Feb
09
2010
Another article appearing in the Wall Street Journal this week is worth passing along. The author, Ron Winslow, writes that “Broken Heart Syndrome is typically triggered by acute emotion or physical trauma that releases a surge of adrenaline that overwhelms the heart. The effect is to freeze much of the left ventricle, the heart’s main pumping chamber, disrupting its ability to contract and effectively pump blood.”
“The phenomenon is a “concussion” of the heart, says Scott Sharkey, a cardiologist at Minneapolis Heart Institute. “It’s really a heart attack which is triggered by stress rather than by a blocked artery,” he says.
Triggers for broken-heart syndrome seem as varied as the number of people affected. While death of a spouse or other close family member or friend is a common cause, breakups such as a divorce or separation have also sparked the event, according to a study of 136 patients by Dr. Sharkey and his colleagues published Jan. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
For others, being overwhelmed by new software at work, seeing a poultry barn burn down, or losing money at a casino all have brought the condition on, doctors say.”
Read the entire article.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23
Aug
17
2009
“Honestly, what’s happened here is our Army is under stress,” says Lt. General Rick Lynch, Commander of Fort Hood. “So anything you can do to reduce stress is going to help prevent suicides. That is my fundamental theme.”
These were recent comments made by the general as he talked about initiatives undertaken at the Army installation in Texas. You can read the article – Army General Wages War Against Stress in the San Antonio Express News. The article will give you a good sensing of the types of initiatives that one post is taking to combat the suicide problem our Army is having.
The skyrocketing number of suicides over the past few years has sparked a search for answers on how to reduce these rates. For this reason, the Army has also established a suicide task force and launched a joint five-year study with the National Institute of Mental Health.
2 Minute Slide Presentation
Life and stress – they go hand in hand. We will experience lots and lots of stress in our life. There is no getting around it. I believe that the degree to which we effectively manage and cope with the stress in our lives will determine the degree to which we are healthy. If we turn to unhealthy behaviors to cope with the stress, our physical and emotional health will suffer. Suicide is perhaps the ultimate “unhealthy” action a person can take to cope with chronic and significant stress, such as repeated tours of duty in a combat zone in the case of a soldier.
Resources and Information on Stress, Health and Faith
The stress and health link and how a strong faith can help on my web site.
Bible Verses for Faith in Times of Stress
Article – Stress Management and The Christian Faith by Dr. Ken Matto
Blog Post – Jesus on Stress Management
“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Jul
23
2009
One daily devotional I use is In Touch Magazine, written by Charles Stanley. The verse for today’s devotional is Matthew 11:28-30, a verse I almost refer to when I speak on the topic of faith, stress and health. Because Stanley does such a wonderful job of addressing these verses, I thought I’d share today’s devotion with you. The following is today’s devotional.
Jesus - "Take my yoke upon you" Matthew 11:29
Jesus invites all burdened individuals to come to Him for rest, yet so often we misunderstand what He is offering. When stresses and problems weigh us down, the most natural response is to ask God for relief: “Lord, I can’t carry this anymore. I’m going to leave it here with you.” Having dumped the burden like a bag of garbage, we walk away but remained unchanged inside.
God doesn’t operate that way. Christ’s invitation is to join Him in the yoke so you can walk and work together. He doesn’t want just your burden; He wants you! The yoke of Christ is a symbol of discipleship, characterized by submission and obedience to Him. God’s goal isn’t simply to give relief by removing a weighty trial or affliction; He longs to draw you to Himself in a close and trusting relationship. Those who take Him up on His offer will be transformed and won’t ever return to their old ways. Read more of this article »
Apr
07
2009
With record-high suicide rates among U.S. soldiers, the Army’s Chief of Chaplains has proclaimed Wednesday, April 8, a day of prayer and fasting for the military. Read the proclamation here. Chaplain (Major General) Douglas L. Carver has called on all Army chaplains, as well as concerned Christians, to pray for the safety and peace of mind for soldiers and their families, according to Military Ministry.
The day of prayer and fasting focuses on suicide-prevention awareness and coincides with the Army’s 120-day “stand down” and unit training, which began Feb. 15.
Carver says, “This has been a long war we’ve been in – for eight years since 9/11,” in an interview with the Baptist Press. “The war has been on an up tempo and at an almost unsustainable rate, with fighting on two fronts,” he said in reference to Iraq and Afghanistan. “Suicide is something we’re now seeing as one of the residuals of this long war.”
In 2008, there were 140 suicides in the Army – the highest recorded number since the early 1980s, Carver said. Some chaplains, who are themselves under great stress, have also committed suicide, the chief of chaplains said.
Carver urges Christians to pray for all U.S. military servicemen and women.
“May God be glorified in the lives of our Army’s Soldiers and Families, and may God bless the United States,” wrote Carver in the Proclamation of Prayer and Fasting letter.
I invite you to join me in prayer and fasting on this solemn day.
Mar
18
2009
Dr. Christopher Edwards, director of the Behavioral Chronic Pain Management program at Duke University Medical Center, says his pain-management program in Durham, N.C. is seeing a rise in patients amid the current economic crisis: “There’s a very strong relationship between the economy and the number of out-of-control stress cases we see.”
Katherine Muller is a cognitive therapist and director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y. She says “The message I’m trying to send(to my patients) is that you are responsible for your own stress. The way you are looking at it and feeling about it is more up to you than you realize.”
Both of the above excerpts were taken from a Wall Street Journal health column written by Melina Beck on March 17, 2009. Her article is another reminder of the affect that chronic stress can have on our physical health. In this case, it’s the stress people are experiencing because of their perceptions and beliefs about their finances and the impact the economy is having on their lives. Beck mentions the value of exercise, biofeedback and therapy as methods to alleviate stress, however she makes no mention of the spiritual dimension of one’s life and the value of it in managing the stressors associated with this economic mess were are in. Read more of this article »
Mar
12
2009
This week I have been privileged to spend time with senior Chaplains of the US Army. Over 350 Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants from around the world are spending time together in Hilton Head, SC to receive updates and various trainings under the theme of Renewing the Soldier’s Mind.
I had the honor to talk on “Renewing the Mind and Keeping It Fit” on Tuesday to the assembled group. My key scripture was Romans 12:1-2. Today, I spoke to spouses on the topic of “Leaning on Your faith in Times of Stress.” Having spent 20 years as an officer in the Army, this was a special time for me to be able to reconnect with members of the Armed Services.
Chaplains in our Armed Services have one of the most challenging vocations in the world. Spending this week with them has certainly given me a greater perspective on the stressors they and their families have.
May God bless the men and women of the US Army Chaplain Corps and the fine enlisted men who support their work.
For more information about a career as a US Army Chaplain, please see this sub-page of the Pastor tab.
Feb
21
2009
The key to staying grounded during these economically difficult times is keeping your trust in God. After all, what are your alternatives – trusting in yourself, the banks, your employer?
As President Obama said in a speech on Monday, “This isn’t a “run-of-the-mill recession.”" That being the case, you will not be successful in resorting to “run-of-the-mill” solutions to managing your responses to the situation.
Financial Stressors Lead to Physical Problems
The less we trust in God, the more likely we’ll be affected emotionally. Our emotional responses, if left unchecked, will affect us physically. A USA Today article in September of 2008 stated, Read more of this article »
Feb
04
2009
Stressed lately? Are you keenly aware of how chronic stress can impact your health? Did you know that 75-90% of visits to the doctors’ office are related to stress? (The American Psychological Association)
I have sensed God calling me to share in a concise way the truth about stress and health and how a personal relationship with Him can help matters. Yesterday I posted a 3 minute automatic presentation on my home page that tells this story - Stress and Unhealthy Habits – See How God Can Help.
If you are struggling with life and the stressors of life, or know someone who is, you may benefit from viewing this or the person you know may be helped by seeing it.
During times of distress, it’s good to remember what God’s Word says about who He is and how He cares for us:
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
The nations are in chaos, (the economy is a wreck!) and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46
In times of stress, I know of no antidote better than to turn to God and receive His love and promises. Keep your connection to Him strong.
Have a great week!
Dec
22
2008
Are you stressed? Unemployed? Lost half of your retirement savings? Grieving the loss of a loved one? Battling a significant health issue? Perhaps you’re distressed over something else in your life. The longer one stays stressed, the more likely the body will eventually pay a price.
There was a time when the families of David’s army had been captured and taken away. The wives of David himself had been taken. Scripture tells us that David and his men wept until they had no strength. And, all his men were terribly upset with David. The Bible tells us “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6 Reading further in this story we find that David prayed to God asking for direction, and God answered his prayers. David followed God’s guidance and he and his men were able to rescue their families and belongings. Afterward, David acknowledged that his God protected them as they were in a battle with the enemy forces.
How are you handling your stressful situation? Are you excluding God in your “battle” or distress? Are you attempting to manage on your own by falling back into an unhealthy habit or an addictive behavior to cope? Or, are you turning towards God by asking and relying on His help?
God wants us to choose Him as our source of strength when times are tough. If you’ve relied on Him in a past difficult situation, and He’s carried you through, remember that and call on Him now. If you’ve never made a choice to turn to Him when you’ve needed strength and guidance, trust in Him now. One way to receive the strength that He provides is by reading the Bible and being reminded of the character of God and of His truths. This is the main way God communicates to us today. He wants each of us to find nuggets of His truth, in the Bible, that speaks to us in our own situation, and then believe and trust that He will carry us through our own “battles.”
Read other entries about God and His strength.
Nov
22
2008
I read a concise post about the mind and stress this morning from Creekside Ministries blog that I want to share with you. Here’s an excerpt: “Stress begins in the brain. There is a sudden unexpected surge of stress hormones when you feel anxiety. When these hormones are released, sleeping and resting are nearly impossible. Though being extremely energetic is good when one is working, the human body is not built for such a state for long periods of time. If the hyper-activity is extended too much, one will eventually experience headaches, mood swings, aggressiveness, and a loss of the ability to concentrate on a given task.”
I liked how the author ended her post…. with a challenge to make healthy choices…. with God’s help.
DECISION TIME
With God’s help, I have the power to respond in a healthy way
to the stress-filled situations in my life.
I will make the following choices this week:
1.
2.
3.
So, fill in the blanks and today…… make healthy choices in response to the stressors in your life. And live!
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19
