A Word About
Mental Health and Physical Healing
I keep running across this time and time again! And candidly, I tend to resist the correlation. But it is getting harder and harder to ignore! Our mental state has a significant impact on how our bodies heal.
Here’s why:
- Stress and the Immune System
- Chronic stress releases cortisol, a hormone that (with prolonged exposure), suppresses the immune system. A weakened immune system makes the body more susceptible to infection and inflammation, which slows down healing. Anxiety and depression interfere with the body’s natural repair processes.
- Whereas, a positive mental state has been scientifically shown to help regulate cortisol levels, supporting a stronger and more effective immune response. Optimism and positivity can promote faster healing.
- Pain Perception
- Mental state greatly influences how we perceive pain. Anxiety and depression can amplify pain sensations, making recovery more difficult.
- Positive coping mechanisms, like mindfulness, prayer and relaxation techniques, can help manage pain and improve comfort.
- Lifestyle Factors
- Motivation and Adherence
- A positive outlook increases motivation to stay faithful to treatment plans, such as taking medications, attending therapy, and engaging in rehabilitation exercises.
- Hopelessness and despair can lead to non-compliance and resistance to recovery protocols.
Conclusion: Our mental state plays a crucial role in our body’s ability to heal. Stress, negative emotions, and poor mental health circumvent the healing process. Conversely, positive emotions, proactive stress management, and a supportive mental environment can promote faster and more effective recovery.
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears…”
Psalm 34:4
What a great promise! There are three things that stand out to me in this verse and all three are very encouraging.
The first is we have the freedom to seek God without fear. He’s approachable and best of all, He’s findable! He doesn’t hide Himself from us but welcomes and even invites us to draw near. It’s such a gift.
Second, He answers. (Most of the time.) Granted, it may not always be according to our timeline, but He does answer. The beautiful thing about the Lord’s response is it’s always trustworthy. He never gives bad advice. Aren’t you grateful for that? When the Lord speaks, I know I can move in the direction He tells me to because He would never steer me wrong. There’s no wisdom like the Lord’s wisdom.
And last, but not least, He’s a deliverer. God’s deliverance, especially from fear, has consumed a significant part of my relationship with Him over the last few months. Yet somehow, He never gets tired of me, and He never runs out of provision. He will continue to be my deliverer.
My prayer for you this week is that you have the courage to seek the Lord for what you need, knowing He will answer in His perfect time and His deliverance is always available to you.
Caregivers Corner with
Lori Smith
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
Hospitals are somewhat of a paradox. Here you have people in the most need of comfort, quiet, rest, and nourishment, and they are anything but that. If you wander around a hospital as I did in the countless long days and nights we spent there, you’ll notice that there aren’t usually many places you can go for some respite. Open areas are abuzz with people on phones, computers, and family members and hospital staff chatting and taking lunch breaks. Outside areas are bustling with traffic, patients coming and going, and hospital staff on smoke breaks. I did find one place, however, in each of the four hospitals in which my husband received treatment where one could find a moment of silence. The chapel.
Psalm 131:2 says, But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
How do we still and quiet our souls in the midst of hardship and grief?
Where can we go when the world is so loud we feel like the walls are closing in?
Trust
Rest
Obey
So easy to say, yet so hard to do. Or is it?
We mistakenly believe that if we aren’t worrying then we don’t care enough. We forget that God cares even more than we do! We react like Martha, who was downright upset with Jesus for not showing up sooner when Lazarus was sick. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:25) We hold on tighter to our indignation when He doesn’t come when we think He should. But this Psalm is the opposite of that. We can trust Him like a little child trusts his mother and follows her wherever she leads. He is calm. He fears nothing as long as she is there. We can quiet our souls and rest in the power of our Heavenly Father.
I challenge you to find a way to calm and quiet yourself before the Lord this week. Picture yourself holding his hand like a contented child. Crawl into his lap for a moment of tenderness and love. Even if you have to visit the hospital chapel to do it.
Worship Moment with
Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: No One (Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music)
Band: Elevation Music
From: Lion (2022)
I love this song so much because it just celebrates our God and declares His goodness and the many ways God has showed up for us over and over! God continually fills in the gaps that sometimes seek to consume us, but He doesn’t stop at gap-filling. He has and always will be EVERYTHING WE NEED!
Altogether, right here
Say, “Yahweh” (Yahweh)
Yahweh (Yahweh)
Say, “Holy is Your Name” (holy is Your Name)
I don’t wanna take it in vain (I don’t wanna take it in vain)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Yahweh (Yahweh)
Holy is Your Name (holy is Your Name)
I don’t wanna take it in vain (I don’t wanna take it in vain)
(This is what the chorus says, this is what it says)
‘Cause there will be no other god before You
(You got that? Try that right here, say)
There will be no other god before You
(This is what the next part says, hey)
‘Cause there is no one above You
No one beside You
Nobody like You
There will be no other god before You
(Come on, let’s sing right here)
There’s no one, no one, no one
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
There’s no one, no one, no one
Poetic Encouragement with
Julie Clarke
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
I’m Odd
I don’t know you, but I think I know
Deep inside you ache
For an understanding, I adore you
Friendship in the make
For a tender touch and a brush stroke rush
That paints a precious moment
For a hand that reaches, always there,
And Never strays or wonders where
To be fully known and Fully loved,
Beyond all comprehension
You always hear me, I’m never too quiet
You anticipate my tension
Like breathing sends the tension out
You whisper, “you’ve been heard”
You blow a breath of living proof
Into my heart with words
You fill my life with poetry,
straight from your precious heart
And teach me like a little girl,
so beautiful and smart
Release the dark shenanigans
And open up my soul
Remind me of the price you paid
To bridge the massive hole
The one who’s always present
You’re my savior and my God
And I’m the one you hold up
When my mind tells me I’m odd
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
Getting enough high quality protein in is SO important for:
– blood sugar regulation
– liver tissue repair and regeneration
– producing & transporting thyroid hormones
– hormones that regulate ovulation and menstruation
– reproductive organ health
– muscle health and growth
– and so much more!!!
But unfortunately, we often struggle to get enough protein in throughout the day-especially at breakfast. I always try to get at least 30 grams per meal, and if you can hover around your body weight in grams per day, that’s an amazing generalized goal to shoot for!
Here are some great high protein options:
| Chicken | 32g 4oz |
| Black beans | 14g 1 cup |
| Tuna | 43g .5 filet |
| Turkey | 25g 4 oz |
| Greek yogurt | 20g 1 cup |
| Salmon | 22g 3.5 oz |
| Almonds | 6g 1 oz |
| Eggs | 6g 1 egg |
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion
Pastor Craig Groeschel recently came out with a book on doubt entitled, “The Benefit of Doubt”. In it he makes an interesting comment that caught my attention, Having doubts about God is not a sign of flawed faith; rather it’s a hallmark of an authentic human experience.
So true!
Everyone striving to live out their beliefs will encounter numerous questions and uncertainties along the way. I know this sounds obvious, but in my years of pastoral ministry I have met many believers who harbor an unfortunate (damaging?) misconception, equating absolute certainty with true faith.
This creates a false dichotomy, where any doubt feels like a failure. Not so! I believe faith and doubt necessarily coexist. They are intertwined – our lifelong companions. True faith isn’t always about trying to eliminate every doubt; it’s about learning to live within the tension of mystery, embracing the questions – taking them on one at a time – even as we hold on to belief!
A Priestly Prayer for the Week
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer ad petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God )Philippians 4:6)
“Heavenly Father, I come before you, acknowledging your power and love. You are the Great Physician, the healer of all our diseases. We lift up my fellow warriors to you, asking for your merciful touch.
Lord, we remember your words in Jeremiah 17:14, O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!’ Therefore, we pray for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. We ask that you would mend what is broken, restore what is weakened, and bring wholeness where there is pain.
We also recall your promise in Matthew 8:17, that you ‘took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.’ Lord Jesus, we thank you for bearing our burdens and for your sacrifice that makes healing possible. We ask that your healing power would flow through all who are afflicted – bringing relief and restoration.
Finally, Lord, if there are any areas of sin or unforgiveness that are hindering healing, we ask for a fresh reminder of your forgiveness as a prompt to forgive others. And in the end, help us to trust in your perfect will, even when we don’t fully understand the outcomes. In Jesus name!”
This week’s podcast:
MY MOM (Kitty Kok)
I interviewed my mom on my podcast, and though she is turning 90 this year, she is sharp as a tack and a wellspring of wisdom.
She is one of those soft-spoken types, that doesn’t speak often, but when she does it is always worth listening.
We talked healing, longevity, parenting, and politics. Definitely a worthwhile listen. You can catch it on Apple podcasts or on YouTube.
Become a donor!
The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects related to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
https://www.patreon.com/c/pietvanwaarde
