What About Our “Conditions?”

I use the word “conditions” so as not to say “ailments!” Likely we all have some by now. Whether it’s arthritis, high blood pressure, or fatigue, how can we best handle them? How much weight should we give to them?

I have one friend who insists that her girlfriends not talk about their health problems when they’re together. I get this. It’s too easy to slide into the mire of health issues along with a litany of symptoms, doctors’ appointments, and medications.

However, some discussion may help us sound out truths for ourselves, instead of subscribing to the rote messages out there. For example, someone with low sodium (hyponatremia) doesn’t need to follow the low-salt diet/eight glasses of water a day advice. Someone with anemia may benefit more from red meat weekly than subscribing to the much-touted plant-based diet. A friend’s referral to acupuncture may postpone or avoid surgery.Talking can help.

I volunteer with a lady considerably older than myself who chooses to work full time. If she has aches or pains, she doesn’t let on. How does she do it? Probably she, like my friend, has a strong constitution, but I think the biggest factor is their attitude.

Emmet Fox, a scholar and writer in the early 20th century, believed in the New Testament power of healing. A pioneer of the New Thought movement and the Divine Science church, he taught that our thoughts shape our reality.

“The body cannot resist healing…because it is not intelligent. Therefore it is important…(not) to enter on a mental struggle with the body to compel it to change; and of course such a proceeding is quite useless and also fatiguing….. You therefore turn to God, and remind yourself of His goodness, His limitless power, and His care for you.” (Fox, Around the Year with Emmet Fox)

This tells me not to worry about whatever “conditions” I have. I can be mindful but not obsessive. Then my thinking can help me access strength to overcome my difficulties.

Maybe one day I can be like my friend and Miss Jeannie.

(For more about Emmet Fox, consider reading his Sermon on the Mount and Power Through Constructive Thinking.)