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Published: Sept. 24, 2018, 3:30 p.m.

Statistics from The American Institute for Stress:

77% of people say the regularly experience the physical symptoms of stress

44% of Americans feel more stressed than they did 5 years ago

1 in 5 Americans experience EXTREME stress

60% of all disease and illness is caused by stress.

3 out of 4 doctors visits are for stress related ailments.

Stress increases the risk of heart attack by 25% and a stroke by 50%.

50 Common Signs and Symptoms of Stress:

1. Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain

2. Gritting, grinding teeth

3. Stuttering or stammering

4. Tremors, trembling of lips, hands

5. Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms

6. Light headedness, faintness, dizziness

7. Ringing, buzzing or \u201cpopping sounds

8. Frequent blushing, sweating

9. Cold or sweaty hands, feet

10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing

11. Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores

12. Rashes, itching, hives, \u201cgoose bumps\u201d

13. Unexplained or frequent \u201callergy\u201d attacks

14. Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea

15. Excess belching, flatulence

16. Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control

17. Difficulty breathing, frequent sighing

18. Sudden attacks of life threatening panic

19. Chest pain, palpitations, rapid pulse

20. Frequent urination

21. Diminished sexual desire or performance

22. Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness

23. Increased anger, frustration, hostility

24. Depression, frequent or wild mood swings

25. Increased or decreased appetite
26. Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams

27. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts

28. Trouble learning new information

29. Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion

30. Difficulty in making decisions

31. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed

32. Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts

33. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness

34. Little interest in appearance, punctuality

35. Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping

36. Increased frustration, irritability, edginess

37. Overreaction to petty annoyances

38. Increased number of minor accidents

39. Obsessive or compulsive behavior

40. Reduced work efficiency or productivity

41. Lies or excuses to cover up poor work

42. Rapid or mumbled speech

43. Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness

44. Problems in communication, sharing

45. Social withdrawal and isolation

46. Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue

47. Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs

48. Weight gain or loss without diet

49. Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use

50. Excessive gambling or impulse buying

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.\xa0In this world you will have trouble.\xa0But take heart! I have overcome\xa0the world. John 16:33 (NIV)

How long,\xa0Lord? Will you forget me\xa0forever? How long will you hide your face\xa0from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me\xa0and answer,\xa0Lord\xa0my God. Give light to my eyes,\xa0or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, \u201cI have overcome him,\u201d\xa0and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing\xa0the\xa0Lord\u2019s praise,\xa0for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:1-6 (NIV)

Elijah was afraid\xa0and ran\xa0for his life.\xa0When he came to Beersheba\xa0in Judah, he left his servant there\u2026\xa01 Kings 19:3-18\xa0(NIV)

1. Have a SUPPORT SYSTEM

\u2026while he himself went a day\u2019s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush,\xa0sat down under it and prayed that he might die. \u201cI have had enough,\xa0Lord,\u201d he said. \u201cTake my life;\xa0I am no better than my ancestors.\u201d 1 Kings 19:3-18\xa0(NIV)

1. Be HONEST

Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel\xa0touched him and said, \u201cGet up and eat.\u201d\xa0He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 1 Kings 19:3-18\xa0(NIV)

1. Listen to YOUR BODY

The angel of the\xa0Lord\xa0came back a second time and touched him and said, \u201cGet up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.\u201d\xa0So he got up and ate and drank. 1 Kings 19:3-18\xa0(NIV)

1. Find a HEALTHY RHYTHM

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;\xa0for anyone who enters God\u2019s rest also rests from their works,\xa0just as God did from his.\xa0Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:9-11 (NIV)

Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty\xa0days and forty nights until he reached Horeb,\xa0the mountain of God.\xa0There he went into a cave\xa0and spent the night. And the word of the\xa0Lord\xa0came to him: \u201cWhat are you doing here, Elijah?\u201d The\xa0Lord\xa0said, \u201cGo out and stand on the mountain\xa0in the presence of the\xa0Lord, for the\xa0Lord\xa0is about to pass by.\u201d 1 Kings 19:3-18\xa0(NIV)

1. Get in the PRESENCE OF GOD

Then a great and powerful wind\xa0tore the mountains apart and shattered\xa0the rocks before the\xa0Lord, but the\xa0Lord\xa0was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the\xa0Lord\xa0was not in the earthquake.\xa0After the earthquake came a fire,\xa0but the\xa0Lord\xa0was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face\xa0and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, \u201cWhat are you doing here, Elijah?\u201d \u2026The\xa0Lord\xa0said to him, \u201cGo back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael\xa0king over Aram. 1 Kings 19:3-18\xa0(NIV)

1. Discover HIS PURPOSE for your life

Also, anoint\xa0Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha\xa0son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah\xa0to succeed you as prophet\u2026\xa0Yet I reserve\xa0seven thousand in Israel\u2014all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed\xa0him.\u201d 1 Kings 19:3-18\xa0(NIV)

1. Relax\u2026 and trust that God is in control.

But you,\xa0Lord, are a shield\xa0around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the\xa0Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. Psalm 3:3-4\xa0(NIV)

\u201cAre you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you\u2019ll recover your life. I\u2019ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me\u2014watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won\u2019t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you\u2019ll learn to live freely and lightly.\u201d Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)