My assignment was to teach Lucy how to monitor her heart rate. I quickly learned the true assignment was teaching Lucy how to tame the lion chasing her heart.
Symptoms of anxiety, weakness and dizziness alarmed Lucy. She drove herself to the local hospital emergency room. Atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often rapid heart rate commonly causing poor blood flow, was the diagnosis.
Her husband Carl, who had debilitating Parkinson’s disease, managed to make a few phone calls to friends requesting prayer for Lucy. Diagnostic tests were done and in several hours, Lucy converted to normal heart rhythm with no other treatment.
Friends came to the ER lending emotional support to Lucy and Carl, God answered prayers and Lucy was discharged with orders to follow up with a cardiologist and to check her heart rate daily.
But, I soon discovered the back-story. Since approximately 80% of illness is caused by emotional distress, there usually is a back-story. Due to the Parkinson’s, Carl was requiring a great deal of assistance with physical cares.
Lucy knew physically she couldn’t provide Carl’s needed care much longer. Her back was already aching.
Lucy shared, “We have no children or close relatives, so Carl and I have been very independent and private throughout life. Depending on others is not something we’ve had to do. My mind has been weighed down with worry concerning our future together.”
I gently replied, “Stress often begins in the mind and ends in the body. External stressors such as temperature extremes, exercise and environmental difficulties can be triggers. Internal stressors could be disease, pain or emotional distress.”
I continued, “These stressors are perceived by the brain and can trigger a stress response releasing hormonal chemicals. These chemicals increase muscle tension and heart rate. You sense trouble and your body reacts with a fight and flight response causing you to run from the lion. In your case, the lion seems to be worry.”
Lucy replied thoughtfully, “So you believe my worry over Carl’s physical needs caused my heart to beat fast and irregular?” I replied smiling, “Possibly. But there’s good news. If you and Carl address the worries and actively seek solutions, you might not experience your heart’s stress response again. The lion after your heart won’t be allowed to chase you.”
“You make the cure sound so simple,” Lucy countered. Smiling, I encouraged, “That’s it! Surrender to a simpler way of life. You and Carl could implement a simpler way of living involving less independence. The upside is more loving support. Could you surrender your worry and embrace more positive thoughts and actions?”
During my visit, Lucy learned how to check her pulse rate daily using a Heart Rate App on her cellular phone. She also made an appointment to see a local cardiologist. Together we prayed for wisdom and courage to surrender and simplify.
What worrisome situations are encompassing your thoughts and affecting your physical health? Can you surrender them to God and implement His simpler solutions?
Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning. Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. (NLT: Proverbs 4: 21 – 23)
Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed. (NLT: Proverbs 16: 3 – 4)