THE HOPE ARMY – GIANTS ASSEMBLY – 19.07.2020
TEACHING SERIES: I am the LORD that healeth thee (Part One).
READING: “…If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” -Exodus 15:26.
TODAY’S MESSAGE:
*I had a discussion earlier today with a friend of mine in Church. He highlighted a few issues he’d been experiencing in his relationship.
*He admitted to being wrong in some decisions he had made. I advised him on the best ways to handle things.
*He went on to reveal that at the height of those misunderstandings with his lady, he fell sick.
*There are most of us whom if we look back in time, we’ll find moments when we fell ill like that my friend following a heartbreak.
*If I could be sick due to a heartbreak, what then is the relationship between my emotions and my health? (Proverbs 4:23).
*Studies have found many health problems related to stress. Stress seems to worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma.
#10 Health Problems Related to Stress
1. Heart disease. Researchers have long suspected that the stressed-out, type A personality has a higher risk of high blood pressure and heart problems. We don’t know why, exactly. Stress can directly increase heart rate and blood flow, and causes the release of cholesterol and triglycerides into the blood stream.
2. Asthma. Many studies have shown that stress can worsen asthma. Some evidence suggests that a parent’s chronic stress might even increase the risk of developing asthma in their children.
3. Obesity. Excess fat in the belly seems to pose greater health risks than fat on the legs or hips — and unfortunately, that’s just where people with high stress seem to store it.
4. Diabetes. Stress can worsen diabetes in two ways. First, it increases the likelihood of bad behaviors, such as unhealthy eating and excessive drinking. Second, stress seems to raise the glucose levels of people with type 2 diabetes directly.
5. Headaches. Stress is considered one of the most common triggers for headaches — not just tension headaches, but migraines as well.
6. Depression and anxiety. It’s probably no surprise that chronic stress is connected with higher rates of depression and anxiety. One survey of recent studies found that people who had stress related to their jobs — like demanding work with few rewards — had an 80% higher risk of developing depression within a few years than people with lower stress.
7. Gastrointestinal problems. Here’s one thing that stress doesn’t do — it doesn’t cause ulcers. However, it can make them worse.
8. Alzheimer’s disease. One animal study found that stress might worsen Alzheimer’s disease, causing its brain lesions to form more quickly. Some researchers speculate that reducing stress has the potential to slow down the progression of the disease. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
9. Accelerated aging. There’s actually evidence that stress can affect how you age. One study compared the DNA of mothers who were under high stress — they were caring for a chronically ill child — with women who were not. Researchers found that a particular region of the chromosomes showed the effects of accelerated aging. Stress seemed to accelerate aging about 9 to 17 additional years.
10. Premature death. A study looked at the health effects of stress by studying elderly caregivers looking after their spouses — people who are naturally under a great deal of stress. It found that caregivers had a 63% higher rate of death than people their age who were not caregivers.
*In addition to these findings, we must recognize God’s provisions for a stress free life for His children.
*The Bible says, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” -Jeremiah 8:22.
To be continued..
PRAYER: Father, I decree healing to my spirit, soul, and body, in the name of Jesus.
-Evangelist ML Babalola (President of The Hope Army).
For more resources, please log on to our website: www.hopearmy.org.ng
Remember, No Jesus No Hope!
