How Hatred Destroys
S. I. McMillen, a physician skillful in writing as well as in practicing medicine, speaks of the devastating effects of hatred:
The moment I start hating a man, I become his slave. I can’t enjoy my work anymore because he even controls my thoughts. My resentments produce too many stress hormones in my body and I become fatigued after only a few hours of work. The work I formerly enjoyed is now drudgery. Even vacations cease to give me pleasure. It may be a luxurious car that I drive along a lake fringed with the autumnal beauty of maple, oak, and birch. As far as my experience of pleasure is concerned, I might as well be driving a wagon in mud and rain.
The man I hate hounds me wherever I go. I can’t escape his tyrannical grasp on my mind. When the waiter serves me porterhouse steak with french fries, asparagus, crisp salad, and strawberry shortcake smothered with ice cream, it might as well be stale bread and water. My teeth chew the food and I swallow it, but the man I hate will not permit me to enjoy it… The man I hate may be many miles from my bedroom; but more cruel than any slave driver, he whips my thoughts into such a frenzy that my innerspring mattress becomes a rack of torture. The lowliest of the serfs can sleep, but not I. I really must acknowledge the fact that I am a slave to every man on whom I pour the vials of my wrath (None of These Diseases, Revell, pp. 73-74).
Fortunately, the Bible points the way to a cure: “Let there be no more resentment, no more anger or temper, no more violent self-assertiveness, no more slander, and no more malicious remarks. Be kind to one another; be understanding. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:31-32, PH).
Strecker and Appel have an additional comment on the relationship of emotions to the body:
If aroused to a high pitch, shame, distress, hate, envy, jealousy all strike to the very core of our being. They leave us worn, tired, incapable, and almost helpless. The blush of shame, the haggard countenance of distress, the consuming burning of jealousy and envy, and the facial and vocal expressions of hate are striking testimonials to the deteriorating effect of these emotions upon the body. We may jump with joy or droop with sorrow (Discovering Ourselves, p. 12).
Like Dr. English, Strecker and Appel use practically the same words to describe hurtful emotions as the Bible does in speaking of the works of the flesh.
Reacting Biblically
S. I. McMillen says the stress of living does not cause big or little problems to adversely affect the body. Rather, it is one’s reactions to his problems. Stress can be beneficial. It is the spirit of retaliation that calls forth glandular toxins.
“Is it not a remarkable fact,” he asks, “that our reactions to stress determine whether stress is going to cure us or make us sick? Here is an important key to longer and happier living. We hold the key and can decide whether stress is going to work for us or against us. Our attitude decides whether stress makes us ‘better or bitter’ ” (None of These Diseases, p. 111).
“Nervous” patients demand the kind of medicine that comes in a box or bottle. But they fail to recognize, say Strecker and Appel, that the medicine they need is mental peace. “It is almost axiomatic that in the presence of a clear, honest, and conscious understanding of the conflict, a neurosis cannot occur” (Discovering Ourselves, p. 204).
The Bible’s admonition is to confess your lower nature or works of the flesh, your hurtful emotions–your sins–and God will be faithful to forgive your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Admit to God that these things are true of you, and then cleansing–-fellowship with the Lord and inner peace–will be yours.
The refreshing cleansing that comes from God is capable of washing away all aches and pains brought on by a troubled mind.
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Questions for review:
- What are some of the emotions that can cause psychosomatic illnesses?
- Over the next week, try to observe any instance in which you have a physical response to an emotion.
- The author mentions that the Bible points the way to a cure for psychosomatic illness problems in Eph. 4:31-32. What do those verses say?
- S. I. McMillen says that stress can work either ________ us or _______________ us.
- What is the Bible’s admonition to us on this subject? Memorize 1 John 1:9 and follow its instruction to take a step toward inner peace.
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The Struggle for Inner Peace-Lesson 7