Mind, Body, Spirit

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Kay Arhtur says, "Many times it’s very hard for people who are grieving to read the Word because the pain is so great, because they cannot concentrate, because their thoughts keep running back to their pain or to the situation or to the wound, and it’s hard to focus.”  God’s Word brings healing, growth, and life. By reading His Word daily, you will be prepared to face anything the day may bring. You will be victorious in all areas—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—through Christ.

GriefShare Daily Emails, Day 297

When I took Tae Kwan Do in eight grade I had a shirt that read "MIND, BODY, SPIRIT."  I had no idea what it meant.

But now I'm finally beginning to.  

One of the biggest things my eyes have been opened to in this season is how whole, connected, the Lord created us as individuals.  (And as groups, maybe I'll blog about that later).  What I mean by whole is the idea of the interdependence of our body, our thoughts, our emotions, our spirit.  They are not-siloed, as I once thought, each operating in parallel lanes never to affect the others.  They intertwine.

I first realized this when I gave just a tiny bit of thought to crying.  Simple, yet profound, truths began to be clear.  When I reach a high enough level of sadness my body responds with my eyes leaking water.  When I reach a high enough level of anger my heart starts to beat faster, my temperature rises, sometimes my face gets red.  When I reach a high enough level of nervousness or fear my stomach hurts.  But what's happening to my body when I don't reach those high enough amounts?  What are my emotions doing to my body? 

My big "AHA!" phrase of 2013 became - Everything affects everything else.

Emotions affect my body.  Thoughts affect my body.  My body affects my emotions.  And so on and so on.

As I continued to learn more, I found that both the Scriptures and science agree on this issue.  I was overwhelmed to read about scientific studies proving that negative thinking could affect your physical health (and vice versa).  Proverbs 4:23 in the New Century translation reads "Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."  I started to pay attention to my thoughts.

Then I started to pay attention to my emotions.  I would walk in a room and simply smell cookies baking and for a second I'd just feel happy.  I'd go to a spa and hear slow music, smell massage oils, and almost immediately feel calm, relaxed, less anxious.  My heart would beat a little bit slower.  Smells affect my emotions? Ok.  

Then I started to pay attention to my body.  When I got a good night's sleep I was more polite, less irritable.  When I worked out I was a little less on edge.  My physical health affects my emotions, how I treat peole? Ok. John Piper says we should exercise the body for the sake of the soul. I am beginning to really understand what he means. 

I could keep going with examples.  I'm sure these ideas aren't new for anyone, you've experienced them, you could probably explain the science better than I could.  But all this has led me to a new amazement for how God created our bodies, and it has made me pay attention to my whole person, rather than just one particular piece.  Especially my spiritual health.

In Psalm 32:3-4 David laments "For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.  Selah."  

Pause.

Wow.  Walking around with unconfessed sins could affect me physically, sucking away my energy.  So now my relationship with the Lord has implications on my body?  Were there thoughts and emotions that then had implications on my spiritual health?  What else is going on inside me?  What is hindering me from being fully (mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually) healthy?  The questions just didn't stop.

I don't have all the answers.  But He's graciously given me some.  So now when I feel stress building in my shoulders I'm quicker to ask questions that deal with the underlying cause.  I confess sin and ask him to deal with those roots, rather than to simply just take away the physical pain.  Have I been trying to carry the world on my shoulders?  Have I been trying to handle everything on my own rather than trusting Him? 

Becoming aware of this stuff is annoying, and painful, yet so good.  

I do a lot more self-examination, and I'm constantly reminded of how far from having a mind or heart like Christ's I really am.  But He's already promised to finish the good work He started - and He's allowing me to be a part. 

He's dealing with the stuff that I can see - praise the Lord!!  And He's teaching me how to beg Him to deal with the stuff I can't see.  The stuff that I'm not even aware is there.  In Psalm 19 David says it like this "Who can discern his errors?  Declare me innocent from hidden faults.  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression." (Psalm 19:12-13). 

My prayer is this - Father, please continue to help me deal with my mess so that it won't wreak havoc later.  Fill my innermost parts with Your truth.  Help me to be fully healthy, that I might glorify You most. Amen.