What? Illness could actually have some benefits?

Remember that Jesus asked a paralyzed man an equally strange question.

He asked: Do you WANT to be well? (You can find this in the Gospel of John 5:6). Why would anyone not WANT to be well? I think you will find some clues in this article.

This week I am finishing reading the book “Getting Well Again”. While the emphasis of the book focuses on working with cancer patients, the principles that are discussed can apply to ANY illness as well as the prevention of sickness.

Getting Well Again discusses the results of research made by many scientists and doctors who are fast coming to the conclusion that recovery from any illness (cancer included) has a LOT to do with the state of the patient’s mind.

Actually there are so many fascinating truths in this book, that I will probably be writing about more of them in future articles, but today I wanted to focus on:

The “Benefits” of Illness.

Notice the word “benefits” is inside of speech marks. This is because they are not really benefits as much as conveniences. Let’s look at three main ones:

A person who feels that they are not receiving the attention they think they deserve or that they need is likely to create a subconscious plan that will capture people’s attention.

This plan may include getting sick. Of course no one (or at least no one in their right mind) will deliberately want to get sick just to get the attention of others. But the subconscious mind works in very subtle ways.

Prevention solution:
I am sure you are familiar with the law of sowing and reaping right?

Whatever you sow, you will reap (Galations 6:7). This law is rather obvious when you consider the garden. You sow carrot seeds and could never expect to see a harvest of corn right?

So how can this be applied to receiving the attention of people around you that you may desire or need?

Give and it shall be given to you. (Luke 6:38) Give to others what you need, and your needs also will be fulfilled.

Stress is a part of everyday life. The effects of stress in your life actually depend on how you handle the situation that is stressful.

One of the very subtle ways a lot of people handle stress is to try and run away from it. This will cause an “escape mechanism” to be build in your subconscious mind. An illness can sometimes be a part of this mechanism.

A sickness may well give you temporary relief and refuge from the responsibilities that the stressful situation(s) carry. However this relief is only temporary because once you recover, the responsibilities have to be faced again. This is often why some people do not recover.

Prevention solution:

• Face problems with a solution seeking mindset.
• Set specific time aside for problem solving and do not allow yourself to think about them continually. For the remainder of the day, focus on goals, project planning and other positive areas of your life.
• Make sure you have time out to relax on a regular basis.

In the busyness, demands and stress of modern life so often emotional needs are suppressed and even buried. However your mind has not buried them. It knows they are there, and that they are not met.

Eventually your subconscious mind will devise a plan order to face you with these needs. This plan could include illness.

Prevention solution:

• Take time out on a regular basis (at least once a week) to listen to yourself.
• Do something special that you enjoy and that is away from your regular routine. Try to make this a weekly event also.
• Reread solution #1. Remember the law of sowing and reaping.

I am sure that you have some solutions and comments to share. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments below.

Resource: Getting Well Again – a Step-By-Step, Self-help Guide to Overcoming Cancer for Patients and Their Families. (Amazon Aff).