Unlike days past, when our grandparents were young and the majority of people lived within communities that were centered around the church and common activities. The raising of children was the responsibility of everyone in the neighborhood. If someone was in need, the community gathered around them in support, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. In essence, the focus of the community was to be “good Samaritans” and doers of the Word, not just hearers.           

However, today’s generation is growing up in a society that is led by isolationism and consumerism. The healthy sense of community has given way to aggression and fear. Parents feel disempowered to discipline their children. Computers and hand-held devices that simulate outdoor activities from the comfort of their sofas or beds have replaced Physical activities.  Prescriptions for a plethora of Mental health diagnosis are handed out like candy on Halloween to adults and children due to any number of stress inducing manias. Moreover, the church, which once was the hub for moral, ethical, social, and Spiritual activities and resources, is now openly persecuted for the very beliefs that made this Country and our way of life desirable by the entire world.

 

So, what is the point? As the church was the hub of activities in our grandparent’s time, it has now become the focal point of aggression within our own day. Yet, what is significant is that there is a direct correlation between one’s spiritual health and one’s Physical, Emotional, and Mental health. In today’s culture, stress is the key word that encompasses the majority of issues that humans face today.  Stress has been shown to be the primary factor in 80% of heart issues. Dr. Steve Bressert, in his article, The Impact of Stress, presents an extensive list of symptoms directly related to stress and affect a person’s Physical, Emotional, and Mental health. 

 

These symptoms include the following:

 

• sleep disturbance (insomnia, sleeping fitfully)

• clenched jaw

• grinding teeth

• digestive upsets

• lump in your throat

• difficulty swallowing

• agitated behavior, like twiddling your fingers

• playing with your hair

• increased heart rate

• general restlessness

• sense of muscle tension in your body, or actual muscle twitching

• non-cardiac chest pains

• dizziness, lightheartedness

• hyperventilating

• sweaty palms

• nervousness

• stumbling over words

• high blood pressure

• lack of energy

• fatigue

 

Cognitive (mental & behavioral) signs of stress include:

 

• mental slowness

• confusion

• general negative attitudes or thoughts

• constant worry

• your mind races at times

• difficulty concentrating

• forgetfulness

• difficulty thinking in a logical sequence

• the sense that life is overwhelming; you can’t problem-solve

• decreased contact with family and friends

• poor work relations

• sense of loneliness

• decreased sex drive

• avoiding others and others avoid you because you’re cranky

• failing to set aside times for relaxation through activities such as hobbies, music, art or reading

 

Emotional signs of stress include:

 

• irritation

• no sense of humor

• frustration

• jumpiness, over-excitability

• feeling overworked

• feeling overwhelmed

• sense of helplessness

• apathy

 

While not all stress is detrimental, chronic stress, stress that remains beyond the normal scope and length of time for a situation often produces negative responses as those presented above, such as anger, irritability, and even depression can result. The Mayo Clinic directly links chronic stress symptoms that results in a vicious cycle of suffering.  For example, physical ailments such as chronic headaches directly lead anxiety or restlessness. Following the physical, emotional and mental health symptoms is the consumption of prescription or illegal drugs and/or alcohol as a means of reducing the symptoms and stress. What follows is then an increase of stress symptoms further induced by inappropriate means of reducing stress, reactivating the cycle.

 

Yet to be discussed is the Spiritual component, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18. The church provided the means for belonging, for community, but most importantly, for Hope! Hope in Jesus Christ and hope that we have a future in Him.  We find our society suffering, due to a state of hopelessness.  In order to become hopeless, one must have had hope previously. “…waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13. 

 

Over the last 50 years, New Age philosophy, atheism, existentialists, etc., have all tried to remake the world and our way of living suit their own agendas with the caveat of supposed freedom from religious constraints. However, the issue is not about religion, but about the removal of the Spirit of God. To remove the Holy Spirit is to remove Hope through which springs eternal life. While this is the perspective of the Church, science has also concluded, “Only with the assistance of [those in community and shared faith in Christ] can a person transition from the progression of [chronic stress] and suffering towards progressing meaning-creation, thereby effectively alleviating suffering as well as obtaining meaning in life.”[1] Hope in Jesus Christ is this final step in the process through suffering. Research reveals that through the process of reconciliation, through Hope and faith in Christ, can a person can find alleviation through suffering and find meaning in life.[2]

 

It is with this saving Hope, that I encourage each of you to find the true source of all hope, strength, and peace, regardless of the stresses you might be facing and enduring. Jesus Christ, also called the Prince of Peace, desires to relieve you of your state of hopelessness and restore to each of you your divinely given destiny and purpose in Him.  While we may never know the answers to every “why” question, we can find the Hope that leads to faith that there is something much greater than what this world presents.

 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

 

In Good SPEM health. . . always!

 

Pastor Lee Hyman

 

    

  

Bibliography

 

Arne Rehnsfeldt and Katie Eriksson. “The Progression of Suffering Implies Alleviated Suffering.” Scandinavian Journal of Caring 18, no.3 (September 2004): 264-272

 

Lena-Karin Gustafsson, Lena Wiklund-Gustin, and Unni A. Lindstrom. “The Meaning of Reconciliation.” Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences 3, (December 16, 2010): 525-532

 

[1] Rehnsfeldt and Eriksson, 270

[2] Gustafsson, Wiklund-Gustin, and Lindstrom, 526