Words and Their Effect on Health...

Yesterday I delivered a sermon that was based on Psalm 119 and Matthew 13. In both of these passages, words, especially those sent by God, play a very important role in our ability to find our way in the world. It got me thinking about the importance of words and our health. There are a lot of words written daily about health and disease and how to get the former and prevent the latter. There are so many words, in fact, that it is quite overwhelming to the average person (truth be told, it's overwhelming to health professionals too).

Words convey facts, opinions, transfer knowledge, engage us in debate, and they can lead us to the introspection that may eventually result in wisdom. One of the most difficult aspects of words is that when they are written it is often difficult to discern whether what is written is fact or opinion. While opinions can be valuable when there are no good data on a subject, they can be misleading and ultimately harmful when taken out of context. One thing that I know after more than 20 years of healthcare practice is that one person's experience is one person's experience. Each human body is uniquely created and operates on its own set of plans. Extrapolating one person's experience can quickly lead to disaster.

Be cautious when using chat rooms and public opinion portals. Even use of "professional" sites with on-line health practitioners is a gamble as they can not know you to the extent they need to in order to render a thorough opinion. Talk with people who know you and who know what is important to you when making decisions. Remember to consult with writings that address the spiritual needs in your life. Understanding the nuances of medical literature, statistics, research design and reporting are all difficult aspects of becoming informed. Take your time and find people that you trust to support you on your journey. Always remember, things that sound too good are never useful and are often harmful.

Deciphering health literature is what Possibilities Journey, Inc, is all about. We work daily to develop relationships with people in order to help them idenitfy and use the words that are available in making well informed decisions on health, wellness and wholeness. You can see what we're up to at: www.possjrny.org. This week I wish you all well as you wade through the words that are presented to you. If we can be of help, drop us a note.

Peace,
Dan