There is a path breaking finding in this book – The Dual Anxiety Theory, propounded by William G Alston. He claims that information on ‘types of anxiety’ is hardly available elsewhere.
The stress-response biochemical system is not a human frailty but a God's creation to inculcate ‘righteous behavior’. To be ‘empowered or impaired’ is one’s sheer sensibiity.
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The elaborate complexity of human metabolism is most intricately put in the functioning of a human body. It’s the Divinity that shapes our metabolic ends marked by anabolism and catabolism. The entire cycle of construction and destruction is so wondrous that Dr. William G. Alston finds what the ‘Bible tells us that God cherishes …the pursuit of worthy goals’ is not a mere coincidence. The stress-response biochemical system is not a human frailty but a God's creation to inculcate ‘righteous behavior’. The book scientifically serves to ward off our fears in daily life. To be ‘empowered or impaired’ is one’s sensibility and judgment. The book gives its readers handholding to become ‘empowered’. It’s high time for society to ensure its people get empowered with ‘anabolic anxiety’, a shot in the arm with this new term for medical science brought in by the author, an Emeritus professor having spent 27 years in Health & Human Performance.
The book starts on the frequent note of ‘The Worried Mind’ that leaves one in pieces. The very act of worrying is a threat as ‘perceived by the autonomic brain’. The moment ‘threat sensors in the brain are triggered’, there is a damaging effect on the blood chemistry. The book analyses the cause and nature of catabolic anxiety due to the mutually opposing interplay of cortisol with several anabolic hormones like testosterone. So there arises the dire need of ‘anabolic empowerment’ and it is our sheer sensibility to decide what to opt further.
Can stress be congenial to one’s requirements? Dr. Alston calls it “positive stress,” that is ‘eustress’ is induced ‘when we face a potentially menacing situation with a definite plan of action’. The book serves as a practical guide while suggesting suitable ways ‘to become more anabolic’. The initial chapters deal with scientific explanations of stress and anxiety-related anabolism and catabolism.
There is a path-breaking finding in this book – The Dual Anxiety Theory, propounded by Dr William G Alston. He claims that information on ‘types of anxiety’ is hardly available elsewhere. Some classic studies have even ‘mistakenly used the term “arousal’ about anxiety’s positive nature.’ Dr. Alston cites a very interesting study involving GRE candidates to bank upon the concept of ‘anabolic anxiety and catabolic anxiety which are named by him for the first time with these scientific terms. Again there is the audit experience of Fred and Sandra. What makes Sandra wake up ‘strong, fearless and fired up?’
This book can be called a primer to build anabolic empowerment. There is a tack to purify and intensify anabolic empowerment. Again goals must be set. The book offers a personal account to render more credibility in achieving this target by uninitiated readers. One must abide by a righteous goal. There is a subtle science of goal setting too. So these morals get integrated with science to render the viability of a sustained anabolic state.
The book does not confine itself to a human body alone. There’s a section, ‘Imagine what would happen if Governments facilitated goal setting.’ The author ensures no departure from the book’s theme because ‘ill-conceived government practices impact..achieving a healthy anabolic state’.
Dr Alston takes a gamut of qualities in the ambit of morals that do not keep away from the scientific approach for anabolic empowerment that needs to fall in with science to result in prudent outcomes. The science of discipline can ‘give up some of our pleasant, relaxing things and do the difficult, unpleasant things to accomplish a worthy purpose’.
The book serves a bunch of four solutions for stumbling blocks that one can ‘biologically empower to win the moment...achieve long-term goals…purify anabolic blood chemistry…’ and there is the fourth key that’s not just a petty solution to specific problems but a panacea to all suffering that can get altogether transmuted into a delightful cherishing affair. That is the Ultimate Anabolic Empowerment to rule the roost ever after.
The author provides some of the frequent questions that may be buzzing in the mind of readers, such as - ‘Once saved always saved?’ This is explained exceedingly well by quoting Jesus. The author harps on the dire need for Faith and that ‘We need God’. There is a certain science of assertiveness that helps in understanding the Lord’s command which turns out to be the greatest realization of human existence. The book takes up scenarios encountered in one’s daily life that are discussed through the scientific paradigm to work out the implication of gratitude, humility, self-discipline, and honesty to achieve our goal.
How did God come to exist? This appears quite a fuzzy and enigmatic question with an abstract explanation. However, the author provides a most lucid answer –‘God’s eternal existence is simply a self-evident truth’. The significance of such an encompassing statement includes every manner of creation. God’s manifestation pervades in multifarious ways that can be realized with ‘irrefutable scientific evidence and common sense’ or ‘prophetic proof of God’. Dr. Alston goes to great length in citing the prophetic miracles happening ever since and one facet that is prophetically manifested with his only Son, Jesus Christ. The book does not remain confined in buried history but cites ‘The Restoration of Israel’ in 1948 and the Six-Day War in 1967 as modern-day divine miracles.
Dr. Alston has corroborated his findings with a rich repository of reference books at the end of every chapter. Also, the ‘key thoughts at the end of every chapter crisply reflect upon the entire chapter.
The book ensures that ‘When you learn to control your stress system, every aspect of your life will be enhanced’.
Paperback: 186 pages
