Personal Assessment / Action
When I speak of the energetic life of the body, I am speaking of the body's ability to function optimally at all levels, down to the individual cells. As one's energetic life diminishes, they age faster, lack motivation, experience aches and pain, and sickness and disease increases because the immune system can't do its job as it once did, and the list goes on.
Two of the biggest things that diminish the energetic life of the body are mental and emotional stress!
What happens in our emotional existence, happens in our physical bodies because our cells respond according to their environment. This is not something to be looked upon lightly. Where you live emotionally throughout the day and the thoughts you entertain will be either life-producing or death-producing.
In regards to one's immune response, stress can debilitate it - to the point that old damaged cells and cellular waste are not able to be cleared out, cancer cells and free radicals are not dealt with, increasing oxidative damage.
Mental and emotional stress not only contributes to an acidic internal environment, it shuts off proper digestion, changes blood flow in the brain, can decrease oxygen levels, creates undesirable hormonal responses, and causes inflammation.
Mental and emotional stress can be caused by our thought life, holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness, judgmental attitudes, lack of finances, or being in a toxic relationship or a toxic job.
It can also be old wounds that were caused by abuse, physically, sexually, or beaten up emotionally. Bottom line, mental and emotional stress is not where any of us want to live.
And sadly, when these things are not dealt with then unresolved negative emotions or emotional trauma can end up as sympathetic nervous system dominance (fight or flight). A person living in this condition may not even realize how unbalanced they have become. When it becomes a norm to live this way, stress hormones never shut off. Whatever the level of the stress experienced, it creates an inability for the body to properly rest, digest, and repair.
Simply stated, YOU AND I WILL NEVER ACHIEVE TRUE WELLNESS BY HOLDING ONTO FEAR, THE PAST, NEGATIVE OR DESTRUCTIVE ATTITUDES, EMOTIONS, OR LIMITING BELIEFS.
So where does one begin to find resolution? It begins by honestly assessing oneself:
- Do I have bitterness or unforgiveness toward another?
- Have I done things in my life that I find it difficult to forgive myself?
- Am I an angry person?
- Am I judgmental of others?
- Do I have offense toward another?
This Pillar is not about offering counseling or telling you how to deal with your mental or emotional stress. But is to encourage you to go to the next level so that you can live a healthier and happier life.
In Proverbs 14:30 it states, "A heart at peace gives life to the body." And in Proverbs 17:22, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
We can't change the past, every situation or other people. We can only work on ourselves. So we seek council or therapy where needed, we change our environment where we can, and often, an attitude adjustment could be quite helpful.
And yes, when we begin to do deep work within ourselves it can be a bloody mess. But no matter what you and I have experienced in the past, its not worth allowing it to rob us of a better life.
I also encourage you to get before God, and ask for His help because He is always willing. He has a purpose and plan for each one of us. But I also know that by holding on or not getting the help we need, keeps us from walking in the fullness of His plan.
Being a person of gratitude is way more fun than a person who's hold on to bitterness. Every day we should be expressing not only our praise and faith to the Lord, but also thankfulness and gratefulness to Him for all He has done, is doing, and will do.
Let others know that you appreciate them, and begin doing more acts of kindness. And appreciate yourself, you are God's creation!
Every cell in your body will respond in a positive way when you adopt an attitude of gratitude, express love, joy, and thankfulness.
And your energy levels will soar!
I few years ago I wrote the book, Fully Persuaded Faith. It's resource to strengthen one's faith and trust in God and His Word. You might even say its a manual for daily living. Here a just a few excerpts:
“To act in unforgiveness damages the brain by creating physical structures that keep us from being able to mentally function correctly. It causes inflammation and releases harmful chemicals, whereas forgiveness and love do just the opposite. When we resolve our guilt or shame, or any bitterness towards another, the body’s ability to heal and function dramatically increases. Coming from a place of love and forgiveness is “health to your body (your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts), and refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.” Proverbs 3:8 AMP
“Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has (freely) forgiven you, so must you also (forgive).” Colossians 3:13 AMP.
Not only does forgiveness bring restoration and closure, but it frees us from pain, bitterness, and a victim mentality.
If feelings of unforgiveness continue to rise inside you, remember that emotions begin with thoughts. Come against those thoughts in faith, and cast them down. Speak out loud, “I have forgiven that person by an act of my will, in faith. I’m not moved by these feelings because I don’t live by my emotions. I live by the Word of God”. If you’ll continue this, your feelings will change. It may not happen overnight, as with many things we do by faith, but eventually they do change.
God will honor your faith and efforts. Psst … and it will do wonders for your emotional and physical health.”
Here a few more excerpts regarding our thought life and the words we choose to speak:
“Why are the words you speak so important? Because words contain power, carry identity, and frame the thoughts you hold in your heart.
Words contain power and have the ability to tear us down or build us up. They are spiritual indicators and carriers of what we believe and in what we place our faith.
One of the most important things to remember is that you will act and speak in a way that is consistent with your thinking. What you focus on, and every word you say, becomes a blueprint that your mind and body move toward, and will do whatever to oblige it.
We increase the power of our thoughts when we speak them.
These include all the clichés and phrases we’ve been conditioned to speak. We may think of these as insignificant, yet they often launch us further down the same path.
Here is a list of faithless phrases we often speak over ourselves:
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“I can’t lose those last 10 pounds”
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“I’m scared to death”
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“This commute is killing me”
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“I can’t stop myself”
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“I’m losing my mind”
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“I can’t do anything right”
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“I’m falling apart”
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“I’m fat”
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“I’m worn out”, “I’m depressed”, “I’m tired”, “I’m old”.
With many of these phrases we are constantly telling ourselves something good or something harmful. Even Henry Ford was quoted as saying, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” Instead, choose to think and speak what you truly desire to experience and say it in positive way. It’s that simple.
And as a Christian, consider the fact of who lives in you. Do you think Jesus would say, or want you saying, “I AM scared to death”, “I AM losing my mind”, or “I AM not good enough?” That’s not the I AM that lives within you.”
When we talk like this, we are speaking identities into our mind, and when spoken enough, they drop into our heart. We are revealing what we unconsciously believe to be true, and the condition of our faith. Paying attention to this is important because what we think and say, we tend to take ownership.”
The 'renewing the mind' is fundamental when it comes to our thought life, our emotional wellbeing, and our spiritual and mental strength and health. The following links will provide you a variety of resources and direction as to how to respond when it comes to thoughts about yourself and the daily life around you:
