The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

Blockage

Contrary to post-Enlightenment dualistic assumptions, there is no discernible differentiation between the physical, emotional, and spiritual. The logos of God, incarnate in Jesus, alone can discern where one starts and the other stops. 

Just as the Trinity continuously pours love from one Person to another – an eternal river of unconditional other-oriented love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – so likewise the redeemed human spirit, soul, and body share the divine life force. That is why paying attention to our bodies and our feelings is important – they speak to us of the state of our spirits. 

At some levels this is obvious – if I deny and suppress stress, for example, it may manifest itself aches and pains. My ulcer may in fact be caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria, but stress has reduced my body’s defenses and made me susceptible. Some theorize that we all have genetic weak links which will break under enough stress. A person may be genetically predisposed to heart disease, for example, but with proper diet, exercise, and a relatively stress-free life, they may never develop any cardiac issues. 

It is apparent, however, that we cannot live entirely stress-free lives. Even cloistered monks experience the stress of living in community, and desert mothers had the stress of survival in a hostile environment. We can, however, reduce our stress levels. Deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, and meditation are all helpful in that regard. Unfortunately, none are panaceæ. 

Additionally, we need to learn to listen to our bodies. That pain may be communicating something as simple as knock off that particular exercise. An intestinal blockage, on the other hand, may be attempting to warn us of deeply suppressed anger, shame, or hurt that needs to surface. 

That in no way implies that “it’s all in our heads.” Medical issues need to be addressed by physicians and surgeons. Christian Science is neither Christian nor scientific. Gnosticism is heresy. It’s not a matter of suppressed emotions versus physical disease. It is both. Neither does that suggest fault on the part of the sufferer. We live in a fallen world. There are mysterious malevolent forces at work. The satan, like a hungry lion, seeks to destroy and kill. Sickness does not come from God. Ailments are not divine judgements. Creation itself is free. Viruses mutate. Ticks transmit Lyme disease. Innocents suffer. It’s not right, and it’s not just, but it is temporary – God is in the process of setting everything to rights. In Kingdom come there will be no sickness, no pandemics, no injustice. 

Our purpose here is not to condemn, judge, or promote anti-scientific nonsense. It is rather to encourage us to pay attention to our bodies. What are our bodies telling us?

God speaks in millions of voices. Of course through scripture, but also through our physical selves. Just as one might lie quietly listening to ocean waves or sit in a forest observing the sounds and smells, so we can learn to listen to our bodies, for they too are part of God’s good creation. Some people do a head-to-toe body scan after a time of meditative prayer, taking notice of feelings and sensations, asking God to reveal to them what each is trying to communicate. God is not in the business of hiding from us. We can choose to listen.