Strengthening the Host vs. Attacking the Guest
I was reading about the Root Cause Protocol, a holistic health lifestyle solution, when this sentence in the handbook struck me: “The [Root Cause Protocol] favors ‘strengthening the host,’ as opposed to ‘attacking the guest’ in regard to pathogens and toxins of all kinds. A body in optimal health is better able to withstand invaders….” I thought about how all the education I’ve pursued, everything I’ve learned about holistic health and well-being over the last decade, has been about strengthening the host rather than attacking the guest.
Attacking the Guest Only Goes So Far
Anyone who’s done a 12-step program knows that Step 1 is to admit we are powerless over [alcohol, unintentional sin, or insert anything else here that seems to be outside of our self-control and willpower]. It is in admitting our powerlessness, surrendering to God what we cannot control, and committing to do our best at what we can control, that we can finally step into our true power. So often, we go in wondering how we can attack the guest (control the other person or the problem) when really we need to focus on ourselves (the host) so that we can be happy and whole regardless of what anyone else is doing or what circumstances life throws at us.
A Few Examples
There are times when “attacking the guest” is important and necessary; however, this should be a last resort and relatively rare. Here are some examples of what I mean by “strengthening the host” vs. “attacking the guest”:
Healthy diet, exercise, and whole food supplements vs. chemotherapy
Daily prayer and meditation on God’s Word vs. casting out demons
Mindful portions and wholesome, nutrient-dense food vs. tummy tuck
Daily moisturizing and occasional facials vs. a facelift
Regular chiropractor and massage therapist visits vs. shoulder/back surgery
Loving relationships, daily sunlight, and playing with a dog vs. antidepressants
Going outside at sunrise and sunset, avoiding screens before bed, and keeping a consistent wake-sleep rhythm vs. taking sleeping pills
Healing from trauma and learning healthy communication skills and boundaries vs. cutting off contact with family
While in therapy, someone may need to cut or limit contact with certain people or environments for a time (“attacking the guest”), especially while they go through some of the most deep and painful parts of healing. In extreme cases, people may need to indefinitely sever contact with those they were once close to, because those people are abusive or dangerous. They may need to move to another town because the memories in their old town trigger too much pain. However, in most cases, the goal is eventual reconciliation. The goal is for them to become strong enough that no matter where they are or who they’re around, they can still be fine and safe within themselves.
When someone has a compromised immune system, for a while they may completely avoid certain types of food. They may avoid traveling because of the extra stress it can place on their body. But the goal is for them to build up a strong enough immune system and nervous system that they can have an occasional piece of cake or glass of wine without it sending their body into a tailspin. They can travel to that country they’ve always wanted to visit or stay up all night on New Year’s Eve without being laid out by illness or fatigue for days.
Application Time
What about you? Is there an area of your life where you’re sensing that you need to “strengthen the host” rather than “attack the guest”? Are there some habits or routines that you’d like to build so you’re not playing catch-up later? Similarly, are there any areas of your life where you’ve been trying to strengthen the host, and it’s not working, and perhaps you need to consider attacking the guest?
