Mike Stone - Negative Emotions affect Your Health
March 30, 2019
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March 30, 2019
Essel said (March 30, 2019):
Very interesting and largely accurate article. But incomplete. Incomplete, because it is difficult for many to control their emotions with the sole aim of maintaining the health of the body. Why?
For it is a purely naturalistic goal which is contrary to human nature. Indeed, not only does man have a body, but he also has a soul, and it is located much higher in the order of dignity. The mind must, as far as possible, control the body. And not only in sexual matters.
Human actions, according to Saint Thomas Aquinas in accordance with traditional Catholic doctrine, must always be directed towards the search for the greatest good. In any situation, no matter how terrible it may be.
I can personally testify that every time such an act, however small or even invisible it may appear in the eyes of the public, is experienced with unspeakable joy and the evils of the body are simply forgotten.
Pleasure is the exultation of the body that we share with the animals. But joy is the exultation of the soul.
This does not necessarily make the health of the body, which, let us not forget, is mortal and subject to sickness as a punishment for original sin, but it does make us forget our miseries.
However, this is a consequence and a desired end for itself.
Of course, there are humanly incomprehensible events, such as the death of an innocent child, before which it is impossible not to be deeply saddened. Even Jesus wept when he saw the suffering of those who loved Lazarus and also before the fate - as He knew it - of the sinful Jerusalem.
Here is the answer to such situations. God is infinitely good and infinitely just, while we, miserable contingent beings, are limited in everything and cannot understand divine "management".
I have thus witnessed several times that Catholic families animated by a deep and reasoned faith (as it should be) have accepted, albeit in tears, the death of a child without being desperate.
In short, seeking health for a purely human purpose ("to enjoy life before death" as the pagans say) denotes a search for a bad end that implies that we exist for ourselves, which is ridiculous and above all false. There is no doubt that this will be paid for at Judgment Day. Be careful, I am not saying that this is Mike Stone's thought.
Marcos said (March 30, 2019):
Coincidentally, I just finished Dr Gabor Mate's book "When The Body Says No" which I recommend.
Yes, emotions can ruin your health and most auto-immune and inexplicable diseases are caused by them. Americans, who are taught to be tough since childhood, are the champions in this area.
However, the solution is exactly the opposite of what is recommended in the article. If you keep appeasing people and pretending everything is alright, forcing yourself to have "positive" thoughts, you will end up dead, because you are denying the problem and making it worse. Denying feelings is what put you in the situation in the first place. It is still trying to be tough but in a more sanctimonious way.
Instead, take care of yourself, learn to say no. Be honest and assess problems and emotional hurt with open eyes. Get rid of poisonous and abusive people. Acknowledge your weaknesses, learn to lose and trust God with what can't be dealt with.
Much of life sucks indeed. Deal with that so you can enjoy the good parts. That's maturity, in other words.
Only then you can be in a position to help people who really need and appreciate your help.
Henry Makow received his Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Toronto in 1982. He welcomes your comments at
RA said (March 31, 2019):
Is not the right attitude in relation to life to consider its end? Death, then eternal life with God, if we wanted to live for that end, by keeping His commandments.
So life is the time of trial, the great test.
In truth, one must face the difficulties of life with this point of view: Our Eternal Father (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) guides us, corrects us in preparation for this last end of eternal happiness.
Everything must be received as coming from the hand of the Father who loves us; our joys, our sorrows as a display of God's attention and love towards us. If we live like this our body and our psychology will probably not let go, because they are planned for that.