Stripping Down to the Core of Things.....

BEFORE:
AFTER:
Well, our home now has the hardwood floor on the main level stripped, sanded, stained and varnished....definitely a whole new image to start fresh with. I am just amazed at how many fresh starts we're allowed in life. The beginning of each school transition (elementary, middle, high school and college), the choice of churches to start over in if so desired, jobs from working age up to retirement, places to live, pets, clothes styles, I could go on and on. The two most important ones I will touch on today have to do with my two favorite topics: faith and health. As I was watching my husband chisel through the sludge on our floor to reveal the gorgeous bare wood beneath, I had two thoughts go through my head: How Jesus cleanses our lives to create a fresh start, and how natural health allows us a fresh start from diseases. Weird, I know, but please allow me to go into a little detail:

Now, most Christians know of Jesus' offer of eternal life-a choice we can make to have a fresh start with a Christian lifestyle and a promise of eternal life in heaven. But there are people out there who haven't quite grasped the simplicity of forgiveness that our Father has given to us. I hate to relate our offer of salvation to stripping a floor, but the two do have some similarities. Here goes: over the years our hearts can become polluted with "sludge" or misguided thoughts and actions. From lying, stealing, getting wasted, gossiping, having sex outside marriage to hating, being jealous and using the Lord's name in vain. No one can take the claim to being perfect, except Jesus. So we all start out on the same foot....as sinners. Now, the difference with us is that we won't all go to that next step of being stripped down to the core--the very simple but meaningful act of asking for forgiveness. We need to do this in order to be saved from the selfish desires of our hearts. After the stripping process, Jesus can help give our lives a colorful "stain" and will even give us a coat of varnish to protect us from the sludge that can build up again in our hearts. All we need to do is remember to ask him to help us start over to do things his way. If my husband and I had decided to move into our house and leave it the way all the previous owners had over the past 100 years, we'd never enjoy the beauty of what lies beneath. By grace, God has given our family the means to strip down our floor to start over, and through God's grace, He has given all of us the means to start over in our daily lives. I have some links and books listed down in the margin that can help get you going on the right track (if you're not already)!

Now, let's flip the coin over to view the Health Side. Let's say that you have a sinus infection. What are your choices? Be miserable or go to the doctor to get an antibiotic to have a "clean start". Right? Well, let's see what an antibiotic does. When I was younger, I thought it was a pill that my stomach sent to my nose and broke up all the congestion and sent it out. Well, that's an idea, but probably not the most widely accepted one. When you take an antibiotic, we know that it "strips the body of good flora" in the intestine along with all the "invader" that caused the main problem. So how did the sinuses get involved then?

Here's the natural approach to understanding: When your body has an invader go through the digestive tract (virus, bacteria, chemical, etc) it builds up mucus as a protectant, which leads to congestion in the stomach (flu with mucus vomit), congestion in the lungs and throat, or congestion in the sinuses. The antibiotic will strip out everything and then the mucus gets flushed out the proper way, hence the reason for it being a stripper. But, when using the "stripper" it takes out everything, including good flora, so you have to replace it with beneficial bacteria from yogurt or acidolphus capsules. You also take the chance of your body building an immunity for the antibiotic's effectiveness for when you really might need it! If you want to avoid using an antibiotic, here are some options:

If your problem was VIRAL, you would typically get sent home from the doctor with over the counter medications to lessen the symptoms. If our family finds out we have a viral infection, we get on Nature's Sunshine VIRAL RECOVERY, along with using the old methods of magnesium (Epsom salt) baths for bodyaches, fennel capsules for congestion, PEPPERMINT OIL for digestive issues, TEI FU ESSENTIAL OIL for respiratory issues, and TEA TREE OIL as an antiseptic. Specific essential oils can help with evey health problem out there, here is a helpful ESSENTIAL OILS GUIDE, that you can purchase from Nature's Sunshine.

So, if the problem was BACTERIAL, most people think an antibiotic is necessary, otherwise more serious problems can result. Our family uses homeopathic drops called BAC HP (Bacteria Homeopathic) or INFECTASTAT...just to get your mind thinking that there isn't always a necessity to use antibiotics, even when everyone else says so.
Now, if the problem is CHEMICALLY derived and you are unaware of any chemicals that may have bothered you, your doctor will tell you you probably have a virus (there's no office visit that can tell you that it's from chemicals) or allergies. When our family was using chemicals to strip our floors, and chemicals to stain and varnish, our little ones and I began getting congestion (coughing, gunky noses, etc) as our bodies were building mucus up as a protectant against its' invaders (the chemicals). What did we do? Well, an antibiotic for the sinus infections would've cleaned out all the chemicals we had ingested through breathing over the days we worked, but since we knew it was a result of chemicals, we took CHARCOAL (ACTIVATED) capsules (a natural "sponge" that soaks up chemicals in the intestine to leave the good flora safely behind) and ALOE VERA JUICE from Nature's Sunshine to help sooth the intestinal lining. Sure, it took a few days, but we are feeling good again, and are not susceptible to any viruses since our intestinal lining was left safe and sound after being only partially "stripped" the natural way.

Those individuals who get into doing things naturally with their health, find over a few years' time, their health problems lessen and they feel better than they have ever felt. God intended for us to read the warning signs our bodies give to us and pray about recovery to receive it. He did not intend for us to always go to the Doctor looking for answers, when all the while we have the answers right in herbs, remedies, and prayer. If you feel blinded at going naturally, I have some good books listed in the margins along with some links that got me started. Be sure to also seek out a professional natural health practicioner who can help guide you in your new adventure!

In God's Love, Snack-N-Soul Sister

******The information in this BLOG is strictly for educational purposes. It should not be used to treat, diagnose, or prescribe for a condition you feel you may have. If you have any health concerns, you should see a competent medical practitioner. ******