Power of the Mind

I went to the dentist this week. I have what some would refer to as an “irrational fear” of the dentist.  I know its origin.

In high school I had a lot of dental work done.  My dentist told me I had teeth that incurred decay easily.  Like so many other things in life, dentistry has improved techniques and procedures over the last 45 years.  The Novocain used then wasn’t as effective in eliminating pain.  Consequently, a lot of my dental work was painful.  There were even times when I went in and we didn’t bother with Novocain because it wouldn’t work that well on me and it was only a “minor procedure”.

What I knew was that if you had to go to the dentist, this was the drill (Pun intended).  My dentist was a nice man, a big high school football fan, who even came to some of my games.  In spite of the pain, I didn’t mind going to the dentist.

As I have gotten older, techniques and drugs have improved the experience at the dentist.  I haven’t felt pain during a dental appointment in 30 years.  But as soon as I hear the sound of drills grinding on teeth I feel my whole body tense up anticipating that it is coming.  I have to continually remind myself to relax or my grip on the arms of the chair or I will do permanent damage.  I feel all the tension leave my body and realize how tense I have been, only to have to remind myself again a few minutes later. 

              

The mind is a powerful thing.  We are wired to avoid pain and can rid our conscience selves it, but places, buildings, foods, circumstances, or other people trigger painful memories. 

“…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  (Romans 12:2)  What is recorded in our minds becomes an unconscious response to people, situations and circumstances.  The things we read, or watch, or participate in, have a huge hand in determining our lives.  I am reminded of the old computer phrase, “garbage in, garbage out”. 

If we put God’s word in our minds, it becomes a part of our hearts.  Our subconscious is filled with God’s perspective, attitude, and values .  We see and experience life the same way Christ does.

Maybe that’s what I’ll think about the next time I hear the dentist drill!