Hunting & Adrenaline

Growing up I didn’t realize how blessed I was dining on deer, moose, caribou and even bear.

At 90 years of age my father was still a good shot, and hunted on our farm. I was enjoying some venison and mentioned how tender it was. My dad said the tenderness was not just about how my mom had cooked it, but the state of the animal when killed. With a good shot, the instantaneous death is not only humane, but the meat is tender and sweet. If a deer gets frightened or runs after being shot the meat will not be fit to eat because the adrenalin released makes the meat tough and unpalatable.

It got me thinking that if adrenaline released by fear and stress can made meat tough and unpalatable, what does it do to our bodies? You can feel the adrenaline being held in the knotted, hard muscles of bodies when you go to massage them.

When we feel fear and stress, but are in no actual danger, our bodies can become restless, and irritable with anxiety and panic attacks. It can weaken the immune and digestive system and cause insomnia because the blood sugar is raised giving the body energy that has no outlet. Playing video games can also do this. It can put enormous pressure on the heart muscle causing palpitations, and eventually even heart failure.

We can’t get rid of stress so we need to learn how to deal with it whether through music, working out, deep breathing, or learning how to respond vs. reacting by praying for the person who just cut you off instead of #@%!*# them.

Taking thoughts captive gives your mind a moment to realize there is no reason to fight or flight. Make a habit of taking all your fears and concerns to the Lord for He cares for you.

Ps. 55:22 & 1 Pet. 5:7.