You have probably heard the expression, “you are what you eat.” Well, I recently read a story of a woman who had been diagnosed with brain cancer. When the doctors began surgery, they discovered that it was not cancer but a tape worm that entered her system through something she had eaten. She ate something that slowly began to eat away at her. Just as we can feed on food that can kill us, we can also feed on thoughts that can cripple us emotionally, spiritually, and physically, and ultimately to an untimely death.
Studies show that stress, anger, bitterness, hurt, and even loneliness can produce acids in the body which eat away at the natural protectors of our bodies. Unless you put acids in the right containers, the acid will eat away at the container. Doctors and oncologists tell us that many conditions that lead to an early grave are caused by stress. Sometimes the things that we do to relieve stress only feed the thing that is already feeding on us. If we want to ‘live long and prosper,’ we must discipline ourselves for a diet change.
The next time you find yourself worried about what someone else is, or is not, doing, just know that you just might be preparing a meal for the worms. If you can find a way to forgive the person who hurt you and let go of the need to hold onto the pain, you may find that there is a much healthier diet available to you. If you find ways to release the destructive stresses in your life, you will probably discover a smorgasbord to feed from that will lead to joy instead of pain. What a concept? If I can acquire the discipline to stop feeding the worms, I may avoid an early grave, where the worms will then have a feast on my remains.