| Volume 2, No. 10 |
December 10, 2002 |
Why
Zebras Don't Get Ulcers - is the intriguing title of a
book I've been reading by Robert M. Sapolsky (W.H. Freeman and Company, NY,
2000). Dr. Sapolsky goes into great detail about how stress affects and
produces a whole variety of illnesses. It leads to strokes, heart
attacks, ulcers, colitis, interference with sexual abilities, breakdown of
memory, premature aging and a whole host of other diseases. As I read about
these things, I was remembering that the Christmas season is the most
stressful season of the entire year. You know what I mean. We get stressed
about preparing for and going to parties, taking long trips to relatives,
deciding which relatives to visit, arguments about what gifts to buy and for
whom. The list goes on and on and on.
At
the end of his book Dr. Sapolsky has some suggestions for managing stress.
To his ideas, permit me to add a few details from the Biblical viewpoint.
1.
Do not try to assert control over something that does not need correcting. Look
at the sparrows--and zebras. Our Lord Jesus points out that our heavenly
Father feeds them and emphasizes that we are much more valuable than they
(Matt. 6:25-27).
2.
The same is true about things that simply cannot be corrected. In other
words, let them be. "Don't worry about tomorrow,"
says our Lord. "Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own" (Matt.6:34).
3.
When dealing with disease, focus on what you can do about the future
course of the disease. Do not focus on what caused the disease in
the past or what you might have done to cause it. Maybe it was some failure
on your part, even some sin. However, the apostle Paul sets the example
for us when he says, "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind, I
strain toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).
In other words, live constantly in the Good News of God's forgiving
love.
4.
In the aftermath of some medical disaster, say when a person is too weak to
act constructively in a problem-solving way, it is occasionally advantageous
to deny information. In the face of terrible news, such as
sudden and unexpected death, denial may be temporarily useful. In fact, when
dealing with grief, we need to recognize it as part of the path that leads
to recovery. Do not force a loved one to face the reality at once.
5.
Later, when a sick or bereaved person is gaining strength, it is helpful to
start working on how to gain a sense of control of the future course of the
disease or life without a loved one. This involves facing the facts and
accepting that what has happened cannot be changed. That is, however, a
process that often takes a long time.
6.
Recognize the signs of stress in how you are responding to situations. We
are all familiar with what happens when we must flee from someone
or something that frightens or threatens us. We are also familiar with what
it is like to face someone and fight. We have automatic responses for such
situations built into us by our Creator. Stress, however, does
its dirty work when we're constantly fleeing and fighting, even when
outwardly there is nothing going on. That's why zebras DO NOT get ulcers.
They are incapable of internalizing such things. We humans, however, do that
regularly.
7.
Find time to let life's frustrations get out. Hobbies, therapy, sports,
dancing--all may be helpful. Even more useful is a daily routine of being in
the Word of God and allowing the heavenly Father to speak to you. For
instance, learn to pray the psalms. The perennial favorite, Psalm 23 is an
example: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."
8.
Learn about hope. Again, as the Apostle says, "Rejoice in the hope of
the glory of God" (Romans 5:2). Learn that in all things our God is a
work for our good and trust in that process. He is creating hope within us.
9.
Finally, recognize the wonderful value of community. The support of family
and friends is extremely important in dealing with life's stressors. The
Apostle Paul was not afraid to draw upon the support of his brothers and
sisters in the family of God. He wrote: "I urge you brothers, by our
Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle
by praying to God for me" (Romans 15:30).
Perhaps
some of these ideas will be helpful to you and your family as you move
through this wondrous season when we again celebrate what Dr. C.S. Lewis
called The Grand Miracle of God becoming man. We are not alone. He is
ever with us. Rejoice. Say it again with me. Rejoice!
If
you need help in discovering further resources to help you deal with stress
in your life, let me know. Drop me a line. We will help you find support or
we will help you teach about these matters in your congregation.
Links
to other important web-sites - will soon be up. Watch for them.
They will point you to resources within our own church-body, the Lutheran
Church--Missouri Synod, and to various organizations that support the work
of proclaiming and spreading the Gospel. We welcome your comments on these
links and suggestions for adding others.
Boards
on our Discussion Forum page - This week we will be
adding a Board on The Acts of the Apostles. Watch
for it. It will be monitored by Jim Duhon, an elder and Bible class teacher
at Living Word Lutheran, The Woodlands, TX.
You
can find the Discussion Forum at http://www.crosstiesministries.org/v-board/start.html.
If you would like to add a Board to the Discussion Forum, drop me a line.
May
the Lord richly bless your Advent preparations for the celebration of our
Lord's birth.
Dr.
Alvin H. Franzmeier
CrossTies
Theological Director. Write to me at alandsyl@airmail.net
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