Without realizing it, countless millions are shortening their lives,
forfeiting happiness, committing slow suicide! How? By failing to control
their emotions! Read how emotional control influences health, happiness,
long life -- and eternal salvation!
A LITTLE-PUBLICIZED, but highly important, conference was held
in 1923 at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. Nine of the world's most
successful financiers attended that meeting.
Among those present were Presidents of the largest steel, gas and
utility companies in the world; the greatest wheat speculator; president of
the New York Stock Exchange; a member of the President's cabinet; the
greatest "Bear" on Wall Street; head of the world's largest monopoly and the
president of the Bank of International Settlements.
Here were gathered nine of the world's most "successful" men -- men who
had at least found the secret of MAKING MONEY. What had become of these
great men -- a quarter of a century later?
Reports "Food for Thought":
"The president of the largest independent steel company -- Samuel
Insull -- DIED A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE AND PENNILESS in a foreign land.
"The president of the largest gas company -- Howard Hopson -- became
insane.
"The greatest wheat speculator -- Arthur Cutten -- died abroad --
INSOLVENT.
"The president of the New York Stock Exchange -- Richard Whitney -- was
recently released from Sing-Sing.
"The member of the President's cabinet -- Albert Fall -- was PARDONED
FROM PRISON so he could die at home.
"The greatest 'Bear' in Wall Street -- Jesse Livermore -- died a
SUICIDE.
"The head of the greatest monopoly -- Ivar Kruegar -- died a SUICIDE.
"The president of the Bank of International Settlements -- Leon Fraser
-- died a SUICIDE.
"All of these men learned well the art of making money, but not one of
them learned how to live." This sad account of the lives of "successful" men
points up something drastically wrong in our society. THESE MEN NEVER
LEARNED PROPER EMOTIONAL CONTROL!
The great depression of 1929-39 may have been a contributing cause to
the financial ruination, felonies, insanity and suicides of these men. Yet
not one of them need have died in shame -- had they really learned HOW TO
LIVE! We might well be shocked to learn that three of these nine world
"greats" committed suicide. Yet millions of ordinary people -- maybe you --
are committing slow suicide -- without realizing it.
Myriads who would never consider deliberately taking their own lives
are in reality committing slow SUICIDE by giving free and uncontrolled rein
to their emotions! It is time we understand how to control our emotions. Why
do so many of us siphon away our energy, health, happiness -- and our very
life -- through lack of emotional control?
-------------------
PHOTO CAPTION: Withdrawn and depressed, a patient sits in an attitude all
too common in mental hospitals. Under proper supervision, and with a
willingness on the part of the patient to control his or her emotions, peace
of mind can be regained.
-------------------
Happiness Not Synonymous With Riches
Let's take an example of real emotional control.
Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was born into a humble, and
certainly less than wealthy, family. He grew to manhood as a hard-working
carpenter in the city of Nazareth. He possessed little in the way of
material possessions (Mark 6:3; Luke 9:58). He was, however, a man who knew
how to make others supremely happy. He knew well the vital principle: "A
MAN'S LIFE CONSISTETH NOT IN THE ABUNDANCE OF THE THINGS WHICH HE
POSSESSETH" (Luke 12:15).
"I AM COME," He said, "THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT
HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY" (John 10:10).
He inspired one of His very own apostles to write, "I wish above all
things that thou mayest PROSPER and be in HEALTH ..." (III John 2).
Not only does Jesus Christ wish us to have health, wealth, pleasure and
true happiness here and now. He wants us to enjoy these throughout all
eternity! "Thou wilt show me the path of LIFE: in thy presence is FULNESS OF
JOY; at thy right hand there are PLEASURES for evermore" (Ps. 16:11). Also,
see I Timothy 6:17.
But how? What are the rules of life that lead to this satisfying goal?
Mankind has never discovered the WAY which would produce this radiant
health, happiness and the ultimate -- eternal life (Prov. 14:12, Isa.
55:6-9). Only God, through His written revelation to man, the Holy Bible,
reveals it to man.
See how it can work for you!
Why
Emotional Control?
Why is EVERY OTHER HOSPITAL BED IN THE UNITED STATES OCCUPIED BY A
MENTALLY DISTURBED PATIENT? Why does the average American have about fifty
headaches per year -- nearly one a week?
Yes, why? Let's go back to the beginning of our troubles.
Almighty God revealed the way of happiness to our first parents. He
told Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden that if they transgressed His
command, sorrow, emotional upsets, agony and finally death would ensue (Gen.
2:15-17).
Understand HOW disobedience to the ways and laws of God actually brings
about, in this life, physical illness, mental problems, and eventual death.
Arrogant, blinded human beings often think they can flout the PHYSICAL
and SPIRITUAL laws of Almighty God with impunity. But a penalty is always
exacted -- sooner or later! Disobedience to -- transgression of -- God's
laws is SIN. The result of physical sin? Physical and mental suffering, and
finally death here and now. Not to mention the penalty of knowingly SINNING
spiritually -- the second death -- a death for all eternity, from which
there is no resurrection.
The laws of God cannot be broken with impunity! Man's sins always
boomerang!
How
Not To Commit Suicide
Uncontrolled,
runaway emotions such as ANGER, MALICE, FEAR, DEPRESSION and GUILT erode the
health of every human being. So do drunkenness, gluttony, the use of drugs,
tobacco, excessive amounts of stimulants, too many sweets and processed
starchy foods, sexual excesses or any other form of dissipation.
This is an age of increased knowledge. Yet how little understanding
there is. In recent years a veritable avalanche of material has been
published showing a very close connection between our health and the way we
think. The mind (Greek: "psyche") definitely affects the body (Greek:
"soma") and its proper functioning. That's why we call so many malfunctions
of the human body PSYCHOSOMATIC -- mind-body relationships.
Notice how ANGER and WORRY adversely affect the body.
"Many things," said "Reader's Digest", British edition, December, 1962,
"can upset the chain of normal digestive activity. Nervous tension and anger
are prime offenders .... When a person is angry or worried the normally pink
{colon} becomes beet-red and goes into a spasm. This slows or halts normal
bowel activity and allows the lower intestine to absorb too much fluid from
wastes passing through it. CONSTIPATION MAY RESULT. Today, doctors tend to
believe that WORRY is the chief cause of constipation. Further they believe
that excessive worry about elimination itself can be the principal culprit.
Observes one doctor: 'It is not the colon which needs treatment but the man
who surrounds it'."
Undoubtedly true in part. Uncontrolled emotions -- such as anger, fear,
guilt and worry -- do affect body functioning, the heart, lungs, liver,
intestines, stomach -- including the endocrine glands. That's why it is
vitally important to control one's THINKING and EMOTIONS.
Countless millions have aged prematurely because of living under a
cloud of fear, worry, doubt or guilt. There are numerous instances in which
a person has been frightened so badly that his hair turned completely white
almost overnight.
Emotional Shock Can Cause Death
EXCESSIVE or PROLONGED fear, worry, hatred or guilt always have a
destructive effect upon the human BODY. The MIND and NERVOUS SYSTEM suffer
also.
Have you ever wondered what happens in the brain, as recorded on an
electro-encephalograph, when a person flies into a RAGE or becomes petrified
with FEAR? You would be shocked to see the results!
No normal mind or nervous system can stand up under an indefinite
number of RAGES, or other severe emotional outbursts! The famous American
surgeon, Dr. George W. Crile, said: "We fear NOT ONLY IN OUR MINDS BUT IN
OUR HEARTS, BRAINS and VISCERA, that whatever the cause of fear and worry,
the effect can always be noted in the CELLS, TISSUES and ORGANS OF THE BODY"
("The Power of Positive Thinking", Peale, p. 144).
And according to Dr. Stanley Cobb, neurologist, WORRY is closely
connected with the symptoms of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. "A doctor recently
stated that there is AN EPIDEMIC OF FEAR AND WORRY in this country. 'All
doctors,' he declared, 'are having cases of illness which are brought on
directly by FEAR, and aggravated by WORRY and a feeling of insecurity'"
(ibid. p. 144).
-------------------
PHOTO CAPTION: Utter lack of emotional control, a real-life scene taken from
the technicolor film "Mondo Cane".
-------------------
A New York physician wrote, "SIXTY PER CENT of the people in this town
are sick because they are MAL-ADJUSTED IN THEIR MINDS and in their souls. It
is hard to realize that the modern soul is sick to such an extent that THE
PHYSICAL ORGANS PAIN" (ibid., p. 176).
These doctors aren't joking!
During the prophesied, soon-coming Great Tribulation, men will be so
petrified with fear that their very bowels will pain them. Speaking of this
Tribulation period, God asks, "Wherefore do I see EVERY MAN WITH HIS HANDS
ON HIS LOINS, as a woman in travail, and ALL FACES ARE TURNED INTO
PALENESS?" (Jer. 30:6.)
Luke also mentions a soon-coming terrible time of fear, So great that
it causes fainting and heart attacks. "And there shall be signs in the sun,
and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them
for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth:
for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:25, 26).
God means what He says. He made the human mind and body!
According to Dr. Franklin Ebaugh (of the University of Colorado Medical
School) ONE THIRD of all cases of illness in our general hospitals are
purely ORGANIC in nature and onset. Another third are caused by A
COMBINATION OF EMOTIONAL AND ORGANIC FACTORS and ONE THIRD are definitely
EMOTIONAL in origin.
Yet with all this knowledge, why are so few living the way of joy,
peace, happiness? Simply because they are unwilling to pay the price -- to
take the effort to rule their emotions and control their minds!
"'We have discovered the psychosomatic cause {physical illness induced
by misguided emotions} of HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE as some form of subtle,
repressed fear -- a fear of things that might happen, not of things that
are,' says Dr. Rebecca Beard which we found uses up more energy than any
other emotion, thereby exhausting the insulin which is manufactured by the
pancreas cells until they are worn out'" ("The Power of Positive Thinking",
pp. 177, 178).
-------------------
PHOTO CAPTION: Anger, malice, brawling -- no wonder today's youth aren't
happy! When will we learn this is not the way to peace of mind? This ugly
real-life scene was witnessed by millions who saw the film "Mondo Cane".
-------------------
Anger
and Blood Pressure
A San Francisco physician, Dr. Charles Miner Cooper, in an article,
"Heart to Heart Advice About Heart Trouble," says, "You must curb your
emotional reactions. When I tell you that I have known a patient's blood
pressure to jump sixty points almost instantaneously in response to an
outburst of anger, you can understand what strain such reactions can throw
upon the heart."
Anyone who is "quick on the trigger," wrote Dr. Cooper, is apt to blame
someone else, impulsively, for a mistake or fault. It would be much wiser
simply to avoid being upset by what is already done.
The eminent Scottish surgeon, Dr. John Hunter, once had a serious heart
condition himself. He also had a thorough understanding of the adverse
effect of strong emotion on his heart condition. His life, he said, was
literally at the mercy of anyone who could annoy him. HIS DEATH, in fact,
FOLLOWED A HEART ATTACK CAUSED BY A FIT OF ANGER when he forgot to
discipline his emotions!
Many suffer poor health because of poor diet! Countless others suffer
-- not because of what they eat -- but from what eats away at them -- their
emotions!
Physical Diseases Caused by Uncontrolled Emotions
Remember, when you are angry, adrenalin shoots through the body. You're
then ready for action. A person cannot continue to live under strong
emotional strains for long without suffering dire physical, emotional or
mental consequences from these body chemicals. In some respects, the human
body is like a machine. A machine may be "revved up" to its full speed at
times with little or no damage. But if this is done frequently or continued
very long, undue wear and ultimate engine failure inevitably result!
Listen to this testimony:
"In my own practice," says Dr. Kurt S. Wachtel, "I have found that many
organic symptoms and disease entities are also often caused by the mind"
("Your Mind Can Make You Sick or Well", Dr. Wachtel, p. 11). He then lists,
among others, the following: ulcers, jaundice, gall-bladder disease and
liver damage, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and colic, thyroid disease,
obesity, leanness, palpitation, hypertension, coronary disease, cerebral
hemmorrhage, stroke, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, asthma, bronchitis,
sinusitis and frequent colds.
Notice how many diseases are now believed to be either partially or
wholly caused by the uncontrolled emotions of an undisciplined mind. THIS
DOES NOT MEAN THAT ALL SUCH DISEASES ARE ALWAYS CAUSED BY WRONG EMOTIONS.
Many diseases can have a variety of causes.
In her book, "Mind and Body", Dr. H. Flanders Dunbar mentions such
diseases as allergies, tuberculosis, hysterical blindness, high blood
pressure, migraine, colitis, diabetes, hay fever, and numerous others. She
feels all of these ailments are either of psychosomatic origin or are
closely associated with "mental and emotional disturbances."
Add to this list goitre, constipation, epilepsy, painful menstruation,
impotence, frigidity, hives and false pregnancy.
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and cancer are also believed by
Dr. Winter to be, in part, of psychosomatic origin ("Are Your Troubles
Psychosomatic?" Winter, p. 17).
Nobody knows for sure the full extent to which the mind affects the
body. There can be no question, however, that runaway emotions can and do
drastically affect the functioning of the human body. They certainly impair
its normal functions, bringing on physical deterioration, disease, suffering
and all too often premature death!
Man has only recently come to realize the true significance of this
psychosomatic (mind-body) relationship. Though it has been revealed in the
Bible all these centuries.
If man had believed God, he could have known this truth thousands of
years sooner.
For the past three thousand years, God's written Word has faithfully
and consistently proclaimed to man that the way of sin, of disobedience, of
rebellion against God's laws, will always produce suffering and untimely
death. Man has been reluctant -- if not totally unwilling -- to heed God's
warning! And he has reaped a mountain of sin, woe, disease, mental anguish
and death!
Solomon Understood Psychosomatics
King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, definitely knew of this
psychosomatic (mind-body) relationship. He was inspired by the Holy Spirit
to mention psychosomatic relationships throughout the Book of Proverbs.
Notice a few of these examples often overlooked even by doctors:
A hardened, merciless man does detriment to his own health, his own
flesh, when he maintains his hardhearted, cruel attitude toward his fellow
human beings. "The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is
cruel troubles his own flesh" (Prov. 11:17; see also Prov. 12:10).
It is better to have very few material possessions where there is
peace, love and harmony, than to have a mansion, limousines, a huge bank
account -- with strife, bickering and hatred in the family! "All the days of
the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual
feast. Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and
trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled
ox and hatred therewith" (Prov. 15:15-17). "Better is a dry morsel, and
quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife" (Prov.
17:1).
Notice Proverbs 14:30: "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but
envy the rottenness of the bones." Envy is one of those human emotions which
has a bad effect on the body.
"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to
the bones" (Prov. 16:24). "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they
go down into the innermost parts of the belly" (Prov. 18:8). Have we not all
experienced some gossipy, cutting remark which a careless tongue had uttered
in regard to ourselves? Don't such verbal wounds make your stomach churn and
knot up?
Notice how the fifth commandment contains a promise of longevity.
"Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee;
that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the
land which the Lord thy God giveth
thee" (Deut. 5:16, Eph. 6:1).
"He that is slow to anger [controls his temper] is better than the
mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that takes a city" (Prov.
16:32).
Many (if not all) of the great conquerors of history were men who,
though they conquered nations and ruled vast empires, yet were unable to
govern their emotions. Alexander the Great was given over to temper
tantrums, had fits, thrust his best friend through with a spear. He died in
a drunken debauch at the age of 33 after a period of prolonged dissipation
at Babylon. He had conquered the whole civilized world, but could not
conquer himself!
And remember that emotions of themselves are not evil! God created
them. He does not want us to squelch them, but rather learn to control them!
God Himself has emotions! He hates sin, but He loves every sinner (John
3:16).
The right kind of anger, fear and other emotions play a vital part in
our lives when properly controlled! As an example, when your house catches
fire, fear motivates you to save yourself, others or your physical property
by fleeing or by putting out the fire.
How to
Control Emotions
How, then, can man ever learn to control or master his emotions instead
of letting them master him? He can't do this of himself! Man can never learn
to control his emotions without help from God. "O, Lord, I know that the way
of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps"
(Jer. 10:23). Man can learn to control his emotions only when he learns to
obey God and let His love be "shed abroad" in his heart by the Holy Spirit
(Rom. 5:5). But before one can receive God's Spirit, he must (1) repent of
breaking the laws of God, accept Christ as his personal Savior and (2) he
must be baptized (Acts 2:38). God's laws must be written in man's mind and
heart before he can keep them! (Heb. 8:10, Deut. 5:29.)
God's Word points out to man the only true way to real peace of mind,
health and happiness! "Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing
shall offend them" (Psa. 119:165).
Learn to love and obey God's law. Then you can have "perfect peace" of
mind. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee ..."
(Isa. 26:3). Once man begins to keep the laws and commandments of Almighty
God, then and only then will he have peace of mind, health, happiness and
the promise of eternal life.
"My son, forget not my law, but let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee" (Prov.
3:1-2). Notice that if one keeps God's law, long life and peace will
naturally ensue.
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It
shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones" (vs. 7, 8). Truly,
the keeping of God's commandments will produce radiant health!
When a man develops a wholesome, clean fear of the Lord and quits
transgressing God's laws (I John 3:4), then, and only then, will he have
real health.
"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let
them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For
they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh"
(Prov. 4:20-22).
Unfortunately, today, many professing Christians believe God is a
harsh, stern taskmaster. His law is looked upon as being hostile to man and
against man's best interests. Nothing could be farther from the truth! God's
law is the way of love and good health.
God's
Love Defined
Countless millions woefully misunderstand the true meaning of love.
Love is often looked upon as a fluffy, sentimental feeling. But God's love
is not an ethereal, nebulous nothingness. It is the most dynamic force in
the whole Universe!
"God is love" (I John 4:8). "For THIS is the love of God, that we KEEP
HIS COMMANDMENTS: and HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT GRIEVOUS (I John 5:3). Why
can't people believe God's Word?
Emotional Control -- Result of Divine Love
He who is filled with the love of God will not have fear, because
"Perfect love casteth out fear" (I John 4:18). He will not have hatred
toward anyone, because he will obey Christ's command: "Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44). He will not be
weighed down with feelings of guilt. He knows he has repented and God has
forgiven him of all his sins (I John 1:9).
One who is really filled with the true love of God will not hate anyone
(I John 3:15). Will not fear anyone or anything (including even death), "For
He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). (Also
note God's promises found in the 23rd Psalm.)
Such a person will not worry about the future. He will have serene
faith in God's promise: "My God shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19). (See also Matt. 6:33.) He
will not be frustrated, or plagued with the emotional upsets which beset the
average person, leading to sickness and early death. Only through the
indwelling presence of God's love -- His Spirit -- can man ever learn to
control such emotions as hate, worry and guilt.
Today, millions are slowly committing suicide by harboring wrong
emotions! Countless millions are sick -- mentally and physically! How can
man ever acquire a sound mind and body?
"The end of the matter, all having been heard: "Fear God and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole man" (Eccl. 12:13, Jewish trans.). If
one will keep all of God's commands, he will become a balanced, whole, sound
individual -- both in mind and in body!
Yes, Jesus Christ knew what He was talking about, and He literally
meant what He said when He solemnly declared, "I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Only
through heeding the Word of God, keeping His commandments and living by His
laws, can mankind ever attain to real health, happiness, peace of mind and
eternal life! This is how mankind can stop committing suicide!!!
