fbpx
Print this page
Thursday, 21 November 2024 09:55

Healing a 'sick' heart

Written by  Farmer's Chaplain Colin Miller
Farmer's Chaplain, Colin Miller. Farmer's Chaplain, Colin Miller.

OPINION: Like many of you, I am familiar with the old adage "You are what you eat".

Of course, there is a lot of truth in those words. What we eat has a direct effect on our overall physical wellbeing. We would have to be deluded to think we can keep our bodies in top shape on a rubbish diet. Yep, simply put, we need to put good quality fuel in our tanks! And yes, I try my best to do exactly that.

I also heard some wise words many years ago that have stuck with me through my journey through life. Here they are: "It's not so much what you eat, but what's eating you."

The need for a good diet is a give, but the truth is, what's eating you can actually override your great diet. Sadly, I must admit I have seen this exact thing with people many times.

When we think those words though, they are talking about what is happening in our inner world. What's going down on the inside; that part of you we can't see with our physical eyes.

Being out of shape physically is usually more readily visible than with this inward stuff. It may take a little longer to notice, but show up in our health, it most definitely will!

Today I will put my finger on one of these silent assassins that can wreak havoc in our inner world. I call this one "unfulfilled expectations".

Everybody carries expectations. We go into things expecting something. That's normal for us humans. What does the future look like, what does it promise me? What are we hoping for up ahead?

Whether it be business related, a new job or position, or a move to another location, we carry an expectancy in us related to that. Perhaps we were expecting to be chosen for a promotion, or a team, but our name just doesn't get called... what then?

This is most certainly true when it comes to our relationships. What if our expectations and hopes all 'turn to custard', where do we go from there?

Can I mention here, families and the wills of the deceased, just for starters. Unfulfilled expectations abound! There are times when people develop their expectations in their own imaginations. Nothing has been said, done or promised, it's all been cooked up in their own minds. Again, I have witnessed exactly this many times.

However, this is not always the case. The expectations and hopes come directly from what others have said, done, or promised. But much less than was expected comes of it. Or maybe it's even worse; nothing at all ever comes of it!

When a nagging deep disappointment takes hold, bitterness and unforgiveness won't be far away. And now something in your inner world is seriously eating you up. The truth is it will take much more than dietary adjustments, changes and/or supplements to make headway through this stuff.

That just won't cut it.

A pertinent brief quote from the Good Book will fit in here nicely: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick". Indeed, how true!

We then ponder, where to from here? Is there hope? Is there a solution: If you can find someone or get connected to someone who knows something about 'the heart', then you are well on the way to getting free. And yes, I do know and can recommend that someone to you. Until next time, God Bless.

To contact Colin: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

More like this

Filling the loneliness void

OPINION: Like many others in our rural communities, I grew up in a farmhouse with our telephone proudly sporting something like a crank handle on it.

Reflecting the true spirit of Christmas

OPINION: I trust all is well at your place. It's obvious the Christmas season is upon us, as I sit at my keyboard today. I'm looking forward to a bit of a breather and catching up with friends and family again.

Take time out, refresh

OPINION: I must admit I really do enjoy spring. The extra daylight minutes and the warmer temps are very welcome in my world!

Featured

Farmer input needed to combat FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on livestock farmers to take part in a survey measuring the financial impact of facial eczema (FE).

Editorial: Escaping Trump's wrath

OPINION: President Donald Trump's bizarre hard line approach to the world of what was once 'rules-based trade' has got New Zealand government officials, politicians and exporters on tenterhooks.

Wool pellets to boost gardens

With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.

National

Machinery & Products

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the…

New seed drill tech coming

Incorporating Vaderstad's latest seed drill technology, the Proceed V 24, is said to improve precision and increase planting efficiencies for…