That is the question we are all asking today. If you are reading or listening to the news, the stress of being aware of what is happening is enough to make one sick (literally).

  • The Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States estimates that stress accounts for about 75% of all doctor’s visits.
  • Occupational Health and Safety News and the National Council on Compensation of Insurance find that up to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints.

Stress wrecks our entire body

According to this Healthline.com article, stress causes headaches, depression, heartburn, insomnia, rapid breathing, weakened immune system, risk of heart attack, high blood sugar, fertility problems, stomachache, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, missed periods, and tense muscles.

The Reader's Digest article “What Stress Does to Your Body” (Feb. 2024) goes on to describe these results of stress:

  • A chemical rush of cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine. These hormones can destroy neurons, leading to brain atrophy, shrinkage or damage to the prefrontal cortex.
  • Your muscles tense up: clenching of the jaw, grinding teeth, TMJ disorder, tight shoulders with pain
  • Stomach: churns, microbes have to adapt, intestinal permeability increased (leakiness of the intestines), acid reflux (heartburn), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Heart: narrowing of arteries in the heart, decreased blood flow, palpitations, hyperventilation, arrhythmias, blood vessels tighten and constrict and can cause tingling in the toes, blood pressure raises (hypertension)
  • Lungs: more susceptible to coughing because your immune system is shut down, and viruses can take root more easily.
  • Skin: flushing, itching, inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, premature aging of skin
  • Sleep: sleep less, toss & turn
  • Reproduction: missed cycles, reduced fertility, erectile dysfunction, impotence
  • Muscles/joints: sore backs, arms, legs, hands, feet, swelling, pain, stiffness, tendonitis, scarring

Stress causes epigenetic change

The information below is summarized from You Are the Placebo by Joe Dispenza (page 101).

The “Relaxation Response” causes 1561 genes to change:

  • 874 upregulated (turned on) for health (immune function, etc.)
  • 687 downregulated (turned off) for stress (inflammation, etc.)

Stress sets off:

  • 1,400+ chemical reactions
  • 30+ hormones and neurotransmitters changes

Bill Johnson: “For believers, unforgiveness is the greatest cause of affliction.” I agree. When I live in judgment it produces stress and wrecks my health. I (Mark Virkler) have experienced this numerous times in my life.

Stress is caused by gazing upon the evil around you

When we get our eyes off from Jesus and start looking around, we will be in the same mess as Asaph was in Psalm 73: Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart! But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked (and he goes on describing the evil that he sees – Ps. 73:1-9).

The solution is getting into God’s presence and seeing what He is doing

When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end (Ps. 73:16-17). Then he goes on to describe the revelation God gave to him that restored him to peace.

The KEY is our imagination

"The steadfast of "imagination" (Yester in the Hebrew) You will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in You" (Isa. 26:3).

Hebrew word yester H3336 (9 occurrences in KJV)

  • Translated as “imagination(s)” 5 times – Gen. 6:5; Deut. 31:21 (2), 1 Chron. 28:9; 29:18
  • Translated as “frame(d)” 2 times – Ps. 103:14; Isa. 29:16

KEY TAKEAWAY TRUTH:

A steadfast imagination produces an emotional response of perfect peace, which in turn frames up and creates my reality.

Application exercise

We all imagine (yester) all day long (ponder, picture, anticipate). Let's make sure all our imaginations are godly imaginations by having our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is at our side (Ps. 16:8; Acts 2:25).

As we look and see Him there, we pray for the Holy Spirit to take over this godly imagination, then tune to flowing thoughts and flowing pictures, and experience a living encounter with God that heals our fears and brings us perfect peace. Amen and selah!