The Embodied Soul: The Connection Between Stress, Faith, & Your Physical Health & The Things You Can Do About It
By Cara Lederer
April 16, 2026
“Be still, and know that I am God…” — Psalm 46:10
It’s a simple verse…
but not always an easy one to live.
Last week was full.
The kind of full where every hour already had a place before the day even began.
Good things. Meaningful things. Things I genuinely felt called to.
And yet… I could feel it.
The tension rising in my body.
The subtle shift into rushing.
The pull to live just ahead of where my feet actually were.
Thinking about tomorrow.
Planning what’s next.
Trying to hold it all together.
And in the middle of it, I was reminded:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34
You Were Never Meant to Carry It All
We were never created to carry the weight of the past, present, and future all at once.
We were created for daily dependence.
Grace for today.
Strength for today.
Provision for today.
But when we step outside of that rhythm—even with good intentions—our bodies often feel the impact before we fully recognize it.
What Stress Is Actually Doing in Your Body
Stress isn’t just emotional. It’s deeply physical.
From a functional health perspective, chronic stress affects nearly every system in the body:
- Hormones: Elevated cortisol over time can lead to fatigue, sleep disruption, and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight.
- Digestion: Stress reduces stomach acid and slows motility, often leading to bloating, discomfort, and imbalances like SIBO.
- Immune System: The body becomes more reactive, increasing inflammation and food sensitivities.
- Detoxification: The liver and detox pathways become burdened, making it harder to process toxins efficiently.
- Energy Production: The body shifts into conservation mode, leading to that “wired but exhausted” feeling so many people experience.
- Nervous System: Our nervous system has two operating modes: sympathetic (fight or flight) vs. parasympathetic (rest, digest and heal).
This is why you can feel like you’re “doing everything right”… and still not feel well.
The Nervous System + God’s Design for Peace
God didn’t just command peace—He designed your body to receive it.
Your nervous system has two primary states:
- Sympathetic (“fight or flight”)
- Parasympathetic (“rest, digest, and heal”)
The vagus nerve plays a key role in helping your body shift back into a state of peace.
Simple practices like:
- deep breathing
- singing or humming
- worship
- stillness
…can actually signal safety to your body and begin restoring balance.
This is where physiology and faith meet in such a powerful way.
Biblical Self-Care Is Stewardship
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…?” — 1 Corinthians 6:19
Biblical self-care isn’t about indulgence.
It’s about stewardship.
Jesus Himself withdrew to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16).
God established rhythms of rest from the very beginning.
Caring for your body isn’t a distraction from your calling.
It’s often what sustains you in it.
De-Stress While in the Mess (Practical Tools)
When life feels overwhelming, come back to simple rhythms:
Breathe
Slow your breath to calm your nervous system
Worship
Singing activates both your heart and your physiology
My family and I have been especially encouraged lately by worshipping along with Shane & Shane through the Worship Initiative’s Sing app — such a great way to engage both heart, body, mind and soul.
Here’s the link: https://sing.theworshipinitiave.com
Stay Present
Ask: What has God given me for today?
Nourish Your Body
Hydration, minerals, and consistent meals matter more than perfection
Renew Your Mind in Truth
Meditate on Scripture—let it anchor both mind and body
One of my favorite things to do is to start my day with my devotional, prayer, singing and worship, but take a small morsel, one verse that the Holy Spirit called my attention to during the above – and chew on it, letting it slowly digest throughout the day.
A Gentle Invitation to Reflect
Take a moment and ask yourself:
???? What stirs my affections for Christ?
???? Where do I experience true rest and peace?
For me, it looks like:
- Being outside in creation
- Worshiping through song
- Cooking a nourishing meal for my family
- Enjoying a quiet evening with my husband
These are not distractions.
They are often the very places where God meets me and restores what stress has depleted.
You Are Held
You don’t have to carry it all.
God is already holding you.
He is your peace.
Your strength.
Your ever-present help.
And when we begin to align both our hearts and our habits with that truth…
Everything starts to change.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and your body is showing signs of stress, there is a path forward.
Through functional lab testing and a personalized, root-cause approach, we can begin restoring balance from the inside out.
Schedule Your Free Discovery Call today.
Together with you in the journey.
