Toxic Stress

"Stress is such a common term that we might tend to trivialize it, assuming it's a convenient fiction for the weak who do not wish to do their best. Such an attitude would be a mistake. Stress is real, it is increasing and it can be highly pathogenic. While a life of no-stress is fatal and a life of low-stress is boring, a life of hyperstress is toxic to health, relationships and faith. God has created us enormously adaptable. Once we exceed our limits, however, the adaptability mechanism breaks down. Dysfunction results. The modern stress epidemic is not a single-point source problem, meaning we need to be vigilant in many directions." (Source: Richard Swenson, quoted in News & Views, The Christian Medical & Dental Associations, November 1, 2007; Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:7-11