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With the restless and fast-paced systems we currently have, stress can begin to feel normal because we adjust to the hectic lifestyle. We may not feel there is anything wrong, but the body has subtle ways of telling us all is not well, with impacts on both our physical and mental well-being.

In an article on the “Insider” website entitled, “21 Sneaky signs you’re stressed – even if you think you aren’t”, a few signs caught my attention (link to full article at end of devotional).

The first is “Short Memory”. This is what the article said.

“As our schedules get more and more packed, it’s easy to brush off issues with our memory or forgetfulness, but it’s often a clear sign of a bigger problem: you’re too stressed.

Whether you’re finding it hard to focus, or you’re forgetting things that once came easily to you, you might be flat-out frazzled. Paying attention to your train of thought (or lack thereof) can help determine if you’ve got too much on your plate, and whether you need to seriously scale back.”

The second is digestive discomfort including heartburn, diarrhea, or constipation.

Quoting Deborah Rhodes, MD, a Mayo Clinic internal medicine physician, this is what the article said.

“Anxiety and stress can cause the body to produce more digestive acid, which leads to heartburn,” Rhodes said. “They can also slow the emptying of food from the stomach, which causes gas and bloating, and may even increase the number of times your colon contracts, leading to cramping and diarrhea.”

The third is what I call unrealistic sleeping, or too much or too little sleep.

Again, this is what the article said,

“If you’re under a lot of stress, the first thing to go is a solid night’s sleep, and it makes sense why: You end up taking any daytime anxieties or worries with you to bed, and your brain knows just how to bring them back up when you should be getting the sleep you need.

So if it’s hard to fall asleep at night, it’s pretty obvious that it could be due to stress. But what about if you’re sleeping too much? That could also be a sign that you’re dealing with something bigger.

If you suddenly want to stay in bed all day, or if you find it downright impossible to get out of bed in the mornings lately, you might be experiencing signs of depression, which can be linked to excess stress. Check in with your doctor, who can help figure out what’s going on and get you back to feeling like yourself again.”

Others are when making decisions becomes a big challenge, and easy tasks suddenly feel impossible.

But one that I never anticipated was having weird dreams! This is what the article said:

“Sound sleepers rarely report remembering their dreams, and there’s a solid reason why: the less stimuli your brain is responding to at night, the less you’ll be able to recall your dreams. So if you find yourself waking up with vivid or otherwise bad dreams, your brain might be subconsciously working through things you haven’t yet dealt with during daytime hours.

If you’re having crazy dreams, Robert S. Rosenberg, doctor of osteopathic medicine, board-certified sleep medicine specialist, explained why in a 2016 interview with Women’s Health magazine. He said, ‘It’s during REM sleep that we believe most emotional modification takes place,’ which means your brain might be managing negative or stressful emotions while you’re just trying to get your z’s.”

Interestingly, Bible says God gives His beloved sleep, and adhering to God’s wisdom makes our sleep sweet.

READ Psalm 127:1-2; Proverbs 3:21,24

“Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman stays awake in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early,

To sit up late,

To eat the bread of sorrows;

For so He gives His beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:1-2 NKJV)

My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion…When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:21,24)

We are all in this turbulent, fast-paced world; being driven to the brink by the obstreperous technology, unbridled desire, mercenary ambition and increasing breakdown in societal norms and brotherliness. But those who are the Lord’s beloved get sleep; and their sleep is sweet. 

The stressors will not disappear, but the effects on the Lord’s beloved are different.

MEMORY VERSE

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:24)

QUESTIONS

1. Are you having sleepless nights, and terrible dreams?

2. Do you know that the Lord grants sweet sleep?

PRAYER TIP

Father, I can do little on my own. I want to trust You. Please help me.

Written by:
BENNY MALM

For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

CREDITS

INSIDER WEBSITE, https://www.insider.com/how-to-know-if-youre-stressed-2018-4

URGENT CALL

By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!

But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.

The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved. 

Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.

It is a very personal decision. No one can make for you.

If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!

Do you want to make that decision today?

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.

God richly bless you

SPECIAL GRATITUDE

Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website. 

We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.

We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.

God richly bless you.

The Testimony Devotional website addresses are:

https://testimonydevotional.org/

https://testimonydevotional.com/

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