Foul Weather Folly

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceed out of the mouth of God…’” (Matt. 4:4)

Have you ever experienced a physiological change coinciding with the weather changes? For example, does your migraine tend to flare during a cold front, or do you ever notice moodiness, fatigue when a pressure system (rain) passes through? It’s not uncommon for people to “feel” the effects of the changes in weather. Our bodies consist of organic matter that adapts to its surroundings. That means when you go through a change in environment, your body immediately reacts and makes physical adjustments in your anatomical chemistry to adapt to the change it just experienced.

For example, say you enter into an air-conditioned room; most likely, your skin will produce those chill bumps because it’s cold. But when you exit into the hot and humid outdoors, and your skin begins to perspire. This type of reactive behavior is your body’s way of adjusting your system to keep you “blowing and going” without so much as a hiccup in your physical well-being. The Lord made our bodies so extremely complex and self-sufficient in this way so that we can go about our normal activities without even realizing that our body just went through a major shift to keep us in balance.

However, studies show that the more slender body types have a harder time adjusting to weather changes than those of broader builds. The reason for this is that there is not as much bodily reserve of muscle, fat, and/or fluids to respond to a change of environment. Instead, the slimmer frames have to utilize the tissues of the organs and nervous system to retrieve the energy necessary to maintain a “balance of performance.” In other words, it is far more common for a slender individual to suffer mood swings, migraines, and fatigue during a cold front than the one, who has a larger frame.

One of the ailments that I experience with my illness is adrenal insufficiency. The adrenal gland is generally responsible for responding to stress (your adrenaline rush in exercise or crises), and is a key component in helping your body and mental functions adapt to change. When this gland stops working properly, your body will lose a copious amount of weight regardless of your caloric intake. As a result, I am, unfortunately, far more thin than I would prefer. And, you guessed it, whenever the weather changes, I have a very difficult time with flu-like symptoms and severe fatigue. I just cannot make the physical adjustment for too many environmental changes at one time; I have neither the fatty reserve nor the glandular support for such an exhibition. And it gets pretty frustrating trying to make any plans! At this stage, my energy is so consistently inconsisitent with the weather that I have to check our forecast before I can fill out my calendar!

I told the Lord, “When I pull out of this "crash," I am going to make a conscious effort to put on some weight. This is ridiculous!” Then, the Lord prompted me with this concept.

As it is with our bodies, so it is with our spirits.

Life is full of change! You could lose your job or get a new one. Your kids may get in trouble at school or start participating in more activities, which means that you have to adjust your schedule to attend those events. Your friends get married or you graduate from college. You get pregnant; you move to a new city, or your marriage ends in a divorce. Not all changes are bad, but they are never easy and they all require some type of adjustment.

How do you fair when the seasons of life shift? Do you suffer anxiety or depression? Are your easily gripped with fear when you hear some unpleasant news? When you discover that a close friend has taken advantage of you, are your outraged at the individual or even at God for allowing such a betrayal to occur? “God, how could you do this to me?! You’re supposed to be a loving, merciful, protective Father? Why didn’t you protect me?! Don’t you love me?”

We all have the capacity to react to change in a myriad of ways, and we all can be tossed in our emotions by the waves of life. This is our spirit’s way of adjusting to the new “normal.” But some people fair better with change than others. They are those who are consistent in their faiths; they always seem to have peace about every situation no matter how bleak it may seem. No, they are not void of emotions, but, after all is said and done, you’ll hear that solidarity of heart in their words. These are the people, who say, “Though He slay me, yet shall I trust Him.” (Job 13:15)

What is their secret? How can someone who’s gone through a divorce or has lost her child still retain a joyful countenance? How can the patient, who is withering away with cancer, look up from his hospital bed and proclaim, “The Lord is good! His Love endures forever! I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus!” Are they faking it? Not hardly. These are the believers who have filled their hearts with the Word of God. They know the Truth of His sovereignty, His nature, and His unending love for them, even in the face of dramatic change. That’s why Christ says that man lives, not on food, but by the Word of God! (ref. Matt. 4:4) Those who eat of His Word will put on all the spiritual mass they need to remain stable during the “weather changes” of life.

The Word of God is spiritual food readily available for our benefit! It is God’s provision for our spirit beings to enhance their capacity so that we can maintain mental and emotional balance in the face of both elations and trials. God did not promise us that life would never change or that it would be easy, but He has given us all that we need to face them in strength, in peace, and spiritual well-being if we will but partake of the nutrients of His Word.

“‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’” (Jn. 16:33)

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord..." (1 Cor. 15:58)