Under the Hood

In order to understand what stress can do to an individual, June Hunt uses the illustration of a car.

When you start hearing noises like clanking and smoke billows from the hood, you respond by going to a nearby station where you can talk to a mechanic. The first phrase that the mechanic says is to look under the hood. Unfortunately, many of us may be more concerned about the distressing condition of our car than the condition of our physical bodies. Here are some questions we need to ask ourselves…

Are you sensitive to the warnings of your emotional engine? Your physical symptoms could register that you are on the brink of burnout.

“A man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones.” Job 33:19

Checklist for Burnout

-I have difficulty relaxing

-I have tightness in my neck and shoulders

-I have lower back pain.

-I feel tired and lifeless most of the time.

-I have frequent severe headaches.

-I get indigestion often.

-I often have diarrhea or constipation.

-I could be getting an ulcer.

-I have trouble sleeping at night.

-I grind my teeth at night.

-I am susceptible to every cold and virus.

-I have allergies or asthma.

-I eat and snack excessively.

-I have lost a lot of weight.

-I often have cold hands and sweating palms.

-I have shortness of breath.

-I have rapid pulse.

-I generally feel nervous and unsettled.

Not everybody will suffer with all of these signs. If you have checked four or more, there is a need to evaluate how you are responding to the pressures in your life. Are you releasing your heavy load to the Lord and allowing His peace to permeate your heart?

 

“A heart at peace gives life to the body.” Proverbs 14:30