The last time I went to a chiropractor, he told me that I needed to have an adjustment done multiple times over the course of several weeks. This, he said, was to train, or retrain, my muscles and bones to stay in a particular position rather than to keep shifting and getting me off course and my body out of alignment. I chose to go a few times, but did not complete what he had hoped I would continue to do due to the cost and my loss of time.

Our skeletal system – mainly the neck and spine – can easily slip out of position, or pinch a nerve. When this happens, it affects the rest of our body. Mentally, our minds become focused on the constant pain, which causes our thinking to be about nothing else. Physically, we respond to the pain by limiting what we do because to move in a certain way hurts too much. These issues lead to a decreased quality of living, a decreased output and less focus on others’ lives. So we find a way, or a person, to relieve us of our tension, our problems, with the hopes that they can put us back together. Enter the chiropractor.

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:7-8

Every day that we wake up, there are issues – whether they be ours, our children’s or our spouse’s – that if we let them drag on, or don’t address them directly, they WILL bring us down, affecting our health physically, mentally and spiritually. Your issues may be quite different than mine, but all in all, we must take the time to address them by seeking help thus changing the outcome.

For me, my prayer life is continually in need of adjusting and realigning. My enemy has discovered this is where he can hurt me, so his pursuit of weakening my spiritual spine is neverending; in fact, it is a daily battle. Am I saying I don’t pray daily? No, but what I am saying is that for me, if I don’t wake up early and get in my time with the Lord first thing, then everything else ironically becomes a priority, and the Lord gets pushed to the wayside. OR, I become overwhelmed with how many people are in need of prayer, especially after being on social media, that I ‘just can’t’ take on such a heavy burden, so I don’t. OR, my enemy uses the ‘You don’t want to get emotional AGAIN’ thought, so that I don’t put my whole heart on the line. He has even gone so far as to plant seeds of doubt, that if I let them grow, would be a strangling vine!

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3

Prayer, which is communion with the Lord, is the most important portion of our health – spiritual and mental – which directly supports our walk and relationship with the Lord. That is why I am regularly needing an adjustment from God Himself! The beauty of God is this: He already knows where and what our weaknesses are, yet He wants us to admit them and ask Him for help in correcting these dysfunctional areas of our life. Only then will He get to work. Our job is allow Him to examine us, to yield to His plan, willingly let Him put pressure on those spots that need correction, to relax and be at peace in faith as He moves within us, and to trust in His care.

“On reaching the place, he (Jesus) said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
Luke 22:40

What areas of your life need an adjustment? Is it your thoughts? How about your choice of TV shows? Is it your tithing or prayer time? Is there someone that needs to be forgiven but you ‘just can’t’ do it?
Go to the Great Physician himself. Do not go to something or someone else! They are just a cheap imitation, without the degree of Creator/God Almighty, and cannot get the job done properly. Go to the Lord Jesus. Tell Him your heart and hurts. Then let Him do his job within you and and make that adjustment. When He is done, which may take a long while, your entire self will thank you, as will those that you bless as a result.

Consider bowling pins: their job is stand still, being placed in perfect alignment with their fellow comrade pins, waiting for a ball to knock them over. If each pin does not get placed back in their exact proper spot, the mechanic gets involved and repairs the pin elevator. This is what God does for us: He is our Heavenly Holy Mechanic, the One who adjusts, resets, and realigns those who serve Him.

Speaking of a mechanic, he is the one who also fixes our cars if they seem to be drifting to one side, or the steering wheel vibrates. That occurs when the tires are out of alignment. A mechanic will assess the problem, then correct it so that our tires won’t get worn down so quickly and become a hazard when we are driving.

Mechanics and chiropractors are just two examples of modern images that show what Jesus Christ does for us. So the next time you need any adjustment, physical or spiritual, talk to the Lord first. Submit to His plan, trust His way of correction, and know that He already paid the costly price for your adjustments.

“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.”
Psalm 30:2

Food for thought: Prayer – Lord, change me from the inside out. Align my will to Yours. Amen.

Fun facts: Bowling pins last on average about 1 year. They are just under 4 pounds, and require about 40 pounds of weight to knock one over. They are typically made of hard Maple wood and coated in nylon. The first US bowling lane was in NYC in 1840!

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Bowling pins in perfect alignment