The Bible and Science – Hypoventilation

Hypoventilation can be a serious organic problem in some people, it however is NOT respiratory arrest, when you stop breathing.  Hypoventilation is when you are not breathing enough, and it causes an increase in carbon dioxide levels in your blood.  Very simply put your gas exchange is out of balance.

There can be several causes:

  1. A medical condition, injury, or illness that impairs the nervous system.
  2. Drugs, both recreational and prescribed.
  3. Voluntary holding your breath.

So, with respect to the people who have an organic problem, I will still attempt to show spiritual hypoventilation.  In spiritual hypoventilation you may have had your nervous system compromised.  You could have been betrayed and hurt so you withhold what Jesus has called you to give to the world.  I will compare “drugs” to wrong teaching or your misunderstanding the finished work of Jesus on the cross.  If you have trained yourself to not “give out”, please stop and at least go voluntary somewhere so your light may shine for Jesus.

To compare Hypoventilation and Hyperventilation both center around carbon dioxide.  It is something that we need to give back to the world.  In a spiritual context both of these are correctable, but you will need to examine your actions.

Thought for the Day

Take in more of the Holy Spirit, and then give it out again.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoventilation

The Bible and Science – Hyperventilation

Acts 8:5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ. (See Acts 6:5) NIV

Hyperventilation is when you are breathing in more than you are exhaling, throwing your blood gases out of balance.  This can be serious, but in non-chronic cases it is treatable.  The problem here is that you have more oxygen than carbon dioxide.  Yes, you need oxygen to live.  Yes, carbon dioxide is a “waste product” and too much is a problem.  But you are designed to have a balance – the “in” has to be in harmony with the “out.”

If I may view this in a spiritual sense.  Oxygen is the Holy Spirit.  Carbon dioxide is what we give back to the world (it is needed for plants to grow).  If Christians are only taking in the things of God, and never giving back what we receive to the world it is a problem.

You are depriving the world of something it needs, but the bigger problem is it will make you sick!  Webmd.com list some of the physical problems as being lightheaded (faint), heartbeat with be incorrect, short of breath, and numbness.  Personally, I do not want the spiritual counterparts of any of those.

Our remedy for this is found in Matthew 10:8 – Jesus tells us here to give freely because it was freely given to you.  And a bonus about giving (yourself, your knowledge and love of Jesus, time, money, etc.) is in Proverbs 11:24; the more you give, you will receive more back.

Staying healthy spiritual and not hyperventilating requires a balance between getting and giving.  Philip is an example of this, he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit and he went to Samaria and gave.

∞ Jesus, thanks for being our example in “giving.”  Help us to not hyperventilate so we can give out what you have given us. Amen.

Thought for the Day

To be a healthy Christian give the things you have been given.

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/tc/hyperventilation-topic-overview#1