The Effects of Stress on the Body.
A state resulting from a stress; especially: one of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium job-related stress, many others types of stress – basically it takes you out of peace into fear. Stress is worry and anxiety over a person, situation or thing for that day or for tomorrow. It is something that captures your thoughts. That is why we are looking at how stress affects health.
How Stress Effects the Body
The bible says stress is a spirit of fear. The Lord knew we would all be dealing with stress and 365 times in the bible it says “Fear Not”. Why because fear does not come from God. It comes from the kingdom of Darkness. The devil knows if he can get you in fear, he can shut you down.
When a person is in stress or fear for long periods of time a significant number of people also suffer with anxiety, depression, insomnia, alcohol and drug abuse.
Long-term stress is dangerous to your health. In fact, stress has effects on brain areas that play a critical role in learning and memory like foggy brain syndrome. This affects the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Learn also how stress affects immune system.
Cortisol Effects on Immune System
When a person is in stress for long periods of time, a stress hormone, such as cortisol and norepinephrine, releases in the body. Cortisol is known as a death hormone. It affects the heart, causes high blood pressure and creates disease such as diabetes.
A person who has suffered from long-term traumatic events such as living with a family member who explodes all the time and you never know when or what will set this person off.
Stress and the Immune System Cortisol
Learn the effect prolonged stress immune system. When under stress, your body releases in the brain and throughout the body Norepinephrine and cortisol. Norepinephrine sharpens the sense, raise the level of fear, increases heart rate and blood pressure – fight or flight. The norepinephrine is similar to a fire alarm that alerts all areas of the brain simultaneously.
Cortisol aids in survival by redistributing energy when an individual is under attack such as a snake crossing your path. It also increases heart rate and blood pressure, but shunting energy to the brain and muscles to speed up thought processes and fight or flee. After the episode, the chemical shuts off.
When a person grew up in fight or flight, their bodies continue to release cortisol into the body. Chronic high cortisol levels cause gastric ulcers, thinning of the bones and possibly brain damage and many different types of diseases so stress affects immune system.
Traumatic events can result in brain damage and impaired memory problems because of the damage in the Hippocampus part of the brain.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome
Not only is the brain the health of a person affected. When cortisol is high continually, a person’s moods affected, leading to depressing and feelings of fatigue. Stress also impairs the immune system (allergies, environmental issues because of too much , which can lead to an increase in infections and possibly increased rates of cancer. Many people with MCS/EI have high levels of cortisol in their bodies as a result of a broken heart. Someone important broke their heart when they were youth through either emotional abuse, physical abuse or sexual abuse. Elevations in cortisol lead to increased deposition of intra-abdominal fat; this type of fat always associated with a higher mortality than obesity in general.
How Stress Affects the Cardiovascular System
Over all, stress also has effects on the cardiovascular system, which increase the risk for heart disease. Cortisol adversely affects atherosclerosis, and elevations in norepinephrine may have direct effects on heart rhythms, leading to sudden death. Patients with depression (related to stress) and heart disease are about five times more likely to have sudden death without depression.
What do we do with stress, fears and anxiety?
First, you must realize fear is a spirit from the kingdom of darkness. It is the opposite of faith in God but the opposite of not trusting God or the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV).
1 Peter 5:7
Meditation on the Word of God
The Bible is filled with incredible promises from God. Meditating on these words of assurance can dispel our worry, doubt, fear and stress. Here are just a few examples of the Bible’s stress relieving verses:2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.(NIV)
Matthew 11:28-30
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”(NLT)
John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”(NLT)
It is building trust in God and trusting God in all of our circumstances in life. 1 Peter 5:7 says “cast our cares to Him because he cares for me.”
As Christians we need to learn to cast our cares to Him and allow Him to carry our burdens. There is nothing else you can do but trust Him. God always works it out for us. That means “Let Go and Let God”.
Spiritual Warfare Prayer: Setting Captives Free from Disease
by Traci Morin, Touch of God International Ministries
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