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**EDWARD D. ANDREWS** (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 200+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

What Causes Stress?

Stress is caused by a complex interaction of physical and psychological factors. It can be triggered by a range of external and internal stimuli, including work pressures, financial difficulties, relationship problems, and major life changes such as moving house, getting married or divorced, or the death of a loved one. Physical factors such as illness, injury, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition can also contribute to stress. In addition, personal characteristics such as low self-esteem, pessimism, and a tendency to worry or ruminate can make individuals more vulnerable to stress. Finally, some people may be more genetically predisposed to stress than others.

What Is Stress?

Stress is a natural and normal reaction that occurs in response to a perceived threat, challenge, or demand. It is the body’s way of preparing to respond to a difficult or challenging situation. A variety of factors, including physical, psychological, and emotional stressors can cause stress. The body’s stress response involves the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can affect various bodily systems and functions. While stress is a normal part of life, excessive or prolonged stress can have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Is There Good and Bad Stress?

Yes, there is good and bad stress. Good stress, also known as eustress, can motivate and energize a person to take action and achieve their goals. For example, the stress of preparing for an exam can help a student focus and perform better. On the other hand, bad stress, also known as distress, can cause negative physical and emotional symptoms and can be harmful to a person’s health. Chronic stress, or long-term stress, can lead to a variety of health problems, such as anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, and digestive problems.

How Does Stress Affect Your Body?

Stress can have various physical effects on the body. When a person is under stress, their body reacts as if it is in danger, triggering the “fight or flight” response. This response involves the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare the body to deal with the perceived threat.

Some of the physical effects of stress on the body include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. These physiological changes can put a strain on the cardiovascular system and, over time, may increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular problems.

Stress can also weaken the immune system, making a person more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Chronic stress can lead to inflammation in the body, which has been linked to a range of health problems, including autoimmune disorders, depression, and chronic pain.

In addition, stress can affect the digestive system, causing symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. It can also affect the reproductive system, leading to decreased libido and fertility problems.

Finally, stress can have a negative impact on mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. It can also affect cognitive functions, such as memory and concentration.

HOW TO DEAL WITH STRESS

To manage stress well, you should consider your physical well-being, social interactions, and life goals and priorities. This article provides practical principles to help you cope with stress and potentially lessen its impact.

Matthew 6:34 (ASV): “Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties.” The meaning is that while daily anxieties are a part of life, we should not add tomorrow’s anxieties to today’s. It is better to live one day at a time and avoid unnecessary stress.

In dealing with stress, it’s important to take one day at a time, as daily anxieties are a normal part of life. Adding tomorrow’s anxieties to today’s only increases stress. It’s crucial to recognize that some stress is unavoidable and fretting over things that cannot be prevented only exacerbates it. It’s essential to remember that things often don’t turn out as badly as we fear they will.

The Bible says, “The wisdom from above is…reasonable.” (James 3:17) This means you should not strive for perfection or set impossible standards for yourself or others. Instead, be realistic, set attainable goals, and recognize your own limitations and those of others. By doing so, you can reduce stress and increase your chances of success. Additionally, maintaining a sense of humor can help relieve tension and improve your mood, even in difficult situations.

Negative emotions can cloud our thinking and increase stress, so it’s important to stay calm. As Proverbs 17:27 says, “A discerning man will remain calm.” To reduce stress, identify what stresses you and note your response, including thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This awareness can help you deal with stress more effectively. Try to eliminate stressful things from your life, and if that’s not possible, find ways to manage them more efficiently, such as by managing your tasks or time better. Also, try to see things from a different perspective. What stresses you might not stress someone else, and the difference could be in your viewpoint. Consider these suggestions: don’t assume bad motives, look for the positive side of a situation, and keep the big picture in mind to distinguish between minor issues and more serious ones.

In order to reduce stress in your life, it is important to maintain a sense of orderliness. As stated in 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things take place decently and by arrangement.” One of the major causes of disorder and stress is procrastination, which can lead to a long list of unfinished tasks. To combat this, try making a practical schedule and sticking to it. Additionally, it is important to identify and correct any attitudes that may be causing you to procrastinate in the first place. By implementing these strategies, you can maintain a greater sense of organization in your life and reduce stress levels.

To lead a balanced lifestyle, it is important to have a realistic view of work and money. Ecclesiastes 4:6 reminds us that pursuing rest is just as important as working hard. Money and work can bring stress and even reduce happiness, so try to live within your means. Additionally, taking time to relax and engage in activities that bring joy can alleviate stress. However, passive activities such as watching TV may not be helpful. Lastly, it’s important to keep technology in check by avoiding constant checking of emails, texts, and social media. It’s best to avoid work-related email outside of working hours unless circumstances require it.

Regular exercise is good for your health, according to 1 Timothy 4:8. Here are some tips for taking care of your health and reducing stress:

• Develop healthy habits like regular physical activity, which can boost your mood and help your body cope with stress. Eat nutritious foods and try not to skip meals. Get enough rest.

• Avoid harmful “solutions” to stress like smoking, drug or alcohol abuse, as these can worsen stress in the long term and have negative effects on your health and finances.

• Don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a doctor if your stress feels overwhelming. Remember, seeking help is not a sign of failure.

The Bible advises us to prioritize important things in our lives. To do so, try listing tasks in order of importance. This helps you focus on the most critical tasks and allows you to put off, delegate, or eliminate less important tasks. Additionally, keep track of how you use your time for a week to find ways to use it more efficiently. Scheduling downtime, even short breaks, can re-energize you and reduce stress levels.

To receive support during stressful times, consider reaching out to others.

• Find a trustworthy friend or family member to talk to. Sometimes simply talking about your worries can help you gain perspective and feel better.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. You may be able to delegate tasks or share responsibilities with others.

• If a co-worker or colleague is causing you stress, consider speaking with them directly and calmly, expressing how you feel. If this doesn’t work, limit your interactions with them to the extent possible. Remember, it’s important to take care of your own well-being.

To be truly happy, we must fulfill our spiritual needs in addition to our physical needs. This can be accomplished through prayer, meditation, and reading spiritually uplifting material like the Bible. Through prayer, we can cast our anxieties onto God and experience inner peace. Reading the Bible can give us practical wisdom and a better understanding of God’s purpose for our lives. It is important to set aside time for spiritual activities and make them a priority.

The book “Overcoming Stress” features a chapter called “Kill Your Stress with Kindness.” According to the author, Dr. Tim Cantopher, being kind to others can help promote health and happiness, while being cruel or unkind can lead to unhappiness and isolation. It’s important to also treat ourselves kindly by avoiding harsh self-criticism or unrealistic expectations. As Jesus Christ said, “You must love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), implying that treating ourselves kindly is just as important as treating others kindly.

On the topic of forgiveness, Proverbs 19:11 says, “The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to overlook an offense.” According to Loren Toussaint in the Journal of Health Psychology, forgiveness can protect our health from the negative effects of stress. Toussaint explains that forgiveness involves releasing negative emotions and behaviors toward someone who has wronged us, and this can have a positive impact on our overall well-being. In other words, having a forgiving attitude may help to reduce stress-related disorders.

A Stress-Free Life Is Possible

The Bible offers wisdom that can help us reduce stress in our lives. While we cannot eliminate all stress, our Creator and Jesus Christ can provide assistance. Jesus will soon do even greater things than he did while on earth to alleviate stress on a global scale.

Jesus Christ demonstrated his ability to heal the sick, as recorded in Matthew 4:24. According to Isaiah 65:21-22, Jesus will provide housing and food for all, and his rule will result in global peace and security, as stated in Psalm 72:7-9. Injustice will be eliminated, and the lowly and poor will be saved from oppression and violence, as stated in Psalm 72:13-14. In fact, Jesus will even eliminate suffering and death, as stated in Revelation 21:4. These promises of Jesus’ future reign offer hope and comfort to those experiencing stress and suffering in the present.

Stress seems to be more common than ever before. The Bible offers an explanation for this. According to 2 Timothy 3:1, the last days will be marked by “perilous times of great stress and trouble.” The reason for this, the Bible goes on to say, is due to the bad character traits of people, such as greed, arrogance, religious hypocrisy, and a lack of self-control. The last days will end when Jesus Christ takes full control of the earth as King of God’s Kingdom, a heavenly government, as stated in Daniel 2:44.