Transcription
[intro music]
Debi Pearl: Papa and I are going to record, so y’all go ahead and shut the door. [door slams]
Child 1: Let’s go sit on the front porch and read a book.
Child 2: Oh, but we won’t have fun without you.
Announcer: You’re listening to No Greater Joy’s Vintage Answers from the mailbag, dug from the depth of our archives. This week Mike and Debi answer a question that many of us have struggled with at one time or another.
Debi: OK. This letter is about the book’s fault too. “Dear brother and sister Pearl, I’m writing first of all to say how thankful I am for your books and also for your newsletter. I’ve been praying for God’s guidance in getting my children, ages six, four, and eight months, under control and I was so pleased when I read your book. It has changed my life, not to mention the lives of my children. I’m struggling to put the principles in your book into practice, but those I have been using have been successful. I do have a question. In the June/July 1998 newsletter, there’s an article entitled,” It’s the book’s fault.” You talked about diet and sleep patterns of many mothers causing chronic fatigue. I know this is a real problem for me. I’d like to know your thoughts on how to successfully battle this.
I suppose you get many, many letters requesting information like this, so I will understand if you can’t reply personally. I would greatly benefit from any information you have to offer.”
This goes right back to the woman I just talked to. A lot of times chronic fatigue is just a build‑up of the glands in the neck where you’re not using them. It’s the only part of the body system that doesn’t have it’s own flushing system.
The heart beats and flushes the blood. The oxygen is forced in and forced out. But the gland system needs action, and when you don’t have action you get a sluggish, sickly feeling, often time run a temperature and just feel bad.
Mothers get into the habit where they’re eating junky food and they’re sleeping a lot and they’re laying around. They just get more and more sluggish where they just don’t feel like doing anything. They drag their self from the couch to the kitchen table to the refrigerator to the kitchen table to the couch. The house gets messy and they just feel like they’ve developed a disease. The disease they’ve developed is not chronic fatigue. It’s just the body’s being full of poisons from the lack of doing anything.
You get that same woman up and start working and moving and those glands start…the muscles start squeezing those glands, the poison starts flowing through. Change your diet, get off so much sugar and that woman will feel fine. That chronic fatigue is brought on, a lot of women bring it on.
Many women have it. I would say probably 85 percent of the women that stay at home have this same complaint. We get so many letters you wouldn’t believe it. That many women couldn’t be sick. It’s got to be from developing a pattern of not getting up and getting working.
In our community, of course, the women have to get up because they have a whole lot of children. They’ve got to move on a regular basis because they’ve got to build a fire to cook a meal and haul the water and wash the clothes by hand and go out into the garden and get the food.
In our day, in society, we’ve developed a society where a woman has to flip a switch to turn the light on and then stick something in the microwave to get breakfast ready and then put the dishes on the table and put the children there in front to let them eat some cereal and store bought milk. They don’t have to go out to the cow to milk the cow. Then they put the dishes into the dishwasher and in 20 minutes they have done almost nothing, physically. Yet their children are fed and the dishes are put up.
Those glands never get to function and a woman, she gets to feel like she’s a worthless human being because, basically, she is a worthless human being. She’s not doing anything that’s worth anything. Anybody can do what she’s doing. Basically, all these young women need to get a new thought about themselves and what they’re going to do and how they’re going to do it.
Michael Pearl: I’ve seen ladies, men too, that really did have sickness or disease, something like polio or muscular dystrophy, or had some handicap in their organs of their body, in some way. If you put them into a medical office and tested them, they would truly test sick. These same people, enthusiastic about life, have some purpose for existence, some reason to get up. I see them work with energy that would equal an athlete’s. I see them dragging broken tired bodies, bodies that should be, if you went by the way they scored on medical tests, they should be laid up in a bed somewhere, with people bringing them flowers.
But just by looking at their work, looking at the energy, looking at their output, you would think they were an epitome of health. I’ve seen other women who go to a doctor, and the doctor says, we can’t find anything wrong. They go to another doctor, and another doctor, and finally come up with some exotic term to describe their problems.
Quite often you find these same women are in some kind of mood altering drug, their on Prozac or something else, maybe something to control their emotions. I guarantee that if they had some reason for living, some purpose for existence, something that made life exciting and enthusiastic, their heart would get to pumping, they’d get to breathing in good fresh oxygen, their muscles would get tense, they would get active, they would run about the house from one thing to another.
They would be reading and learning and applying and visiting other people in the ministry. They would feel like they’re in the epitome of health. I would say that the majority of ill health in America is based on attitude. It’s based on just a poor attitude about themselves, about their purpose for existence. Why get out of bed? Why get up? Why do something if it doesn’t have an eternal value.
We’ll find something to engage ourselves in that is exciting and thrilling and helping other people and ministering and moving. Whether it is music, or art, or visiting people in old folks home or creating something or growing herbs or learning about medicine and trying to minister other people, or learning about diet and helping others, or cooking for someone, or visiting people that are truly shut in and laid up… All those things will stir you up, make your heart beat and give you energy that you didn’t know you had.
Debi: This is one of my favorite little things. I would love to be able to take thousands of young women and put in them a desire to minister to other people. They fill their life full of passing out tracts. I’ve known one woman who was known as the little tract lady. She keeps a big bag of tracts and is there at the elementary or high school parking lot in the afternoon to pass out tracts to the small children, tracts that little children can read and understand and have something. Or there are for the high school kids with Chick® tracts, or whatever kind of tract you can get a high school student to read, and you say, what are you going to do with your children? Take your children with you. Let them get a chance to see what it’s like to minister to people. When I was growing up my mom, who’s not a teacher, would have a child evangelism classes almost every week when I was growing up. Because she couldn’t teach, she would struggle through it. By the time I was thirteen years old I had sat through so many classes, that she said, you teach. I started teaching regularly.
When I was thirteen years old, my mom would set the classes up, my mom would have the drinks and the cookies and provide the home. She would set up classes in other people’s home. She would come and pick me up at school and take me to the classes. She did everything that she could do, and then she turned me over to be the teacher. She looked for something to do, to minister other people.
Also I think women should take more charge in keeping the house in good shape. We had a young girl here in missionary training, and she came up. She was the biggest sissy looking person you would ever see, but she was asking to borrow a tool so she could change the oil on her car.
I was just thrilled that she had the initiative to do it. She didn’t look like the type that could, but I know how to change the oil and the spark plugs, and I’ve done it before. I could do it again, not because I would have to, but because it’s a good thing to know, and it’s a good thing to find out how to do all these things, to be a part of life and not just sit around waiting for somebody to give you something to do, but get off and look for something to do. Get your children involved doing it.
Michael: Oh, by the way, Deb you talked about the women here getting up and hauling water and building a fire? We might ought to let them know that we don’t haul water. It runs into the house through a spigot. We do build a fire to stay warm in the winter, but we cook on a gas stove. There are lots of reasons to be enthusiastic. You don’t have to go back and be a pioneer in order to have something to do, but as Deb said, modern life, modern conveniences have created boredom and depression that didn’t exist in former eras.
When life is a struggle to survive, then there’s enthusiasm, because if you’re going to get cold or go hungry unless you apply yourself, then you’re going to have a reason to be doing something, your heart will be beating and life will be exciting. Even if there’s some fear and anxiety, it’s exciting. There’s not that depression that requires drugs. Inactivity in America is killing the home.
Announcer: Well, that wraps up this week’s Archives. We hope you found it as encouraging as we did. Don’t forget to check out the specials at Cane Creek Corner.
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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 4
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I appreciate this article on the need for excercise and good health. I do disagree though with many of your points. I have a dishwasher, store bought milk, feed my kids simple but healthy breakfasts, and still find myself on my feet and busily moving all day long. I have a 5, 4, 2, 1 year old and am 33 weeks pregnant. With all the modern conveniences I still do not sit down for more than a moment at a time all day long. Keeping an orderly house, training and playing with children, bathing, changing diapers, cooking meals, and just doing the everyday necessaries of life takes up more than a full day. I think that the statistic of 85% of mothers having this disease is exaggerated because many of us are tired because we do have a lot of work to do. I appreciate where you’re coming from because I’m sure there are some mothers out there who simply are lazy, but for most of the people who you’re talking to (homeschooling moms with large families) this simply is not the case. Good health and sleep patterns are very important and I really appreciated what Mr. Pearl said about attitude. Enjoying your work and seeing the great value in it helps tremendously!
Thank you, Lindsey!! I believe that statistic is wrong as well (85%), and most all the audience it is speaking about — about laying around or sleeping too long — are completely unfounded. You have a huge responsibility with that many kids and one on the way. I have no doubt you stay busy all day. I appreciate your input and “second” your response!! :o)
That was fabulous. Thank you!! 🙂
I was quite appauled by this story about chronic fatigue syndrome. It is in fact a very real disease, and the remarks you made about its cause 3e wrong–very wrong! It’s clear that the one who wrote this is not a true doctor!! I have Fibromyalgia,Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Sydrome, and other illnesses and am trying to homeschool my second year. There would not be several books written on chronic fatigue if it wasn’t a very real condition. Clearly the author of this clip hasn’t met anyone or known anyone with this disease. I am a true Believer in Christ, and you all are doing a disgrace to those homeschool moms who read this and feel so let down or ashamed of their symptoms. This is my first reading on your website, and I am not impressed. While those of us who have to pray our way to have energy to simply unload and reload the dishwasher–or any other seemingly easy task–you people are making it sound like it’s not a real disease.
Most disease we bring on ourselves by our moods, foods and lack of exercise; except of course the ones that come from getting old, having an accident or touching contaminated surfaces. People who run say they do so because it makes them feel better. Changing our way of eating or simply eating less also has a wonderful healing affect. Getting involved in helping others causes God’s blessings to flow both ways.
Therefore the wisest and first choice of healing should be the most natural.
Change your mood to joyful and thankful. Change your diet to a healthy one that will get your system moving. Change your lifestyle by getting up to exercise. Pour your life out for others. And if you have done ALL, then do ALL again. If you still feel half-dead then assume you have a disease.
Though I see your point and deny good advice, it is apparent that you don’t struggle with major xchronic illnesses. Be glad and garteful to the Lord for this–He has blessed you with good health. I have been diagnosed with the diseases I have mentioned–yes, there are specific tests that are run to test for Rheumatoid Arthritis, degenerative disc disease (MRI’S; I have mutliple bulging and a herniated disc), etc. I also developed Bipolar Disorder when my chemistry changed after gicing birthg to my girls 11 years ago. We have tried everything under the sun, including multiple prayers for healing with church family. Please be aware that the way you’re coming across reminds me of Job’s friends…”If you’d just confess your major sin….if you would only…., surely u have sinned.” You cannot fully understand chronic illnesses until you’ve walked in the shoes of those who have. Unless you’ve experienced non-stop pain every minute of the day for 7 years, please be careful in how you present your information to others.
Corerection: I meant to say “don’t deny your good advice”–not “deny”.
Well, I do live rugged and I still got adrenal fatigue. The fight and the struggle with the cold long winters and the troubles getting the water out of the well, (150 feet deep, solar pump gave up after 16 years- converted to 120 volt house pump, but the increased need of solar power to run it is unbelievable, and I don’t have enough panels yet to cover that) just constant frustrations, the fight with the dry summers (10 inches here is normal) and trying to keep our garden alive (takes a lot of manure/compost and added minerals- otherwise depleted sand here). 16 hour days for so many years has just worn me out.
For others that may have this issue, big helps for me have been http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com, and pay attention to adrenal links- they go out together because they work together. And also, I use progesterone cream (am 50) and that has helped a lot.
Another thing some moms may not be aware of is the common use of fluoride in the water systems of cities over 25,000. Or other sources of fluoride, like many meds including the “antidepressants” which ironically make many depressed. Or the gas coming off teflon cookware, or the insecticides on produce, or sodas or other artificial drinks, even chicken nuggets are full of it. Do research on this starting with googling Cathy’s horses and it will lead you to some scary links and amazing pictures of how the fluoride water in Colorado ruined her champion horses- made them Cushing’s syndrome, thyroid issues and malformed legs, all kinds of weird stuff. Fluoride can cause hypothyroidism too, because it binds where the iodine should and replaces it in the thyroid.
GMO’s (genetically modified foods) are now being foisted upon us without our knowledge or permission and those cause all sorts of bad things, including bowel malfunction, still birth, poor development of offspring- look up GMO rats for the studies, and MSG rats and fructose rats for lots of studies on these things. Cattle and sheep put out on the leftovers from GMO crops have colicked and died. It is also one of the things killing our bees.
I too deal with adrenal fatigue and burnout–brought on the many chronic condition stresses that occur day after day. I’m glad to know that someone agrees that that in and of itself leads to extreme fatigue. Thank you for your response!
Here are 3 of MANY internet sites on the REALITY of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (more correctly termed Chronic Fatigue ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome: CFIDS):
cbsnews.com/2100-500368_162-2152869.html
articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/30/opinion/la-oe-levy-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-20110930
robinsonfamilymedicine.com/blog/?p=278
I hope the women who read the above article–ones who actually have experience true chronic fatigue syndrome (or fibromyalgia–very interrelated) will not feel disheartened that their symptoms are real and cannot be warded off by just doing MORE. Please get help with your problem and be sure to get truly educated about the disease. Not everything you read, even from well-meaning people, is correct. You don’t even have to believe me…just know that other women (and men) have dealt with the very REAL disease of chronic fatigue syndrome, and it’s not to be taken lightly.
I admit I had mixed feelings when I first listened to this audio so I listened again lol… I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I often have days were I just feel like I can hardly move. I live in the Alaskan bush off grid, no running water, electric, etc… Plus animals and I am a homeschooling mother. I also help in the care for an elderly couple that are like family and I have started and am organizing a church library in a nearby village. A phrase from Denise Austin comes to mind “you rest you rust” Usually when I’m dragging if I make myself get moving I start to feel a little better and can push through. Now don’t get me wrong I do have days were I just can’t get moving. It’s usually a result of overdoing on a day when I was feeling good or once a month during a certain time in my cycle. Lack of sleep also does a number on me as I have a hard time winding down at night. From personal experience and from all the research I have done on Fibromyalgia and other similar issues they all suggest a healthy diet and exercise. When you get into issues like degenerative disks and what not it is still best to stay active just within your limits. That’s were it is a good idea to talk to your Dr. about what you should and shouldn’t do. In my personal researching you will usually find links also to attitude and personal relationships and the effect that they can have on your symptoms.
Oh how I needed this. I had surgery 1 month ago and since I have been feeling extremely depressed, irritable and fatigued. I had a panic attack today and knew I needed to look for answers. God is so good leading me here! I was told that I would need to be gentle on my body and not lift for 6 weeks, but I feel as though my body has healed. This is the first article I came to. I thought of where I would go when logging on to the computer and typed in this website and then put “depression” in the search engine. Oh, I feel like I have the answer’s God has been trying to tell me for the past month just layed out so neatly in my lap. Thank you, Mr and Mrs Pearl for all that you and your team do!
God Bless, Beth
Oh I was so glad to see someone bring up the GMO foods. We have a large health food store
that 7 yrs ago claimed our grocery store foods were 70% GMO. Today they say it is 90%.
America we need to fight this stuff for ourselves and future generations. When cattle were offered two choices of food, one was GMO and the other was regular feed. The cattle would walk up to the GMO food, sniff it and walk off to the other food. They can smell it wasn’t right, whereas, humans don’t have that instinct. Water is also a big part of being healthy, we need take a look at what is in our water, and what are we doing about it? We are doing ourselves no favors, with all the chemicals. Folks are surprised I use no chemicals on my quarter acre for weeds, but instead use vinegar and salt, where I don’t plan to grow trees or food. Lastly, did you all know a bag of carrots
today has 50% less nutrients than just 100 yrs ago, because our soils are becoming depleted? God must be sad what we are doing to the planet, he gave us.