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A Funny Story about Healing Stress, Anxiety and Even Chest Pain
Let me tell you a quick story that could help you or a loved one create a better life and find peace of mind.
Norman Vincent Peale, a church pastor and author of The Power of Positive Thinking, tells of man, for the sake of privacy, called “Exhibit A.”
This man was once very difficult to be around according to Normal Vincent Peale. Even though “Exhibit A” had been able to achieve a level of financial success, which was amazing given his nature, this man was so short-tempered and irritable that even his own family avoided him. He had built a successful business but he never seemed happy.
This man soon developed chest pain including shortness of breath and tightness near his heart. He went from doctor to doctor and none could find any physical cause for the chest pain. Doctors said his heart was strong, lungs fine and circulation more than adequate.
Norman Vincent Peale said “Exhibit A” was prescribed a large number of pills for chest pain, more than anyone else he knew. But the pills didn’t seem to rid the chest pain symptoms.
Finally, one of the doctors recommended “Exhibit A” see a specialist in Chicago.
After reviewing his medical file and an examination of the man, the Chicago medical specialist said, “This chest pain is pseudo-pain. It’s not from a physical source. The chest pain is caused by wrong, unhealthy, painful thinking. Change your thinking and start living an enthusiastic life and you will be well. That is my prescription. That will be one thousand five hundred dollars.”
The man screamed, “One thousand five hundred dollars! For what?”
The doctor replied, “For knowing what to tell you. You charge plenty in your business. So do I.”
The doctor, of course, knew in order for “Exhibit A” to follow guidance he would have to pay dearly for it.
So the angry man returned home saying, “Well, I’ll show that jerk. I’ll turn around my thinking and get my fifteen hundred dollars worth if it kills me.”
This was precisely what the doctor had predicted this man would do.
The man went to Norman Vincent Peale to help, to which Peale said to the man, “Okay, how far do you live from here?”
The man answered, “About five miles.”
Norman Vincent Peale replied, “I want you to send your driver and car home for the day. I want you to walk home. And as you do, give God thanks for your mind, your eyes, your heart, your lungs, your arms, your legs and your feet. Thank God you have been told by all the doctors that you have a healthy body. Thank God you had the financial means to go to Chicago. Walk home practicing gratitude, which will give you enthusiasm for life. Give thanks for all you see, smell and experience on your walk home.”
Norman Vincent Peale continued, “Tomorrow, I want you to walk back here in the morning and tell me how you feel.”
The daily walks continued with the man asking the minister to join him. After five days of walking together, Norman Vincent Peale asked, “Why don’t you let God take over and walk with you? Talk to Him as you are talking to me.”
And the man did. He soon became a popular and lovable person because of his new, positive personality which included gratefulness, enthusiasm and pleasurable. He attracted good people and great life circumstances. This story is not meant to be a substitute for sound medical advice. If you have chest pain see a medical doctor right away. With the help of his doctors and his minister, this man’s chest pain did become a thing of the past.
What do you think? Click on the Questions And Comments link and let us know.
Posted by Lori Prokop
Comments
This story was very encouraging. And not only we should eat,healthy foods and exercise, but the way we think and the words that one speaks over his own life is very important because The Word Of God says that "there is life and death in the power of the tongue", (Proverbs 18:21). And The Word Of God also says that the tongue defiles the whole body (James 3:6). So therefore it is very important to talk positive words not only in ones own life but your childrens lives and one another lives.
Posted by: Robin at September 11, 2006 1:08 PM
What good advice. Most of life is nothing but an attitude and how you choose to look at it and decide what is important in each situation will help. A happy heart is a happy brain do not for get to add a smile
Posted by: Linda at May 27, 2006 2:29 PM
I loved your story. It was a wonderful illustration of how we do indeed create our bodies day by day with our thoughts and beliefs.
It was a wonderful example of someone moving back into his power. It illustrated how we can change our priorities and our habits.
Finally , it was a teaching piece in giving effective coaching!
Posted by: Shira at May 23, 2006 9:23 PM
