The world is all stressed out! But you can still have peace!

The American Psychological Association states that chronic stress is linked to six leading causes of death and disease: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. They also state that 75% of all doctor visits are stress related ailments and complaints. The American Medical Association has noted that stress is the basic cause of more than 60% of all human illness and disease. In this chaotic world, how can we not have stress?

What actually happens to our body when we are stressed? It defends itself, of course!Amazingly, God has created us with an entire defense system that turns on as soon as we become stressed. Esther Sternberg, physician and author of several books on stress and healing, explains how it works.

Immediately, our heart rate speeds up and diverts blood away from our guts and to our muscles so we can run away. The pupils of our eyes constrict, so we can keenly focus on our attacker. The bronchii of our lungs increase blood oxygenation and convert energy stored in the liver into fuel for strength and stamina. She also states that if we are stressed for too long, our body starts to release stress hormones and nerve chemicals that we do not want floating around in our body. It is these stress hormones that are so dangerous to our overall health. That is why it’s important to our health to chill out as soon as possible. Perhaps God designed our bodies with that in mind: that we might trust in Him for help.

God’s remedy for stress:

Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Philippians 4;6-7

Next time you feel stress coming on, give yourself a “Halleluyah Moment!” Drop and give yourself 10 long and deep breaths while meditating on the above verse of Scripture and just breathe… let God take care of it all. Let, “Peace be with you!”

Halleluyah!