The Christian Lifestyle… And… Lesson 3 “The Consequences Of Stress”

The Christian Lifestyle… And…

Lesson 3

““The Consequences Of Stress”The Consequences Of Stress”

1. A person’s stress level tends to rise or fall in direct proportion to the number of personal battlefronts that must be manned.

2. A person’s stress level tends to rise or fall in direct proportion to the significance of the battlefronts at which one is fighting.

3. A person’s stress level tends to rise or fall in direct proportion to his/her Christ-related faith, hope, and love.

4. A person’s age has very little to do with the way battlefronts are viewed and manned.

5. A person’s physical condition is usually not a significant factor in determining how we view and man the battlefronts of our lives.

6. It is always easy to relate to and identify with the battlefronts with which other people are having to deal.

7. Jesus teaches a way of life that enables us to eliminate all the battlefronts of life.

8. The principles of successful living as modeled and taught by Jesus provide us with practical and effective “life skills” for managing the battlefronts of life.

PLAN OF STUDYPLAN OF STUDY

Lesson 1: The “Condition” Of Stress

Lesson 2: The “Cause” Of Stress

Lesson 3: The “Consequences” of Stress

Lesson 4: The “Cure” For Stress

The Christian Lifestyle… And…

Lesson 3

““The Consequences Of Stress”The Consequences Of Stress”

STRAINSSTRAINS

STRUGGLESSTRUGGLES

STRESSORSSTRESSORS

SUFFERINGSUFFERING

SINSIN

There Will There Will Always Be…Always Be…

In This WorldIn This World

{{Tonight’sTonight’sStudyStudy

TheTheConsequencesConsequences

OfOfDis-stressDis-stress

WHATWHAT

ISIS

THETHE

MESSAGE?MESSAGE?

WHATWHAT

ISIS

THETHE

MESSAGE?MESSAGE?

DISTRESSDISTRESSBBOODDYY

BBOODDYY

MINDMINDMINDMINDSSPPIIRRIITT

SSPPIIRRIITT

RELATIONSHIPSRELATIONSHIPSRELATIONSHIPSRELATIONSHIPS

DISEASEDISEASEDISTRESSDISTRESSDISEASEDISEASEDISTRESSDISTRESSDISEASEDISEASEDISTRESSDISTRESS

BODYBODY

Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:

THETHE

PHYSIOLOGYPHYSIOLOGY

OFOF

STRESSSTRESS

1 Corinthians 6:19-201 Corinthians 6:19-20

GENESIS 4:2-8GENESIS 4:2-8

GENESIS 4:2-8GENESIS 4:2-8

[2][2] …Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. the soil.

[3][3] In the course of time Cain brought some In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. Lord.

[2][2] …Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. the soil.

[3][3] In the course of time Cain brought some In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. Lord.

GENESIS 4:2-8GENESIS 4:2-8

[4][4] But Abel brought fat portions from some But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, with favor on Abel and his offering,

[5][5] but on Cain and his offering he did not but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. look with favor.

So Cain was very angry, So Cain was very angry,

and his face was downcast. and his face was downcast.

[4][4] But Abel brought fat portions from some But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, with favor on Abel and his offering,

[5][5] but on Cain and his offering he did not but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. look with favor.

So Cain was very angry, So Cain was very angry,

and his face was downcast. and his face was downcast.

GENESIS 4:2-8GENESIS 4:2-8

[6][6] Then the Lord said to Cain, Then the Lord said to Cain,

"Why are you angry? "Why are you angry?

Why is your face downcast? Why is your face downcast?

[6][6] Then the Lord said to Cain, Then the Lord said to Cain,

"Why are you angry? "Why are you angry?

Why is your face downcast? Why is your face downcast?

GENESIS 4:2-8GENESIS 4:2-8

[7][7] If you do what is right, will you not be If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." have you, but you must master it."

[8][8] Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." go out to the field."

And while they were in the field, Cain And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

[7][7] If you do what is right, will you not be If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." have you, but you must master it."

[8][8] Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." go out to the field."

And while they were in the field, Cain And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

PSALM 38:1-7PSALM 38:1-7

PSALM 38:1-7PSALM 38:1-7

[1][1] O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. or discipline me in your wrath.

[2][2] For your arrows have pierced me, For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me. and your hand has come down upon me.

[1][1] O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. or discipline me in your wrath.

[2][2] For your arrows have pierced me, For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me. and your hand has come down upon me.

PSALM 38:1-7PSALM 38:1-7

[3][3] Because of your wrath Because of your wrath there is no health there is no health in my body; in my body;

my bonesmy bones have no soundnesshave no soundness because of because of my sin. my sin.

[4][4] My guilt has overwhelmed me like a My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.burden too heavy to bear.

[3][3] Because of your wrath Because of your wrath there is no health there is no health in my body; in my body;

my bonesmy bones have no soundnesshave no soundness because of because of my sin. my sin.

[4][4] My guilt has overwhelmed me like a My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.burden too heavy to bear.

PSALM 38:1-7PSALM 38:1-7

[5][5] My My woundswounds fester and are loathsome fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. because of my sinful folly.

[6][6] I am bowed down and brought very low; I am bowed down and brought very low;

all day long I go about all day long I go about mourning.mourning.

[7][7] My back is filled with searing pain; My back is filled with searing pain;

there is no health in my body. there is no health in my body.

[5][5] My My woundswounds fester and are loathsome fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. because of my sinful folly.

[6][6] I am bowed down and brought very low; I am bowed down and brought very low;

all day long I go about all day long I go about mourning.mourning.

[7][7] My back is filled with searing pain; My back is filled with searing pain;

there is no health in my body. there is no health in my body.

ISISTHETHE

PHYSICAL BODYPHYSICAL BODYAFFECTEDAFFECTED

WHEN THERE AREWHEN THERE AREHEAVY STRESSORS?HEAVY STRESSORS?

When There Is “Distress”…When There Is “Distress”…

THE PHYSICAL BODYTHE PHYSICAL BODY

goes through goes through

CRUCIALCRUCIALPHASESPHASES

ALARM STAGE

BODY PREPARES

FOR:

1. Flight

2. Fight

3. Freeze

ALARM

1. Hypothalamus

2. Central Nervous System—body!

3. Pituitary—ACTH

4. Adrenal Glands

5. Oxygen-rich blood to entire body

6. Sugar for quick energy

7. Muscles coil

8. Perspiration

9. Senses quicken

10. Chemicals to clot the blood

11. Functions not essential for FFF are shut down

12. Adrenalin is pouring into the system

BODY PREPARES TO:

1. Relax

2. Repair

3. Return to normal baseline

RESOLUTIONSTAGE

ALARM RELAX ALARM RELAX

ALARM RELAX ALARM RELAX

AS LONG AS…AS LONG AS…

OKAYOKAY

ALARM ALARM

ALARM ALARM

DANGER!!!DANGER!!!

NOT OKAY!NOT OKAY!

ALARM BRIEF

BRIEF ALARM

THERE IS

A

THIRD STAGE

THERE IS

A

THIRD STAGE

ALARM

DAMAGE

RELAX

ATOTALLE

DPERSON

LEARN TO COPE WITH STRESS SUCCESSFULLY OR

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS MAY BECOME PAINFULLY

“REAL.”

THESE COULD BECOME… REAL1. He/She is a “pain in the neck.”

2. I am “sick with worry.”

3. That accident “took ten years off my life.”

4. This job “is killing me.”

5. This situation is “taking its toll on me.”

6. This is “breaking my heart.”

THE SAME EXPERIENCECOULD BE A DIFFERENT FLAG

FOR THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE

A “DESIRED EXPERIENCE”COULD RAISE ANY ONE OF THESE FLAGS

--EVEN A RED ONE

NORMAL&

HEALTHY

ABNORMAL&

UNHEALTHY

BODY SYMPTOMS

*Flushing*Flushing*Sweating*Sweating*Dry Mouth*Dry Mouth*Shallow Breathing*Shallow Breathing*Chest Pain*Chest Pain*Heart Palpitation*Heart Palpitation*Increased Blood *Increased Blood PressurePressure*Headache (Migraines)*Headache (Migraines)*Headache (Tension)*Headache (Tension)

*Back Pain *Back Pain *Feeling Of *Feeling Of WeaknessWeakness*Intestinal Distress *Intestinal Distress

*Vomiting*Vomiting*Diarrhea*Diarrhea*Constipation*Constipation*Fatigue*Fatigue*Loss Of Appetite*Loss Of Appetite*Skin Problems*Skin Problems

*Sleep Problems*Sleep Problems*Breathlessness*Breathlessness*Muscle Aches*Muscle Aches*Increased Appetite*Increased Appetite*Stomach Cramping*Stomach Cramping*Irritable Colon*Irritable Colon*Dizziness*Dizziness*Faintness*Faintness*Immune System *Immune System AffectedAffected

HOW ISHOW IS

““DISTRESS”DISTRESS”

AFFECTINGAFFECTINGYOUR BODY?YOUR BODY?

MINDMIND

Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:

2 CORINTHIANS 2:12-132 CORINTHIANS 2:12-13

2 CORINTHIANS 2:12-132 CORINTHIANS 2:12-13

[12][12] Now when I went to Troas to preach the Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ gospel of Christ

and found that the Lord had opened a door and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, for me,

[13][13] I still had I still had no peace of mind,no peace of mind, because I because I did not find my brother Titus there. did not find my brother Titus there.

So I said good-by to them and went on to So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia.Macedonia.

[12][12] Now when I went to Troas to preach the Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ gospel of Christ

and found that the Lord had opened a door and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, for me,

[13][13] I still had I still had no peace of mind,no peace of mind, because I because I did not find my brother Titus there. did not find my brother Titus there.

So I said good-by to them and went on to So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia.Macedonia.

PAUL…PAUL…

…on a different and better day!

ACTS 16:22-25ACTS 16:22-25

[22][22] The crowd joined in the attack against The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. them to be stripped and beaten.

[23][23] After they had been severely flogged, After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. was commanded to guard them carefully.

[22][22] The crowd joined in the attack against The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. them to be stripped and beaten.

[23][23] After they had been severely flogged, After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. was commanded to guard them carefully.

ACTS 16:22-25ACTS 16:22-25

[24][24] Upon receiving such orders, Upon receiving such orders,

he put them in the inner cell he put them in the inner cell

and fastened their feet in the stocks. and fastened their feet in the stocks.

[24][24] Upon receiving such orders, Upon receiving such orders,

he put them in the inner cell he put them in the inner cell

and fastened their feet in the stocks. and fastened their feet in the stocks.

ACTS 16:22-25ACTS 16:22-25

[25][25] About midnight Paul and Silas were About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, praying and singing hymns to God,

the other prisoners were listening to them.the other prisoners were listening to them.

[25][25] About midnight Paul and Silas were About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, praying and singing hymns to God,

the other prisoners were listening to them.the other prisoners were listening to them.

SPIRITSPIRIT

Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:

LUKE 22:39-46LUKE 22:39-46

LUKE 22:39-46LUKE 22:39-46

[39][39] Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. Olives, and his disciples followed him.

[40][40] On reaching the place, he said to them, On reaching the place, he said to them,

"Pray that you will not fall into temptation." "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."

[41][41] He withdrew about a stone's throw He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, beyond them, knelt down and prayed,

[39][39] Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. Olives, and his disciples followed him.

[40][40] On reaching the place, he said to them, On reaching the place, he said to them,

"Pray that you will not fall into temptation." "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."

[41][41] He withdrew about a stone's throw He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, beyond them, knelt down and prayed,

LUKE 22:39-46LUKE 22:39-46

[42][42] "Father, if you are willing, take this cup "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; from me;

yet not my will, but yours be done." yet not my will, but yours be done."

[43][43] An angel from heaven appeared to him An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. and strengthened him.

[42][42] "Father, if you are willing, take this cup "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; from me;

yet not my will, but yours be done." yet not my will, but yours be done."

[43][43] An angel from heaven appeared to him An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. and strengthened him.

LUKE 22:39-46LUKE 22:39-46

[44][44] And being in anguish, And being in anguish,

he prayed more earnestly, he prayed more earnestly,

and his sweat was like drops of blood falling and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. to the ground.

[44][44] And being in anguish, And being in anguish,

he prayed more earnestly, he prayed more earnestly,

and his sweat was like drops of blood falling and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. to the ground.

LUKE 22:39-46LUKE 22:39-46

[45][45] When he rose from prayer and went When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, back to the disciples, he found them asleep,

exhausted from sorrow.exhausted from sorrow.

[46][46] "Why are you sleeping?" he asked "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. them.

"Get up and pray so that you will not fall "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."into temptation."

[45][45] When he rose from prayer and went When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, back to the disciples, he found them asleep,

exhausted from sorrow.exhausted from sorrow.

[46][46] "Why are you sleeping?" he asked "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. them.

"Get up and pray so that you will not fall "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."into temptation."

RELATIONSHIPSRELATIONSHIPS

Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:Distress Causes (Dis)ease In:

ACTS 15:36-41ACTS 15:36-41

ACTS 15:36-41ACTS 15:36-41

[36][36] Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, Some time later Paul said to Barnabas,

"Let us go back and visit the brothers in all "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." the Lord and see how they are doing."

[36][36] Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, Some time later Paul said to Barnabas,

"Let us go back and visit the brothers in all "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." the Lord and see how they are doing."

ACTS 15:36-41ACTS 15:36-41

[37][37] Barnabas wanted to take John, also Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, called Mark, with them,

[38][38] but Paul did not think it wise to take but Paul did not think it wise to take him, him,

because he had deserted them in Pamphylia because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the and had not continued with them in the work. work.

[37][37] Barnabas wanted to take John, also Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, called Mark, with them,

[38][38] but Paul did not think it wise to take but Paul did not think it wise to take him, him,

because he had deserted them in Pamphylia because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the and had not continued with them in the work. work.

ACTS 15:36-41ACTS 15:36-41

[39][39] They had such a sharp disagreement They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.that they parted company.

Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

[40][40] but Paul chose Silas and left, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. the Lord.

[41][41] He went through Syria and Cilicia, He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. strengthening the churches.

[39][39] They had such a sharp disagreement They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.that they parted company.

Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

[40][40] but Paul chose Silas and left, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. the Lord.

[41][41] He went through Syria and Cilicia, He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. strengthening the churches.

BE AWARE!READ THE WARNING SIGNS!