1. Faith and Well-being Thurs 19th Jan 2017
Stress & Health
Faith and Well-being
Thurs 19th Jan 2017

2. Stress & Health Stress and Health Statistics Definition of Stress
Our Human Design
Rethinking Stress and Faith
Mental well-being in the Bible
A Faith response

3. Some Statistics HSE (Labour Force Survey) 2016
Absence as a result of Stress averages at 24 days per case
Stress accounted for 37% of all work related ill-health cases and 45% of all working days lost to ill health
Highest prevalence of Stress is across Public Service industries

4. Some Statistics (continued)
Mental Health Foundation (
1 in 6 people in the past week experience a common mental health problem
Major Depression is the second leading cause of disabilities worldwide
Mind (
1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year

5. What Stress is… and isn’t
Andrea has recently been promoted at work into a role she finds very challenging. She now has trouble sleeping and constantly worries about worst case scenarios. Brian won a big new contract for his IT company. He has had a flare up in his digestive troubles, including frequent heartburn, indigestion etc. Christine has had a family bereavement. At work, she has now experienced several anxiety attacks since the event. She has palpitations, hyperventilation and wants to run home.

6. What Stress is… and isn’t
Doug has two pre-school children at home. He is approaching financial year end and has several important deadlines, two of which he is unlikely to meet. He is overdue on a mortgage repayment. His line manager has threatened 50% of the team with redundancy. Q. Is Doug suffering from stress?

7. HSE Definition
“The adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them at work.”
Stress is not an illness – it is a state. However, if stress becomes too excessive and prolonged, mental and physical illness may develop.
Source:

8. Our Human Design
When a perceived threat occurs, our brains respond by releasing various chemicals, including Cortisol and Adrenaline. These chemicals help us prepare for the body’s natural Fight or Flight Response. Activity: Design the ideal response to a perceived threat…

9. The Human response to Threat
Fight or Flight!

10. Fight or Flight vs Rest & Digest
Dry mouth (no saliva)
Nausea, Sickness
Indigestion, Heartburn
Stomach cramps, Butterflies
Evacuate waste!
Thoughts – Focus on Fear, Quick Thinking
Senses – hypersensitive
Muscles – tense and ready for action
Heart Rate quickens (increase blood flow)
Breathing quickens (oxygen to muscles)
Sweating to cool down
Cortisol: blood thickens
immune system
alcohol/caffeine/sleep

11. A new understanding of symptoms (a common cause!)
Andrea has recently been promoted at work into a role she finds very challenging. She now has trouble sleeping and constantly worries about worst case scenarios. Brian won a big new contract for his IT company. He has had a flare up in his digestive troubles, including frequent heartburn, indigestion etc. Christine has had a family bereavement. At work, she has now experienced several anxiety attacks since the event. She has palpitations, hyperventilation and wants to run home.

12. Some philosophical questions of faith…
Does God want us to suffer?
Does God want us to be free from unpleasant symptoms?
If God created us with this kind of natural response, should be only asking for symptom relief?
Are there Biblical examples of people suffering from Anxiety or Stress or Depression?

13. Biblical examples
David suffered severe anxiety and distress. We can read much of this in the Psalms
The writer of Lamentations shares his despair
Solomon, despite (or perhaps as a result of) his insights and wisdom begins Ecclesiastes with “Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless!”
Paul suffered his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7)
Timothy was troubled by digestive issues and illness (1 Tim 5: 23)

14. A faith response to stress and illness
If we are designed to respond in certain ways to our circumstances, what if we learned to listen to our bodies more?
When feeling anxious, rather than doubt our faith, what if we lifted our anxieties to God?
When feeling low or depressed, rather than feeling a failure, what if we expressed ourselves to God and drew comfort from those around who love us?
When burning out or stressed, rather than only praying for strength, what if we laid out our situations before God and ask if we are resting enough and loving ourselves as well?
Instead of only fighting our symptoms, what if we re-evaluated our routines and disciplines?

15. The role model of Jesus
In 3 intense years of ministry, Jesus worked very hard and was committed to others
On the Mount of Olives, Jesus expressed his anxiety and stress: “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray (Luke 5: 16)
Jesus spent time with friends and loved ones (John 12:2)
Jesus enjoyed banquets and feasts and celebrations (Matthew 9:10)
Jesus cared for his own needs as well as the needs of others and commands us likewise

16. Thank you! January 19th Stress and Health
April 27th Supporting others with their well-being
June 29th Coping with Uncertainty
November 30th Dealing with Awkward Colleagues