Mind and Health
27
Inability to Reason Rationally—A student may devote all his
powers to acquire knowledge; but unless he has a knowledge of God,
unless he obeys the laws that govern his own being, he will destroy
himself. By wrong habits he loses the power of self-appreciation;
he loses self-control. He cannot reason correctly about matters that
concern him most deeply. He is reckless and irrational in his treatment
of mind and body. Through his neglect to cultivate right principles, he
is ruined both for this world and for the world to come.—
The Ministry
of Healing, 450
(1905).
Self-centeredness a Hindrance to Recovery [
See chapter 30,
“Selfishness and self-centeredness.”
]—One of the surest hindrances
to the recovery of the sick is the centering of attention upon them-
selves. Many invalids feel that everyone should give them sympathy
and help, when what they need is to have their attention turned away
from themselves, to think of and care for others.—
The Ministry of
Healing, 256
(1905).
Divert Mind From Self—Exercise will aid the work of digestion.
To walk out after a meal, hold the head erect, put back the shoulders,
and exercise moderately, will be a great benefit. The mind will be
diverted from self to the beauties of nature. The less the attention
is called to the stomach after a meal, the better. If you are in con-
stant fear that your food will hurt you, it most assuredly will. Forget
self, and think of something cheerful.—
Testimonies for the Church
2:530
(1870).
[402]
Doing Good Releases Positive Forces—The pleasure of doing
good animates the mind and vibrates through the whole body. While
the faces of benevolent men are lighted up with cheerfulness and
their countenances express the moral elevation of the mind, those of
selfish, stingy men are dejected, cast down, and gloomy. Their moral
defects are seen in their countenances.—
Testimonies for the Church
2:534
(1870).
Security Improves Health—When men who have indulged in
wrong habits and sinful practices yield to the power of divine truth, the
application of that truth to the heart revives the moral powers, which
had seemed to be paralyzed. The receiver possesses stronger, clearer
understanding than before he riveted his soul to the Eternal Rock.
Even his physical health improves by the realization of his security
in Christ. The special blessing of God resting upon the receiver is of