Friday, January 8, 2010

A Divine 'Adjustment'


Subluxations. Thermography. Adjustments. Terms familiar to the doctor of chiropractic. Following a minor car accident in which I sustained some soft tissue injuries to my back, my general practitioner gave me muscle relaxers and pain medication. When this treatment failed to alleviate my symptoms, several of my friends suggested going to a chiropractor. I have to admit that I was a bit leery.


The chiropractor was very knowledgeable, and spent time explaining what he saw on my x-rays, and the course of treatment he would pursue. When I began treatment, I needed several adjustments which meant multiple trips to his office the first few weeks. As the adjustments began lining things up as they should be, I didn't need to be seen as often. Periodic reevaluation let the chiropractor know when I was ready to be put on a maintenance program, only needing adjustments twice a month.


Having one adjustment was not a cure-all. Although the initial injury I went to the chiropractor to fix, is a thing of the past, the things I do in everyday life often cause more subluxations to occur. According to my chiropractor, a subluxation is "when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. This pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes those nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves" (www.annischiropractic.com). He explains how subluxations affect you, "Your nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. If you interfere with the signals traveling over nerves, parts of your body will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function at 100% of their innate abilities. In other words, some part of your body will not be working properly."


Wow! In addition to physical subluxations, I often suffer with spiritual subluxations. Those times when I decide to lean on my own understanding and move off the path God has for me. This creates pressure in my spirit - my old nature fights with my new nature. Paul gives an accurate word-picture in the book of Romans, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do" (Romans 7:18-19; KJV). He goes on to say, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 7:22-25a).


My hope lies in my Heavenly 'chiropractor', who is able to make the necessary 'adjustments' in my life when I keep my 'appointments' with Him. His Word is "quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). As I keep my daily 'appointment' with Him, praying and reading His Word, I become aware of those areas where I have not been obedient to Him. I can choose to agree with Him, submit to His 'adjustment,' by repenting of my sin, and once again function with His power flowing through me.


Some days I need more 'adjustments' than others. The beautiful thing is that the Heavenly 'chiropractor' is always 'in.' His 'office' is never closed. He never takes a vacation. In fact, He bids us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).


Struggling with sin's 'subluxations' in your life? Make an 'appointment' with your Heavenly 'chiropractor' and yield to the 'adjustments' that will allow you to function at 100% of the ability He's given you!

11 comments:

  1. I think I need several adjustments today:) But I am glad that there is a heavenly solution. Looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of my faith...
    Blessings to you and your readers,
    Karen

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  2. Great analogy, Friend! I've never been to a chiro, but I understand back problems all too well. I'm so thankful for Christ, for his grace and correction.

    Have a great weekend!

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  3. Maria, as a young child (10 years-old) I couldn't walk. Something in my back was keeping me from walking. The Chiropractor fixed it after many months of treatment. The medical doctors wanted to do exploratory surgery and my dad wouldn't let them. (They said it could permanently disable me.) The Chiro fixed it.

    Reading your comparison made me think back. God was faithful then and he is faithful now. He is my redeemer, my love.

    And there are times that I try to 'fix' things on my own. I make such a MESS of it too. I'm glad he says, "Robyn I forgive you for thinking you can do what I can do." Isn't it wonderful? Happy weekend Maria. :-)

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  4. Hi Maria -

    Having gone to chiropractors, I can see how their adjustments can be compared to my Heavenly Father's adjustments. I'm going to tell my chiropractor about your post.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  5. Beautiful and encouraging post Maria. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Blessings
    Vickie

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  6. I go to the chiropractor when something is wrong and usually get relief. But I had never thought of a Divine adjustment in that light.
    I needed encouragement especially today. Thanks.

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  7. Karen - Those regular adjustments are what keep me from making a straying too far off the path God has for me. Have a blessed weekend!

    Kristen - Thanks for your encouragement! Praying for you as you venture out in faith for Him! God bless!

    Robyn - Thanks for sharing your amazing story! I've really become a believer in chiropractic over the years. One of my friends was told that she'd need back surgery, the chiropractor was able to correct her problem without surgery! Our Heavenly adjuster is even more amazing!! Blessings to you & your family!

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  8. Susan - Thank you for your sweet words! I appreciate your sharing this post with your chiropractor!! Have a fantastic weekend!! :)

    Vickie - Thank YOU for being an encouragement to me! I appreciate your comments! Have a beautiful, uplifting weekend in the Lord!!

    Aliene - So thankful that God could use this post to be an encouragement to you! He is so faithful!! I'm glad HIS words never return void, but they always accomplish what He pleases! Have a super blessed weekend!

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  9. Hi Maria,
    I am new to your blog, but was so blessed by it. I am a pastor's wife of 31 years and mother of 4 grown children. I pray the Lord will use you to be a Moses to other women. I sense God's hand upon your life.
    Blessings,
    Dixie

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  10. "when I keep my appointments with Him." Love this. I so need to take that to heart. Thank You!

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  11. Dixie - Welcome! Thanks so much for your sweet words of encouragement! And I appreciate your prayers more than you know. I invite you to stop by often and I look forward to getting to know you this year. God bless!

    Eileen - Ohhhh it can be so difficult to live the disciplined life! I know when I begin my days on my knees in prayer, it's so much easier to shed 'self' and 'put on' Christ! God's richest blessings to you!

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