I chose to end the stress series by addressing the physical effects it can have on us. You would think that these effects would be obvious, but all too often they are written off as other things. Indeed, since one of the ways that stress shows itself physically is to lower our immune system’s defenses to the point where we even find ourselves ill with a cold or the flu (etc.), we don’t immediately chalk it up to stress!
HIstorically, I have also been prone to headaches and muscle aches (clenching my jaw is my problem, other people experience problems with different muscle groups) among other things. There are even more physical symptoms though that many others experience: backache, weight gain or loss (eating or not eating is a common reaction to stress), irritable bowel (yup, I was known for this one too when I was younger especially!), nausea, dizziness, hives or eczema, not sleeping (insomnia), fast heartrate (often triggering panic attacks).
Again, these things are often all too easy to overlook. I almost wonder how many times I have had to go to the doctor for one problem or another that could very well have been stress induced. Don’t get me wrong! I have a wonderful MD and I do recommend that anyone with serious physical symptoms be seen and treated by one, but I also have THE Physician readily available to me. If I go to Him, he can help me find and deal with the non-physical issues in my life that are contributing to or causing the physical ones.
I particularly enjoy Malachi 4:2 “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” Getting to the bottom of the stress in our lives can take faith, prayer and diligence, but getting to a place where we can find balance, hope and peace is such a wonderful reward!
I think that 2 Timothy 1:7 truly is the best verse to wrap up this entire subject:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
