Your tongue has great power. Your mind has great power. The little I know of the two already amaze me with its complexity, functionality and intelligence. The big question today is whether you are using your tongue and mind for divine things or destructive things.
I normally see my chiropractor twice a week to manage my newly discovered back diagnoses and pain. When our 3 week Philippines vacation was quickly approaching, I began to wonder what my level of pain and capacity would be like going without any adjustments. After less than a week of bumpy roads, long car rides and sleeping in different beds, my back was beginning to feel the high levels of pain.
Beautiful Greenery in Ilocos Norte. Lots of bumpy roads to get to this beauty!
I began to research chiropractors in the Philippines and stumbled upon Dr. Jon Motley, who owns Lighthouse Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology Center. His chiropractic practice is unique in that he also specializes in applied kinesiology. There seemed to be a lot of science to it, but the gist of what I understood was that he discovers which areas of your body are not working properly through muscle testing, and corrects or resets them on top of adjusting patients. This method, he explained, goes deeper into the root causes and also provides longer relief. (Which I could attest to, since I went the remaining 2 weeks of my vacation medicine free without being adjusted again!)
What baffled me most about my visit with him, was the part where we started tying in emotions to our bodies. It was no surprise to me when he was explaining that what we eat and our emotions highly affect our physical body and are all intertwined. What I didn’t realize was how much it did, even in its simplest, unintentional form.
Let me explain.
Dr. Motley checked all areas of my body to see how well my muscles were working. When it came to the emotional aspect, he tested it through my upper body strength. He asked me to say phrases like “I am alive,” and “I want to be healthy,” etc. Positive phrases. After each phrase, he would test my strength, probably to see if there were any signs of weakness. I asked him why I had to say those things. He then instructed me to say the opposite: “I am not alive.” And then he tested my muscle strength: significantly weaker! I laughed!!! I was so amazed at how even reciting the negative without me being sad, emotional or even wanting to mean it (or it being true for that matter) had such an impact on my strength. What more if I actually believed and felt some negative phrases, which is something I often struggle with. Hence, our words have great power.
Dr. Motley then proceeded to do something similar with my thoughts. He had me think of different things (work, finances, home and family) and tested my strength after each one. First one up: work. For the record, I absolutely love my job, the company I work for and the people I work with. It is an awesome place to be and I am so thankful to be working for the best boss and have such amazing co-workers! Nevertheless, I guess I didn’t realize how stressed I was because my strength was significantly weaker compared to some of the other categories. Dr. Motley even repeated some just to make sure I wasn’t growing tired and got the same results. Again, I was seriously amazed! I couldn’t help but laugh! I didn’t realize how certain things were really stressing me out, that even thinking about one tiny aspect of a project at work made my body so much weaker. What more if I thought of bigger projects, or how about when I dwell on certain thoughts? Hence, our thoughts have great power.
The two that get "my worst" when I'm stressed or having a bad day...my boys!
On the boat in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
Visiting Dr. Motley’s practice was not only an answered prayer for my back pain, but one for emotional, mental and spiritual.
I intentionally put this blog post in the family category because let’s face it; the people that we are closest to- our spouse, kids, siblings, and parents- are the very people that we have no problem unleashing negativity on when it comes to our words and thoughts.
We all know that hurtful words can destroy relationships and a person. We all know that hurtful thoughts toward someone can bring anger and resentment so deep, that reconciliation seems hopeless in the darkness. What this visit with Dr. Motley showed me, is that it doesn’t just destroy the person you say things to or think certain things about. Friends, it destroys you.
My body was so much weaker even in the simplest, unintentional form of saying negative phrases that weren't true and thinking of simple, stressful thoughts. How much more are our bodies affected when we repetitively, and intentionally say or think hopeless, angry, stressful, bitter, and discouraging things?
With more than two weeks of the vacation left, I knew I needed to remind myself of this new realization...and let me tell you it was hard! The heat and humidity were enough to get both my thoughts and my words going toward anger and irritation at my two boys. The heat also was not helping my husband’s attitude or capacity to function, so that upset me even more at times.
Me and my hubby on one of the HOTTEST days during our vacation
So how did I combat it?
First off, I had to admit and remember that I could not do it on my own. If I left it up to me, the cycle of frustration, anger, disappointment and irritability would just go on and on. I knew I needed to turn to God, who is greater than anything in this world- I mean, He created it! He has the power to break any chain, and these were some that needed breaking, not just for this vacation, but even at home.
Secondly, I had to preach Truths to myself repeatedly. It wasn’t enough to admit and be reminded of it. Instead of filling my thoughts and my mouth with destructive and dark things that would hurt myself and others, I needed to intentionally fill it with divine Scripture that gave Light. As my visit with Dr. Motley helped me realize, even if I don’t mean something, my words still had a great effect on my body. So friends, start saying things that have positive effects and implications, even if you don’t mean it or believe it. Even if you don’t believe that you can be patient with your kids and spouse, even if you don’t believe you can say “no” to something that will bring you down, or whatever other seemingly impossible task is ahead of you…just say it. Tell yourself you can overcome; God will overcome. You’d be surprised what will follow in the future.
Thirdly, I had to believe. Wait, didn’t I just say to speak things even if you don’t believe it? Well, yes. Believing will come the more you tell yourself something. So believe in the CAN’S. Believe in the WILL’S. Believe in Hope, Faith and Love. I had to (and continue to have to) believe Truths and believe that my thoughts and my words can change. God can heal our minds and our words, which in turn will heal our relationships and our lives.
The next time you tell yourself you can’t do something – be it career, school, an illness, be loving and patient in a tough marriage where it’s not reciprocated, be loving and patient to your family, be respectful and show kindness to your co-workers, or neighbors, whatever it may be- be prepared to also say that God isn’t big enough. Be prepared for a more stressed and weaker body. God has been putting these two words on my heart lately for different aspects of my life:
How long?
How long? How long will you allow your mind and body to go through this? How long do you want to be exhausted, stressed, overwhelmed, burdened? How long will it take for you to believe that God is able? And that He wants more for you? How long will it take for you to trust in His plans and power? Don’t stand in the middle of having the more freeing life that God has for you. Remember, repeat and believe with me today.
Lots of Love,
Phoebe Grace