Devotionals

ALIGNMENTS

by Debbie Kennedy
10/17/20
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Our health is something that we should all value greatly. Whole health means our whole being.  Just recently I made an appointment for an alignment with my chiropractor that I have really grown to respect over the last year. I have had alignments every so often for a few years now due to some lower back issues that I have struggled with at more chronic levels over the last couple of years. I did switch chiropractors a year ago when my massage therapist suggested that I should visit Dr. B.  Wolther.  Dr. B, as I will refer to him as, promotes ongoing wellness by improving spinal and joint functions often resulting in a healthier, more active lifestyle. With regular adjustments, chiropractic offers a host of preventative health benefits, and is vital for keeping our body balanced, flexible and functioning at its best.

God certainly designed these beautiful bodies (temples) of ours to work and function well! 1 Corinthians 6:19 – Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. When we experience symptoms and pain, we want to figure out the problem and take action to heal whatever is out of sorts. When we have health problems it causes us to take notice and hopefully take preventative measures to make certain we are doing what we can to take care of ourselves. I am an active individual with a lot of energy who enjoys many activities. Music, exercise and movement are enjoyable to me – intrinsic motivation happened many years ago.  Millions of Americans have found pathway to wellness with Chiropractors natural, drug-free approach to healthcare.

Were you aware that your spinal column is made up of 24 independent vertebrae which allows us to twist, move, and bend through every motion of our busy day- 24?! Also, it helps protect the delicate central nervous system that controls and coordinates every muscle, tissue, and organ of the body. Our spines are important. Wow, who thinks about that unless we are doctors or in anatomy class?! These bodies are AMAZING! God thought of every detail! Understanding that an active lifestyle is the first step to a properly functioning spine.

A malfunction occurs when two or more vertebrae are not functioning together properly – referred to as a misalignment. Joint disfunctions can often go unnoticed and can cause miscommunications between your brain and body. We then can experience pain, discomfort, decreased mobility, and many other symptoms and conditions.

With learning about my bulging discs and occasional joint malfunctions I no longer tough out the pain if it lasts for more than a week and is at a level that causes distress.  I recognized the signal and made the appointment because I have experienced such benefit. During the visit Dr. B heated up the lower back and gently made the necessary adjustments so that my hips and spine would be back in proper alignment. We spoke briefly about the Covid-19 and his views on it. I respected his views and agreed with most of what he had to say. What I also loved about the appointment though was that he weaved in a verse from the Bible. We were speaking of the heightened stress in these current days and the unrest in our country that has left us with so much uncertainty. God never promised it would be easy for us, now did HE. But what HE offers us is that HE would carry the bulk of our stress – Luke 10:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Whole health is our entire being -body, mind, and spirit! Dr. B knows I am a Christian because naturally we have both spoken of God and His goodness in our brief conversations during my occasional alignments. What is important to each of us as humans and what we choose to believe and fix our thoughts upon, will flow from our hearts and spill out of our mouths. I value a doctor who can share a good word with a patient! I am familiar with the verse but the way Dr. B, without hesitation, shared a quick analogy and the verse from above (Luke 10:28-30) encouraged my heart and in a way realigned my spirit at the same time he realigned my spine.  He owns his own practice, promotes whole health, and trusts God wholeheartedly. Love it!

A day or so after this alignment appointment with my chiropractor, my heart “chiropractor” stirred up some things and provoked some thoughts- I love that! Those personal lessons that weave truth into our life experiences minister to our hearts now, don’t they?  I have been considering the number of realignments we must make as Christians to be practicing and learning to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. How easily we can be led astray, even if we begin with good intentions. I would say it is critical that we make intentional effort to seek the Lord daily in prayer, looking into His word, and quieting ourselves to listen. Jesus’s words to his beloved disciples – “Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I do not go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness.” (John 16:7-8)

Perhaps the suggestion of even visualizing ourselves laying on the alter on occasion could potentially be powerful and helpful for us. The position of the body, soul, and spirit – take it and realign it Lord, I offer everything to you today once again!  I tried this just this morning and what a beautiful experience that was. I challenge you to try it! 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV – “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 Once we believed and received Jesus, we live in an exchanged spirit. His for ours -we are filled by the Holy Spirit. His influence in our spirits begin to spill out into our soul, not only awakening it from spiritual slumber, but also progressively conforming it into the image of Jesus Christ (see 2 Peter. 1:34) We need to understand that we are not ever going to arrive at spiritual perfection, but as we cooperate, we will be in progression and more readily able to distinguish His voice from all the others. We will always make some mistakes discerning the voice of God; however, He also knows our hearts and intentions. Do we choose to spend time with Him? He does not hide from us, nor can we hide from Him. He will graciously verify His message through His Word, through circumstances, or even through another person.

God knows our desire to hear Him accurately and follow His guidance.  If fear keeps us from risking because we are too afraid to make mistakes, we miss out on the chances to walk in victory or experience the joy of relationship with Him. Mistakes often make the greatest teachers to help us learn to discern Him more clearly moving forward. It takes practice- this requires a surrendered heart willing to make realignments with His truths and guidance. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

I loved this side note (perhaps you will as well) that I came across during a study and agree wholeheartedly with this statement made by author and Bible teacher, Kay Arthur –“If I believe in the truth found in Romans 12:1-2 and have presented my body to Him as a living sacrifice (which I have done) and are being transformed by the renewing of my mind, then I’m able to prove – to put to the test- what His will is. He is going to show me that which is good, acceptable, and perfect for me.”

What parts of your body currently do you struggle with to present to God as a living sacrifice? I am asking myself this question as well. In order to get our whole being in realignment, able to hear God and obey Him across all systems and structures – spirit, soul, and body – we are going to have to maintain a posture of surrender. I visualized this like spiritual chiropractic care! What is it for you? Could it be your mind (what you think about)? I will confess, mine gets a little messy at times! Is it your eyes (what you see)? What about your hands (what you do)? It could not possibly be your mouth now, could it (what you say)? Oh, but what about those ears (what is it that you listen to)? Your feet (where do you go)? There could be others, so feel free to think on that. Ask God to reveal it to you, He is faithful to do it.  Why do you think it may be a challenge to yield this area to the Lord? All He requires is that we do our part, and He will do His.

Romans 8:11 ESV –“ If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Prayer: Lord, we offer everything we are to you. You indwell us the moment we receive You.  Reveal what area needs to be realigned in our lives so that we can do what we need to do and allow you to do the rest! - Amen