Are You Listening?

Are You Listening?

 Sometimes when I write, the concepts and thoughts flow pretty freely. Other times (like now), I have ideas I'd like to share and they strain and fall with difficulty from the keyboard. After two weeks of write and re-write, I have finally decided I need to just blurt it out and hopefully not offend too many of you.

Here is what I have observed in my 30 years as a doctor. The people who get well, I mean that really truly get well and overcome their ailments experience transformation. Most of you dabble. By this I mean, we sit down together and we negotiate. "Okay, I am willing to do A and D, but C, B and F are too hard, or inconvenient, or doesn't taste good, or, or, or. Often people come seeking answers, but they have to be the soft convenient answers that will not compromise life's comforts or rock their boat.

My practice is unique in that as a licensed chiropractor, I see much more than the stiff neck or aching back. I visit with people who are truly sick. Suffering with cancers, with hormones that are totally whacked out, with Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Lyme's or whatever else they decide to call it this year (it's really a fundamental breakdown of the immune system). I see people who are severely malnourished (although they tip the scale into the ranges of obesity). I see those whose bodies yearn for extraterrestrial environments - because they are allergic to everything on this planet.

I routinely tell my patients to not believe what I tell them. Don't take my word for it. Because if that is all you do, you may not have the traction or motivation to pull through to the end. What I urge people to do, is get a testimony or a spiritual confirmation of what they should be doing. When you have an experience, an awakening if you will, as to what you should be doing, something happens inside. Rather than following directives from an outside source or influence, you can begin to find internal and inspired direction. But my recommendations usually include studying, reading and a lot of introspection.  I urge you "to become an expert" for your condition learning it from all angles.  The path to health cannot be passive - It ain't easy. 

Many of you may be saying at this point (because I hear it ALL the time), "But I really don't know what to do" or "I'm not spiritual and I've prayed and don't get these impressions or confirmations that you are talking about." What many of you may be experiencing when you express these sentiments is a fear or lack of willingness to trust the more quiet or subtle impressions you receive. I admit it would be much easier if an angel came down from heaven with a sword drawn to give us forceful and sure direction. But what usually happens is you receive an impression and then immediately go to work discounting it, rationalizing against why you can't do it, justifying your current behavior and coming up with every excuse why these quiet impressions (I believe from God) won't work or don't apply to you. We all do it. When this inner argument begins, it is time to jerk the choke chain and realize who you are arguing against. How many of us routinely are told by the spirit - you really shouldn't be eating or drinking that - you should go to bed, etc.

I believe that because God loves us, He is willing and able to reveal the truth of all things to us, as quickly as we are willing to follow and obey. But there is caveat. When the truth is opened and confirmed to your heart and mind, God expects you to follow and obey. It is as if, you have received a personal commandment. And because God loves you, and is well aware of our weakness and frailties, He cautiously withholds revelatory direction unless our desire, intent and motivation is such that we can handle the additional responsibility that is given us. Let me give you an example. For me, and I am just talking only for me - Kyle -, drinking commercially produced soda pop is a sin. Why? Because it has been revealed to me that not only is it harmful to the body, mind and spirit, but that the purchase of this liquid candy supports evil purposes designed to addict and enslave those who are foolish enough to partake of it. Nearly everyone will readily agree that soda pop is not healthy. But only a few of us truly understand (on a deeper spiritual level) the insidious Babylonian (as contrasted to Zion) nature of these beverages that slide down the gullet of so many in the world today. Again, this is for me, and me alone (unless of course, you have received the same witness).

My experience has shown me, that getting physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy requires TRANSFORMATION. It is like gaining a witness or testimony of Jesus Christ. Being a good Christian requires more than following all of the do's and don'ts. As children, many of us were taught the ropes of living a Christian life. "Do unto others . . ., Keep the Ten Commandments, Be charitable, etc." We were taught this by loving parents in hope that someday we would obtain a personal witness for ourselves that these principles and concepts are right and true.

However, in the world today, the words of prophets and truth have are constantly being spun or twisted.  And like the people of ancient times, too many seek only comfortable solutions to their problems.  In our drug-infested culture, many desire a simple pill or quick fix to remedy whatever ails them.

Jeffrey Holland describes this trend in the following quote: Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don't rock the boat but don't even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds.

Talk about man creating God in his own image! Sometimes-and this seems the greatest irony of all-these folks invoke the name of Jesus as one who was this kind of "comfortable" God.  

Really? He who said not only should we not break commandments, but we should not even think about breaking them. And if we do think about breaking them, we have already broken them in our heart. Does that sound like "comfortable" doctrine, easy on the ear and popular down at the village love-in?

Too often the recipes for peace and enlightenment are too easy.   

Henry Fairlie, in his book, The Seven Deadly Sins Today (1978) further elaborates:  Twenty minutes of transcendental meditation, or of mindlessly chanting the name of god, or of simply standing on one's head, and the thing is done; One is again made whole, at peace with the world, with one's fellows, and of course with oneself. Universal harmony has never been offered so cheaply before.  

Just as Christ taught a gospel that requires discipline devoid of shortcuts or quick fixes, so too does the gaining and maintaining of good health. It is more than taking the right pill or potion.

What many of my patients do not (or are not willing) to understand is that the way to health (at least to a greater degree than you experience now) is available. I may be a good resource for many, but I definitely do not have all of the answers - particularly for you. I witness to you, that the answers, the path and your road to recovery is there for you. But it will only be revealed as you are willing to listen, obey and allow yourself to be transformed by the Spirit, which we call Holy. For most of us, answers will only come as a trickle. Remember, God does not want to hold us accountable for more than we are able or willing to handle. Answers typically will not come, until you are sincerely willing to listen and follow. His first impression to you may be something as simple as "Go to bed earlier" or "You need to start walking". It will be different for each of us. As you listen and obey, you will become more trustworthy in Gods eyes and you will be given more.

Do not expect like Saul (who became Paul) an all-at-once transformational experience - Although I have seen them. "Becoming" is often a painstakingly slow progression. But as you shift your recovery to that of a spiritual nature rather than a checklist of supplements to take or a diet to follow, you will begin to change, you will begin to transform, you will become a new creature - Someone who listens to and obeys the inner voice or spirit rather than popular opinion (even if that opinion is paid for in a doctors office). And here is the miracle in all of this. You will gain strength and motivation and power as you listen to and obey your conscience (the voice of God in you). Grab hold of the truth as it is revealed to you and you will be given power and strength from on high to do it. I am convinced that sheer will power and determination are not enough for us to traverse through the valleys and shadows of depression, anxiety and laziness. It is only when we tap into the power of God and take the first steps in following inspired directives (that begin with the simplest of steps), that we will be entrusted with more.

My prayer for each of us is that we will somehow muster the desire, courage and power to realize it is all about God and Spirit and Happiness. You cannot enjoy happiness "doing it your own way" - unless of course, your way becomes God's way. It is not easy. In fact, it is hard. The high road is, by definition, uphill. But the vistas are breathtaking and spectacular. The way is not popular. But it is sure. You will face opposition but if you listen and follow, you will be doing the right thing. You cannot do it alone, but with God it is possible. 

Blessings,

Dr. Kyle Christensen

November 4, 2014