Sometimes if I exhaust myself physically and get a virus or a cold, I slow down or take some time off to rest. But the minute I start feeling a little better, I go back to work full force. Then I get tired or have a relapse and wonder why! I call this "medical stress."

Dave tries to tell me, "Take it easy for a while. Your body is still under strain because you haven't been feeling well. You may need to go to bed a little early for a week or two or get a little extra rest in the evening."

But like so many people, because I have things to do, I just keep pushing myself even though it is causing me physical damage.

Of course, when sickness tries to come on Dave or me, we immediately pray for healing. But if you become sick as a result of running your body down by pushing it beyond the limits God set for you to operate in good health, you need rest as well as prayer to restore your health.

The boundaries He has set for us are for our own good. If we disobey by going outside of those boundaries, we open ourselves up to suffer the consequences.

The body will not operate properly if it is repeatedly pushed beyond its capabilities. As previously stated, God is very merciful, but repeated disobedience can also cause us to "reap what we have sown" (Gal. 6:8).

Source: Help Me, I'm Stressed by Joyce Meyer
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers