In Genesis 2:7 we are told that “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground.” The dust mentioned here is simply mud or clay. Since God planned to create humans in His image, why didn’t He use the finest gold, precious rubies, or some sturdier material? He certainly could have used anything—but He chose clay.
Perhaps one reason was clay’s ability to be molded and formed into diverse structures. When appropriate pressure or heat is applied, it can be soft or hard. It can be pliable like plastic or firm like rock. Clay gains these various properties through chemical and physical changes that determine the product’s final use, such as weather-resistant building material, fine porcelain bowls, or even paper. The human body would necessarily require material that has broad use when we consider the countless types of cells, tendons, molecules, muscles, etc., that comprise it.
Limits of Human Stress
Human life is significantly more complex than the clay from which we were made. Consequently, we have a large variety of sources of stress that impact our lives. These include work or family situations, financial and economic needs, interpersonal relationships, health and biological factors, environmental factors, political or societal unrest, and factors about ourselves (lack of control, perfectionism, negative self-talk, etc.).
Stress is a normal part of life. Stress is what happens when a new child comes into the world. Stress is present when that child learns to crawl, walk, and finally run. The processes that cause their tiny feet to grow and build muscle are considered a form of stress on the body.
Then, as they establish relationships with various family members or begin reaching out to form friendships outside the family circle, it takes emotional and mental exertions—all forms of neurological stress—to learn how to appropriately relate to different people who may come from very different backgrounds.
Considering the incredible number of biological and psychological changes a human undergoes throughout a lifetime, we can say that our human bodies—though formed from clay—are built to endure incredible stress. Why is it, then, that so much of what we experience as stress feels much more negative? Why do we often feel more overwhelmed than empowered? And why is it that our bodies can physically break down as a result of these experiences?
Let’s consider clay once again. For pottery or brick to be usable and durable, it needs to be fired by exposure to high temperatures. Depending on the type of clay and the desired end product, firing is done in stages with increasing heat. For example, making porcelain requires two rounds of prolonged firing with heat ranging from 392°F to 1,832°F (200°C to 1,000°C). The process also removes impurities. Too much heat, however, can lead to cracks, splitting, or burning. Interestingly, underfired clay can lead to insufficient processing and results in a vessel prone to mold, foul tastes, and odors.

The “human function curve” similarly demonstrates that the right balance of stress is important for optimal human growth and function. In this model that is often depicted as a “bell curve,” our mental and physical abilities increase in proportion to the amount of stress we are experiencing.1 Preparing for an exam, for example, may cause us to focus more as we get closer to the exam date. There is typically a “comfort zone,” where we perform at a relatively high level under significant stress. This is the balance we want to achieve.
If our stress levels are too low, we may feel frustrated, bored, or dissatisfied with our situation. But past the comfort zone, if stress continues to increase, we will not be able to maintain our mental and physical abilities, and we can quickly sink into fatigue and exhaustion. Continued high levels of stress will eventually manifest in health problems, we reach burnout, and our body and brain functions begin to fall apart.
God knew what He was doing when He formed us from clay.
This is because being overstressed for prolonged periods, also known as chronic stress, can lead to the breakdown of all major systems of the body. The American Psychological Association gives an excellent summary of the impact on the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems of the body.2 In other words, everything from brain to belly to bone is affected by stress, and a constant state of stress leads to unavoidable damage, as we explore next.
Brain, Belly, and Bone
It’s impossible to avoid the impact of chronic stress on the brain because it is actively involved during times of stress, including acute (temporary), chronic (long-term), and traumatic stress. Through a system known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the hypothalamus region of the brain stimulates the pituitary (located just below the brain), which then signals the adrenal glands to produce cortisol—often called the “stress hormone.”
Cortisol helps your body regulate various functions throughout the day, including immunity, blood pressure, blood sugar, and sleep. Chronic stress can lead to consistently high levels of cortisol in the body, which decreases the ability of the HPA axis to calm down to “normal” levels. This leads to a higher risk for immune dysfunction, emotional and behavioral problems such as depression and anxiety, and cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
The brain also plays a part in how stress affects our belly, or gut. Numerous nerves physically connect the brain and digestive system, allowing for constant communication between the two. The walls and linings of our intestinal tract can be compromised because of high stress or the associated inflammation, which can impact the gut-brain connection. Additionally, bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in our gut require a healthy balance that can be offset because of the compromised gut lining or the hormones produced by immune cells to combat chronic stress.
Chronic stress is also associated with osteoporosis—a condition of weak and brittle bones. Our bones are constantly undergoing a dynamic process of remodeling in response to various hormones, availability of specific nutrients, and weight-bearing exercise. This process keeps the bones healthy. When exposed to psychological stress, however, the rebuilding process is inhibited. Long-term stress can, therefore, lead to brittle bones as the result of the inadequate replacement of bone cells.
These are only some of the complex biological pathways that are negatively affected by chronic stress. Many of these problems may go unnoticed until we are well past the “comfort zone” identified in the human function curve. This zone is unique to each one of us. We need to measure and moderate the endless hurry we allow in our lives, and intentionally seek balance if we wish to avoid long-term casualties. We need to learn from the careful potter who keeps a close watch on the vessel they are forming so that the stress applied does not overwhelm the raw material, rendering it unusable.
Unhurried Fire
Stress is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. Consider how you can use the following to thrive through the firing process:
Gut feelings. Reoccurring diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, pain, and appetite changes can indicate possible problems with your digestive system. Take note when these happen and what may be triggers, such as specific foods, drinks, or emotionally disturbing situations.
Happy food. Everyone’s body reacts to food—either positively or negatively. Include more whole plant foods, such as beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, to promote a healthier gut. A dietitian can also help determine if supplements are needed to support recovery from stress-induced damage.
Schedule rest. Consider how reenergized you feel after sleep or a period of rest. If you do not feel refreshed, identify why you did not get adequate rest, then pinpoint one or two small changes you could reasonably make. Is there an optional activity you can remove from your schedule to make room for wholesome rest?
Seek support. Find others who can support your recovery, whether family, friends, or a community-based support group. If you have an underlying health condition or experience significant symptoms, seek medical care to help your brain and body return to a place of peace.
Gain strength. Pick a positive attribute about yourself to strengthen. Spend time building and enjoying your God-given abilities, sharing them with others when possible.
Finally, watch the Potter. God knew what He was doing when He formed us from clay. He tenderly watches as we are “fired” in the furnace of life. He knows our frame, remembers that we are from dust, and can make us into refined vessels filled with heavenly treasure. Ultimately, this is the purpose for the pressures, perplexity, and persecution that afflict us (2 Cor. 4:7-9). Fixing our eyes on our Maker will shape our scope of view, give us hope that endures, and help us cope with grace.
1 Lolita Rapoliene, Artūras Razbadauskas, Antanas Jurgelénas, “The Reduction of Distress Using Therapeutic Geothermal Water Procedures in a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial,” Mar. 19, 2015 (full article may be accessed at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4383502/).
2 American Psychological Association, “Stress Effects on the Body,” Nov. 1, 2018, retrieved fromhttps://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body.