Resistance, Dis-ease and Love Handles on a Country Road
Resistance.
Growing up, it felt like my arch enemy.
Our house was at the bottom of a long, steep hill. Getting to the bus stop each school day required that I move forward at a slow and steady pace, often while leaning into a gusty, hurricane-style wind.
The hood of my coat wrapped tightly around my head kept my ears from freezing, but my cheeks were red and numb. Tumbleweeds blew across the road at regular intervals, threatening to take me with them.
Each walk to the bus stop was an exercise of physical stamina⎯a high adventure⎯as I withstood the forces of nature.
Up, up, up, the the hill. Day after day after day.
It felt like a waste of time and energy.
These days, resistance is more like my arch angel.
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I Left My Love Handles on a Country Road
After years of daily walks in a cookie-cutter neighborhood with flat streets that offer zero resistance⎯I long to be challenged; I long for resistance. Which is why I look forward to vacationing out-of-state, where the back roads are hilly, the inclines steep, and the views spectacular.
I always stop at the bridges to watch the water flow in the creek, bubbling over rock and riverbed. However, the part I look forward to most is the resistance⎯the dogged effort it takes to make it up those steep and unrelenting inclines that lead back to the house.
While I don’t necessarily enjoy the part where my muscles ache and I run out of breath, I absolutely love the long-term effects on my body.
I feel healthier.
I feel stronger.
And, wouldn’t you know it? This last time, after devoting part of each day of my vacation to such resistance, I realized, as I packed up the car for the long drive home, that I was leaving my obstinant love handles on that country road. I had lost a couple inches around my waist, and my love handles were no more.
Oh, blessed resistance! You really are a true friend.
Ease vs. Resistance
Life, of course, is the same. We think we prefer a life of ease, devoid of any resistance, yet we love how we feel⎯the feeling of personal growth and confidence and spiritual strength⎯when we go up against something hard, and come out the victor.
Or when we fail the first time, but choose to get back up and try again.
A life of ease leads to dis-ease, both physically and spiritually.
Resistance provides opportunities to strengthen one’s physical and spiritual muscles.
Resistance refines by strengthening what is needed, and eliminating the rest. (Bye, bye love handles…)
As always, the scriptures say it best:
“Wherefore, ye must press forward”, the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi tells us, reminding us of the resistance and opposition we will face in this life:
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.”
2 Nephi 21:20
We must continually press forward⎯with steadfastness, faith, and love⎯against the sin of this generation, even when our spiritual muscles feel achy, and we are on the verge of running out of breath.
Sister Joy D. Jones reminds us that “being sin–resistant doesn’t mean being sinless, but it does imply being continually repentant, vigilant and valiant”.
It implies being resistant and resilient.
“The history of liberty is a history of resistance.”
Woodrow Wilson
Yes, freedom is found in doing hard things.
Choosing to boldly and courageously face resistance today will lead to untold physical and spiritual blessings tomorrow.
And, boy, is it worth it, sore muscles and all!
Physical Dis-Ease
Taking responsibility for the personal physical and mental dis-ease one experiences in life requires effort, but doing so leads to greater peace and harmony.
Physical disease, mental health, and identity crises 1 can often be traced back to dis-ease: dis-ease caused by stress, nutritional and hormonal imbalances, unresolved trauma, unhealthy habits, and other issues that are often within one’s control.
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Identifying Signals and Alarms
Anxiety, for instance, is not simply cured with a pill. Anxiety is an alarm. It is a signal, a call for action. How we choose to respond to that call matters.
In many cases, to accept a “diagnosis” as being fact and unchangeable is irresponsible; we are each responsible for the decisions that affect our bodies.
Physical disease can, many times, be prevented or reversed; so, too, can mental health issues.
To accept a diagnosis or label without taking personal responsibilty is dangerous, both physically and spiritually.
How can one take responsibility for one’s own body?
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Health benefits may vary. The information in this post is informational only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Consult with your doctor as needed. The recommendations shared here are complementary and are not a replacement for conventional medical treatments. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. I am not liable for any direct or indirect consequences resulting from the use of the information provided.
Personal Responsibility
There are many ways to take personal responsibility for the dis-ease in one’s life:
- Turn to God through prayer and scripture study
- Repent
- Forgive
- Eat a nutrient-packed diet
- Take nutritional supplements
- Get sufficient sleep
- Connect with others in meaningful ways
- Practice emotional intelligence
- Develop a daily exercise routine
- Serve others
- Express gratitude
- Devote your free time to something you are passionate about
- Spend time in nature
- Take a break from social media and technology
- Read an uplifting book
Recommended: 40 Nature Walks: Print and Go
Let Food By Thy Medicine
Let food be thy medicine is a centuries old refrain, and for good reason. The way we treat our bodies affects our spiritual health and our ability to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit. Over the years, our family has experienced the benefits that come from letting “food be thy medicine” when addressing the following health issues:
- acne
- anxiety
- arthritis
- blood clots
- depression
- eczema
- food sensitivities
- gut pain
- heartburn
- inflammation
- insomnia
- loss of energy
- seasonal allergies
- seizures
The body’s ability to heal is astounding. Over the years, with the help of God, and after many hours of research, our family has experienced natural healing from the following conditions⎯all with no negative side effects:
Childhood Eczema
- Doctor’s Recommendation: a child’s cancer-causing steroid
- My Natural Cure: heal the gut
Heartburn
- Doctor’s Recommendation: four esophagus-destroying OTC antacids⎯all at the same time!
- My Natural Cure: cabbage juice
Recommended Juicer
Juice vegetables and fruit the healthy Omega way
Anxiety and Depression
- Doctor’s Recommendation: anxiety meds with life-threatening side effects
- My Natural Cure: diet, exercise, herbs, supplements
Seizures
- Doctor’s Recommendation: mind-altering seizure meds
- My Natural Cure: brain health, breathing techniques, stress-relieving techniques, diet, exercise
Whooping Cough
- Doctor’s Recommendation: antibiotics
- My Natural Cure: Can’t say due to threat of being censored or non-FDA approved method
Runner’s Knee
- Doctor’s Recommendation: surgery as an only option
- My Natural Cure: physical therapy
Crushed Foot
- Doctor’s Recommendation: steroids
- My Natural Cure: natural oils, anti-inflammatory diet
Blood Clot
- Doctor’s Recommendation: life-threatening blood thinners
- My Natural Cure: Can’t say due to threat of being censored or non-FDA approved method
Severe Acne
- Doctor’s Recommendation: medication and acid peels
- My Natural Cure: diet, Vitamin B5 → Watch video
Seasonal Allergies
- Doctor’s Recommendation: allergy meds
- My Natural Cure: anti-inflammatory diet
Anti-Inflammatory Diet Cookbooks
Debilitating Arthritis
- Doctor’s Recommendation: arthritis meds with countless side effects
- My Natural Cure: heal the gut, anti-inflammatory diet, stress-relieving techniques
Food Sensitivities
- Doctor’s Recommendation: eliminate food completely from diet…for life
- My Natural Cure: heal the gut, NAET
Cesarean Sections
- Doctor’s Recommendation: cesarean sections for life
- My Natural Cure: successful VBAC and home birth
Today and everyday, I am thankful for the gift and power of natural healing.
Benefits
Nutrition and healing not only impact one’s physical and spiritual health, but one’s mental health as well, including:
- increased focus
- less anxiety
- fewer medical bills
- more energy
- increased confidence
- more time to devote to God
- greater physical strength and endurance
Building a Non-Anxious Life
by author Dr. John Delony
Learn how to make six daily choices that create peace
#1 WALL STREET JOURNAL NATIONAL BESTSELLER
Benefactors
Who can benefit from better nutrition and natural healing modalities?
- children
- adults
- youth
- students
- employees
- missionaries
- virtually everyone
Resources
Resources for learning about food as medicine are abundant. Programs, articles, cookbooks, and personal success stories can contribute to one’s education in this area. These resources can get you started:
Health Quotes
”The state of our health affects every facet of our life- our feeling of personal well-being, our approach to work, our social interactions- even our service to the Lord.” ~ Barbara B. Smith
“Ordinarily a healthy, vigorous person is in a far better position to work out his own salvation and be an effective instrument in rolling forth the great purposes of diety.” ~ Bruce R. McConkie
“No matter how much it gets abused, the body can restore balance. The first rule is to stop interfering with nature.” – Deepak Chopra
“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.” – Winston Churchill
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3: 16-17)
Wildcraft Game
Invest time into your health by learning how to use food and plants as medicine, and reap the rewards for years to come.
Learn how to treat minor ailments like bug bites, stings, and sprains with herb remedies using this fun cooperative board game. Travel up the mountain to collect huckleberries, treating ailments along the way. Fun for all ages!
Wildcraft Game
A fun and education game for the whole family!
Learn to identify herbal plants and how to use them in everyday applications in this exciting, race-to-the-top-of-the-mountain, cooperative game.
Conclusion
Dis-ease is typically not something that “just happens” to a person; there are things that lead up to it, and those things are often within one’s control.
Begin today to take responsibility for the choices that affect your body and spirit.
Welcome resistance into your life, and teach your children to do the same.
By so doing, may we raise a generation better equipped (both physically and spiritually) for building the Kingdom of God.
