either a cause and contributor to or an antidote against Stress and Ill-health. Stress has been linked to six of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the live, and suicide, and a variety of other health disorders. Even though stress starts in the heart and mind, it ends up devastating the body systems.

Stress has been defined as the body’s nonspecific response to any demand made upon it, which are called “stressors.” INTERNAL stressors include: physiological factors (nutritional imbalance, pain, chronic or acute infections); developmental stressors or growth challenges, like midlife and menopausal challenges; and mental factors (anxiety, bitterness, depression, fear, hatred, or un-forgiveness). EXTERNAL stressors include: physical and environmental factors (trauma, pollution, or natural disasters); situational stressors arising from circumstances in and around one’s life (relational problems, loss of a loved one, or higher responsibilities with promotion at work. Stress can also be due to spiritual factors, such as satanic siege, demonic attack, or witchcraft operations, the like of which Elijah experienced.

Some have distinguished between DISTRESS (bad stress) and EUSTRESS (good stress), but the word “stress” often refers to a situation in which the demand placed on an individual is perceived as too much, thereby disorganising the individual’s life and body chemistry, or causing ill health. There is an optimum amount of stress that is required for peak performance. Good stress enhances performance, while bad stress does otherwise. Good stress helps one to prepare to face challenges or achieve set goals, provides the energy to take action when needed, and keeps one alert to avoid danger. In contrast, negative stress can disturb the body’s internal equilibrium, cause exhaustion, and lead to or aggravate ill-health if allowed to be prolonged without relief.

The impact of stress could be mental, emotional, and physical. Anxiety, for instance – a by-product of stress – can take its toll on the body by causing insomnia – trouble falling or staying asleep, disorientation, and loss of appetite. Stress lowers the immune system, making one prone to infections; and reduces the ability to recover. Stress can become even more harmful when responded to wrongly: denying the reality of the problem, blaming others, increased caffeine intake, overeating or undereating, smoking, or addiction to drug remedies.

Elijah’s experience with burnout stress and how God came to his rescue, offers us useful lessons. God’s five simple remedies were:            

Supernatural touch for renewal: Elijah was first touched by an angel twice and later encountered God Himself one-on-One (vv. 5, 7, 13).

Nutritional Therapy: God sent His angel to bring food to nourish Elijah’s famished body (vv.5-8). Fasting is desirable and profitable, but it is not the most appropriate remedy for an already stressed-out body.

Sleep Therapy: God made Elijah sleep well in order to be refreshed and rejuvenated (v.5).

Word Therapy: God spoke to Elijah to revive his Heart (v.9). His Word has a way of bringing restoration and renewal to stressed hearts and lives: “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psa.107:20). David prayed: “This is my comfort in my affliction, for YOUR WORD has given me LIFE” (Psa.119:50).

Delegation: God instructed Elijah to assign some of his schedules to others (vv.15-16). This is similar to what Moses’ father-in-law prescribed for him when he, too, was experiencing tress and burnout (Exo.18:13-26).

Essentially, God strengthened Elijah’s HEART with Grace to overcome STRESS and enjoy Restored HEALTH to maximize Life’s Race.