Stress is a killer. It contributes to high blood pressures, heart disease, and addictive disorders. It often leads to headaches and backaches. It results in trembling of the hands and fingers, to lightheadedness, ringing in the ears, cold hands and dry mouth. It can dramatically affect the skin by triggering psoriasis, eczema, hives, and itching. It can cause stomach disorders, constipation or diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and flatulence. It can constrict the breathing, as anyone knows who suffers panic attacks. Stress is often behind periods of impotence, hair loss, mood swings, insomnia, and nightmares. It produces nervous habits in the body like fidgeting or feet and finger tapping. People under stress often lose energy and struggle with chronic fatigue. They’re apt to gain or lose weight, and many researchers believe that stress can trigger life-threatening diseases such as cancer, strokes, and heart attacks. And that’s just a partial list.
Now here’s Psalm 119:143 in the New Living Translation:
As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in Your commands.
Quietly reading and meditating on God’s Word is the world’s best de-stressor. Meditation is the best medication. We can be still and know that He is God. Take a Bible-Break today. I can’t stress that enough!