Fear Not

I received this intriguing advice recently in a group email from author Donna Partow (a friend and I have been going through her study entitled Becoming a Vessel God Can Use):

Surviving menopause gracefully should perhaps be your number one incentive to obey God's oft repeated command: Do not fear.
As we know, every instruction God gives is for our good. In the case of fear, there are spiritual, emotional and physical reasons. Fear releases a chemical into our bloodstream called adrenaline.

Now this is important: before you were ever born, the precise amount of adrenaline your body would ever produce was hardwired into your DNA. Once you have wiped out your adrenal glands (a state called adrenal exhaustion), there is no natural way to remedy the situation.

It so happens that proper adrenal function is an essential requirement for a smooth transition through 'the change of life.'

Ms. Partow's comments made me think of Dr. Hans Selye, author of Susccess Without Distress and world renowned biologist who devoted his life to describing the physiology of stress. He defined stress as "the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it." He theorized that each person is born with a genetically determined amount of "adaptation energy" -- the energy available in our bodies to adjust to stressors we encounter. When we exhaust all stores of the deep adaptation energy, according to Selye, we become senile and die. Interesting.

Then it would stand to reason that a repetitive fear response -- remember the "fight or flight response" to distress? -- would make huge demands on our stores of adaptation energy. Research suggests that there are superficial stores of this energy, which is readily available and can be replenished with adequate rest and diversion from the stressor, as well as the deep stores that are not replaceable.

I'm not sure if Dr. Selye and Ms. Partow are referring to the same thing or not. But it seems to me that if a person becomes completely adrenally exhausted (and adrenaline is the chemical released into the bloodstream when one experiences fear) and consequently has inadequate resources to respond to the hormonal changes (as in lots of hot flashes), it sounds an awful lot like a depletion of the deep adaptation energy reserves.

It seems just plain smart to address any recurring or ongoing fears no matter what. But to also enable a smoother passage through the menopausal season of life is a win-win in my book.


Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored and I have I loved you. Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you...

-- Isaiah 43:1b-5a