"If the highest aim of a captain were to preseve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.." ~ Thomas Aquinas
Lately I have really started to wonder if Christians have unwittingly handed Satan his greatest weapon against us with the newest trend of focusing on health & wellness. I am sure there are a few of you who may have just gasped, hang in there with me...
When my mom died, fear became a close confidant. Watching cancer devour a once healthy, vibrant human being in a very unforgiving and grotesque manor can take it's toll on you. Then you have a myriad of information blasting at you (most of which is fear based propaganda mind you) telling you if you use shampoo with parabens in it, paint your nails, cook on tinfoil, eat Cheetos, have a microwave, and MANY MANY MANY more things...you will get cancer. I swear if another friend shares a David Avocado Wolfe meme or post I might scream. (Seriously that guy is a major doofenshmirtz, do a little research on the guy before hitting that SHARE button and do us all a favor.) I am not discrediting that changing all of the above would all be positive changes for your health, however will doing all of the above secure your admittance in the cancer free club? There is zero proof of that. If God has laid it on your heart to make some healthy changes then who I am to dispute it, good for you and I am certain if God has called you to it then it's where you need to be. But what I'm seeing more and more of, and was actually getting sucked into myself, is an obsession to preserve our lives.
Life is a gift. Each and every time our heart beats we have a purpose. But I'm really struggling to find scripture that supports this 'new way of thinking' that so much energy needs to go into the preservation of our earthy bodies. Does that mean I think you should eat, drink and be merry with no regard for your health? Absolutely not. But caring so deeply about our bodies, so much so that it consumes what we think about, what we talk about, how we live our lives...is that not creating an idol? I know for me that is exactly what it was doing. But the more I dived into the scriptures, and petitioned the Lord for wisdom...the more I started to see that God is far more concerned with our hearts than our bodies. In fact I couldn't find one scripture that condoned the pursuit of a healthy body. Even the ones that could be used to argue the point, would have to be taken out of context. In fact Luke 12:22 says, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
Let me give you a little backstory, as to why I have recently become so passionate about this topic. Before cancer so rudely pushed it's way into our lives, I didn't even think about most of this. But when my mom was diagnosed, we were forced into this new world, a world of FEAR. It comes at you from all sides, and all sides think their way is TRUTH. We were told everything you can imagine, that my mom had cancer because of abuse she suffered in childhood and didn't 'process' correctly, or that she had genetic disposition due a long line of family members who also died from cancer, or that her diet was the root cause of the disease, and the list goes on and on. You go to see a specialist and they tell you one thing, you see a post on Facebook and it tells you another. And let me tell you that everyone coming at you with advice is passionate about their beliefs. So much so that it can be hurtful. There were people who shared with us very strong opinions in regards to the treatment options my mom chose, going so far as to call her "stupid for allowing them to poison her willingly." I researched it all, naturopathic, homeopathic, holistic, conventional, modern, and everything in-between. People will tell you if you eat this food or take that supplement you will live. And I read testimonies where some people had success with one thing, and others who tried it...died. The one thing I found to be true...across the board. We all are going to die. Fighting it was never a cause we were supposed to take up.
Soon after my mom passed I got a swollen lymph node in my neck, it was so enlarged it was pinching nerves in my neck, to where I couldn't turn my head to the right. Because of my recent experience, I will admit I was hypersensitive. I got into the Dr. that day. My blood work came back with a high white count, which wasn't a surprise because there was evident infection...no denying the golf ball protruding out of my neck. The doctor of course wanted to go over my cancer history, because it's their job to start at the worst case scenario and work their way back. He assured me the entire time, it was all precautionary. He decided to send me in for a mammogram...I know, I know that's a strange test to have done when the issue was in the neck. And I also know there are few of you who will cringe that I exposed myself to radiation by getting such a ghastly procedure done. In all of my insane research into breast cancer I did read the plethora of articles claiming that mammograms cause cancer. And I agree 100% you shouldn't be going down to radiology all willy nilly getting yourself scanned 24/7 as a preventative. However, if there is a good reason to check on the ladies, then by all means early detection is a GOOD thing. But the constant sharing of information out on the web just fed my fear. I was afraid to get checked because it could cause cancer. I was afraid of the doctors because they were just minions of big pharma out to kill us all. I was afraid of not doing anything. I was afraid that if I just did some cleanse of juicing protocol I would have missed my opportunity to detect it early and my chances at living a long and healthy life. I didn't even tell anyone...out of fear of what everyone might say. I chose to have a mammogram, they found a spot of concern in my right breast that we are closely monitoring. I still have a persistent infection that is unexplained so the testing continues. I am also changing my diet because obesity is a stepping stone for not just cancer but many other horrible diseases. But I am no longer going to live in fear. And I am no longer on a mission to preserve my life.
If I get cancer...whether it be because of my gene pool or my lifestyle, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. But I know this, my hope is that it isn't going to be about me surviving, but rather glorifying God in whatever HE has in store for me. Trusting in HIS plan. In the meantime, I may not have a clean bill of health, but I certainly don't have my walking papers so I will put my energy into pursuing God's will, living a life that reflects Him, and loving others. The less we focus on ourselves the more clear it becomes. Hebrews 13:14 states, "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." Fear has no hold on me anymore, I broke free.
I have a closet in my house that reflects my enslavement to fear. One filled with oils, supplements, and gadgets that can 'cure' not only cancer but ANY ailment you may encounter. I was miserable trying to heal myself. It seemed like no matter what I tried, I would find out there was just another thing I had missed. I changed all my soaps, lotions, and shampoos but dangit the toothpaste was killing me, or the hair dye. I wasted a ton of money on changing my groceries, but learned way to fast unless you are just buying "organic" (and I say that loosely because the more I researched organic the more I found it was hardly organic) fruits and veggies and blending them into cocktails you are screwed. I decided, after really consulting with God on the matter, that I was going to use some good old fashioned common sense and I think that is a solution I can live with. God created our bodies to be sustained by His creation. So obviously eating Twinkies and drinking chemical elixirs are going to affect our bodies negatively. God warns against gluttony, he also warns against being lazy. So cleary we can see his design for us not to overindulge and to stay active. But it doesn't have to be so complicated. Eating healthy and staying active is not rocket science. It is a matter of self discipline and desire, something I am learning a lot about. The coolest thing about our great Creator is that he has something so much more beautiful for us waiting on the other side, whenever He chooses to call us HOME. Clinging so desperately to this life prevents us from experiencing what He intended for us. There are more than twenty scriptures that talk about dying to ourselves. I want to live what time I have here on this earth, with my loved ones, as good as I can. What that looks like differs for all of us. But I am certain that the devil was having a hayday with my need to avoid cancer, or dodge diabetes, and outrun heart disease. Psalm 139:16 reminds us "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" I can't cheat death, my days are numbered and already written in His book. I CAN live what I am given fully, without regret, and with a purpose. To love God and to love others.
When my mom died, fear became a close confidant. Watching cancer devour a once healthy, vibrant human being in a very unforgiving and grotesque manor can take it's toll on you. Then you have a myriad of information blasting at you (most of which is fear based propaganda mind you) telling you if you use shampoo with parabens in it, paint your nails, cook on tinfoil, eat Cheetos, have a microwave, and MANY MANY MANY more things...you will get cancer. I swear if another friend shares a David Avocado Wolfe meme or post I might scream. (Seriously that guy is a major doofenshmirtz, do a little research on the guy before hitting that SHARE button and do us all a favor.) I am not discrediting that changing all of the above would all be positive changes for your health, however will doing all of the above secure your admittance in the cancer free club? There is zero proof of that. If God has laid it on your heart to make some healthy changes then who I am to dispute it, good for you and I am certain if God has called you to it then it's where you need to be. But what I'm seeing more and more of, and was actually getting sucked into myself, is an obsession to preserve our lives.
Life is a gift. Each and every time our heart beats we have a purpose. But I'm really struggling to find scripture that supports this 'new way of thinking' that so much energy needs to go into the preservation of our earthy bodies. Does that mean I think you should eat, drink and be merry with no regard for your health? Absolutely not. But caring so deeply about our bodies, so much so that it consumes what we think about, what we talk about, how we live our lives...is that not creating an idol? I know for me that is exactly what it was doing. But the more I dived into the scriptures, and petitioned the Lord for wisdom...the more I started to see that God is far more concerned with our hearts than our bodies. In fact I couldn't find one scripture that condoned the pursuit of a healthy body. Even the ones that could be used to argue the point, would have to be taken out of context. In fact Luke 12:22 says, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
Let me give you a little backstory, as to why I have recently become so passionate about this topic. Before cancer so rudely pushed it's way into our lives, I didn't even think about most of this. But when my mom was diagnosed, we were forced into this new world, a world of FEAR. It comes at you from all sides, and all sides think their way is TRUTH. We were told everything you can imagine, that my mom had cancer because of abuse she suffered in childhood and didn't 'process' correctly, or that she had genetic disposition due a long line of family members who also died from cancer, or that her diet was the root cause of the disease, and the list goes on and on. You go to see a specialist and they tell you one thing, you see a post on Facebook and it tells you another. And let me tell you that everyone coming at you with advice is passionate about their beliefs. So much so that it can be hurtful. There were people who shared with us very strong opinions in regards to the treatment options my mom chose, going so far as to call her "stupid for allowing them to poison her willingly." I researched it all, naturopathic, homeopathic, holistic, conventional, modern, and everything in-between. People will tell you if you eat this food or take that supplement you will live. And I read testimonies where some people had success with one thing, and others who tried it...died. The one thing I found to be true...across the board. We all are going to die. Fighting it was never a cause we were supposed to take up.
Soon after my mom passed I got a swollen lymph node in my neck, it was so enlarged it was pinching nerves in my neck, to where I couldn't turn my head to the right. Because of my recent experience, I will admit I was hypersensitive. I got into the Dr. that day. My blood work came back with a high white count, which wasn't a surprise because there was evident infection...no denying the golf ball protruding out of my neck. The doctor of course wanted to go over my cancer history, because it's their job to start at the worst case scenario and work their way back. He assured me the entire time, it was all precautionary. He decided to send me in for a mammogram...I know, I know that's a strange test to have done when the issue was in the neck. And I also know there are few of you who will cringe that I exposed myself to radiation by getting such a ghastly procedure done. In all of my insane research into breast cancer I did read the plethora of articles claiming that mammograms cause cancer. And I agree 100% you shouldn't be going down to radiology all willy nilly getting yourself scanned 24/7 as a preventative. However, if there is a good reason to check on the ladies, then by all means early detection is a GOOD thing. But the constant sharing of information out on the web just fed my fear. I was afraid to get checked because it could cause cancer. I was afraid of the doctors because they were just minions of big pharma out to kill us all. I was afraid of not doing anything. I was afraid that if I just did some cleanse of juicing protocol I would have missed my opportunity to detect it early and my chances at living a long and healthy life. I didn't even tell anyone...out of fear of what everyone might say. I chose to have a mammogram, they found a spot of concern in my right breast that we are closely monitoring. I still have a persistent infection that is unexplained so the testing continues. I am also changing my diet because obesity is a stepping stone for not just cancer but many other horrible diseases. But I am no longer going to live in fear. And I am no longer on a mission to preserve my life.
If I get cancer...whether it be because of my gene pool or my lifestyle, I'll cross that bridge when I get there. But I know this, my hope is that it isn't going to be about me surviving, but rather glorifying God in whatever HE has in store for me. Trusting in HIS plan. In the meantime, I may not have a clean bill of health, but I certainly don't have my walking papers so I will put my energy into pursuing God's will, living a life that reflects Him, and loving others. The less we focus on ourselves the more clear it becomes. Hebrews 13:14 states, "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come." Fear has no hold on me anymore, I broke free.
I have a closet in my house that reflects my enslavement to fear. One filled with oils, supplements, and gadgets that can 'cure' not only cancer but ANY ailment you may encounter. I was miserable trying to heal myself. It seemed like no matter what I tried, I would find out there was just another thing I had missed. I changed all my soaps, lotions, and shampoos but dangit the toothpaste was killing me, or the hair dye. I wasted a ton of money on changing my groceries, but learned way to fast unless you are just buying "organic" (and I say that loosely because the more I researched organic the more I found it was hardly organic) fruits and veggies and blending them into cocktails you are screwed. I decided, after really consulting with God on the matter, that I was going to use some good old fashioned common sense and I think that is a solution I can live with. God created our bodies to be sustained by His creation. So obviously eating Twinkies and drinking chemical elixirs are going to affect our bodies negatively. God warns against gluttony, he also warns against being lazy. So cleary we can see his design for us not to overindulge and to stay active. But it doesn't have to be so complicated. Eating healthy and staying active is not rocket science. It is a matter of self discipline and desire, something I am learning a lot about. The coolest thing about our great Creator is that he has something so much more beautiful for us waiting on the other side, whenever He chooses to call us HOME. Clinging so desperately to this life prevents us from experiencing what He intended for us. There are more than twenty scriptures that talk about dying to ourselves. I want to live what time I have here on this earth, with my loved ones, as good as I can. What that looks like differs for all of us. But I am certain that the devil was having a hayday with my need to avoid cancer, or dodge diabetes, and outrun heart disease. Psalm 139:16 reminds us "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" I can't cheat death, my days are numbered and already written in His book. I CAN live what I am given fully, without regret, and with a purpose. To love God and to love others.
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