Chillin’ Beats the Villain

Today I learned a great lesson. My posture has been getting worse over the past few years because I allow my head to hang forward. A physical therapist said our heads weight 10 to 14 pounds (the same weight as a bowling ball). For every inch we lean forward, we are putting 10 pounds of pressure on our neck muscles. It’s taking work, but I’m keeping my head centered on my body and am immediately seeing less pain, better breathing, and I’m standing taller. It’s nice to get rid of this literal “pain in the neck.”

I’m learning to “chill” in my body, but it starts with my mind. Proverbs 17:22 says that a heart of rejoicing and cheer brings a cure. I’ve been carrying around a lot of unnecessary pressure in my body for a while. It takes active thought and focus to change my bad habit. I must remind myself throughout the day to let my muscles relax. I’ve changed my computer screen setup, hold my phone closer to my face to read it, and change how I sit in a chair or sofa. Now I look at myself honestly and clearly in the mirror, and Sherry helps me remember if I forget to keep my head up. I am thankful.

Why do I carry so much tension? My Dad was pretty high-strung and I may have modeled some of his behavior. Getting rid of my physical pressure and pain has helped me to slow down and be more patient. I learned a while back to remove self-imposed deadlines that caused me to be hasty and anxious. When I’m at peace, things work out much better.

Of course, we all live in God’s beautiful creation that has been marred by the Devil’s effects. That can bring mental pressure that harms our physical health. So, what should we do?

John 16:33:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation [thlipsis, pressure]: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The Greek word thlipsis comes from the verb thlibō, which means to “crowd in.” Life’s challenges and difficulties seem to crowd in on us at times. That’s when Jesus said we should “be of good cheer.” This word [tharseō] is used in the New Testament when Jesus encourages others to bring healing and release from fear (Matthew 9:2,22; 14:27; Mark 6:50; 10:49 where others encourage a person to see Jesus; Luke 8:48; John 16:33; Acts 23:11 where Jesus appears to Paul).

Tharseō can mean to have our thoughts well arranged. How do we do that? By keeping our “heads centered” on the truth. By testing things around us with “God’s opinion” of them from the scriptures, and by God’s gift of holy spirit that works within us.

I Thessalonians 5:21:
Prove [test] all things; hold fast that which is good.

I Corinthians 2:13:
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Jesus Christ promises peace in a world full of pressure. The adversary, that old villain the Devil, has whole spiritual systems and courses (Ephesians 2:2) set up to bring us down. But like an “island mellow” that we saw living on Guam, we can be “chillin’” in the face of the villain. We can have the peace Christ offers when we arrange our thoughts to recognize his unending love and comfort. That’s how each of us can have a blessed day in our thinking—and enjoy a relaxed and healthy body.

Romans 8:37:
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

I John 5:4:
For whoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith [trusting in the Lord].