Thinking about Stress 

One of my favourite bits of the TV show the IT Crowd is about stress. We used this clip in a service a few years ago when we were talking about stress. (You can watch it by clicking here).

I guess most of us have heard about how damaging stress can be for our health and we may even have experienced struggles with being stressed or stressful situations and circumstances.

This week I was sent this link to a TED talk about changing the way we think about stress. I found it absolutely fascinating. In summary health pyschologist Kelly McGonigal was saying that it is actually how we think about stress rather than the stress itself that damages our health. What I found especially interesting was the bit that comes around 8 minutes into the talk where she talks about studies that have been done on the hormone produced by both men and women called oxytocin. Without getting too technical (you will need to watch the video for that!), Kelly was explaining that this hormone is pumped out when we get stressed and that it actually helps us deal with the effects of stress and literally strengthens our hearts. But what she also said was that its benefits are enhanced by social contact and social support - when we care for others and are cared for its effects are multiplied. So caring for others and being cared for are great stress healers.

She also said in the question that is posed by the moderator after she has finished speaking that chasing meaning is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort.

What strikes me about this is are a few things:

Firstly how amazing is God. If you believe, as I do, that we are created by God, how incredible are our bodies...that they come with in built stress healing mechanisms?

Secondly demonstrating care and compassion is a stress healer.

Thirdly if you are a Jesus follower, the things that we are called to are things that will make us healthier. Jesus followers are called to care for others, to pursue meaning not comfort, to be bold and courageous and these are the very things that help us deal with and recover from stress.

So maybe its time to look at stress differently and to remember that God has made us with in built stress coping devices, but that in order to release them, we need to do the very things he calls us to in the first place: connection with others, care for others and pursuing purpose and meaning not comfort.

Amazing!

God bless
Chris

P.S I am going to use a clip from this in our service this coming Sunday in the last part of our defying gravity series, it fits so well with what we will be talking about. Don't miss it - our service this Sunday is at 10.15am because it is a Big Story Sunday (last Sunday of the month).




 

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I am New 

Welcome from all of us at Easthampstead Baptist Church!

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about us. As you explore our website, we hope that you catch a broader glimpse of what EBC is all about. It's about people - people just like you - who want to embark on a journey to discover more of God and his will for our lives.
 

What should I expect on a Sunday Morning?

Sometimes going to a church for the first time can be a little daunting. I promise we won't bite! To help ease any uncertainties below are the answers to some common questions people have before attending a Sunday morning.
 
What do I have to wear?
We are a 'come as you are' sort of people and have no formal dress-code for our Sunday services.
We can assure you that we don't have bouncers on the door vetting your attire!
If you are still not sure, feel free to check out our services on YouTube to have an idea.
 
What time do I need to be there?
At the moment we have one Sunday morning service which starts at 10.00am.
 
On the 4th Sunday of the month we run our All-sorts service which starts at 10:00am.

Check out our other services below!
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We would recommend you turn up 10 minutes before the service starts so you have a chance to say hi!
If you have children that need signing in to the children and youth work, they need to be signed in from 9:50am.
 
Parking
There is plenty of parking both out the front and at the back of the building. Just follow the signs!
 
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How safe is my child in your care?
We run separate children and youth work during our 10:00am service, which is run by a group of volunteers who have all been DBS checked.

Children ages 11 and under must be signed in and out by their parent/carer. The youth can sign themselves in and out.
 

For information about our safeguarding policy click here