God's Health Plan
God wants us to take care of His temple.
Dan
1/7/20246 min read
The Lord helps us in many ways. Perhaps the most famous examples involve healing. Everyone has heard Bible stories where Jesus or his Apostles cured sickness, blindness or drove out demons. But the bible provides us with ways to improve our health as well. Today’s article will discuss ways God instructs us on how to stay healthy.
Why deal with sickness at all if you can prevent getting sick in the first place? These steps are common sense and I have heard them all my life. Doctors promote these ideas also. I wish I had listened to them as I would have less problems now. Let’s discuss!
Get More Rest
According to an article published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, about 1/3 of Americans do not get enough sleep. They also mention that 7 out of the 15 leading causes of death are linked to not getting enough rest. Sleep deprivation not only affects us physically, but also mentally. It is just harder to focus and stay productive. The article (Which I highly recommend) is found here.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5627640/
The bible contains information about rest. In the Old Testament, it starts in the Genesis creation story. God Himself rested on the 7th day. But he intended for us to rest as well. He said come to me all of you that work and I will give you rest. He may have built us to be busy and work, but rest is key to staying healthy. Without health, work become difficult,
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-11-28_11-30/
Another sample is Psalms 127:2. Especially here in America, we tend to wake up early and stay up late. (Yes, I am guilty of this myself). He says that He gives “his beloved sleep.” Our bodies need rest to stay healthy. Doctors tell us we need rest. We should follow this advice.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-127-2/
So is sleep deprecation a sin? The answer is no, but it can lead to sin. We have already covered the fact that it can damage God’s temple (your body). It can also lead to laziness (or sloth). It may take the form of taking a nap when you should be working. It could be giving into daydreaming when you should be concentrating on an issue. When a lack of sleep leads you to do these things, it is a sin.
Drink Water
Write your text hOur bodies are made up of anywhere from 45% to 75% water depending on what source you reference. But even if we take the low end of that range, it is a big part of who we are. The benefits of water are well known. It helps with keeping your skin healthy and aids in digestion. It prevents constipation and it can assist you with losing weight. Our lives and health depend on it.
Water is not the only way to hydrate. All drinks have some level of water in them. Even food contains some water! I just caution you on your drink of choice. Some drinks contain caffeine which can provide you with a boost in energy. Too much though may lead to jitters or disrupt sleep. Sugary drinks like juice or soda provide hydration and a bit of energy, but may lead to diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Water is a safe choice and is readily available.
The bible does not specifically mention drinking water as a means of hydration. The bible is full of passages that talk about water though. There are passages about using water as a means of washing away sin and purifying us. I believe this imagery is used on purpose. When we drink water, it purifies us by helping to flush our bodies of wastes and toxins. The physical and spiritual uses are identical which reinforces just how important water is to us.ere...
Stress Management
Write your text here...Stress takes a toll on every aspect of our lives. It can manifest itself physically as higher blood pressure and it tends to wear us out. Mentally, it can cause anxiety and anger. Spiritually, it can cause us to lose faith. We need to find ways to reduce stress to stay healthy.
We have all heard about the healing power of laughter. Medical institutions such as Mayo Clinic have found that laughter can reduce stress. The article below lists some of the benefits such as improving your mood and immune system along with reducing pain. It even suggests ways to improve your own humor. Check it out here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456
But laughter is not the only remedy. Just getting outside can help. Fresh air has always made me feel better. Sunshine provides us with Vitamin D. Nature’s beauty can even inspire you. Take some time out of your day to visit with your neighbors outside. Take the dog for a walk and get some exercise. If you have children, take them to the park. Just get out and enjoy God’s creation.
The bible mentions stress in many passages. In Psalms 55:22, God says to turn your troubles over to him and he will take care of you. We do not walk through life by ourselves. God listens to us. When we need strength, he sends the Holy Spirit to help you. When you feel overwhelmed, pray to Him.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-55-22/
Another example is Matthew chapter 6. This chapter talks about the various ways God takes care of you. I will refer this time to the NIV version of the bible as it is easier to read this translation. It gives examples such as the fact that worrying about your life will not add a single hour to it. But the overall message is the same that we got in Psalms. If we seek God, he will take care of us.
Eat Healthier
Write your text here...God not only created the Earth, but He created the plants and animals. Genesis 1:29 reads as, “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-9-3/
The food God created was designed for us. Unfortunately, the food we manufacture is not. To stay healthier, we should try to eat natural foods. Being a diabetic, I can confirm that processed foods can lead to health issues. I loved sweets and indulged myself with breads and pastas. I am now paying the price for those decisions.
After Illness Occurs
There is more to being healthy than just preventing disease. Health issues can spring up seemingly out of nowhere. Remember than our sins can be related. For example, fornication can lead to STD’s. Smoking and recreational drug use can lead to lung cancer. Excessive drinking can lead to liver disease.
My first suggestion would be to turn to God. Repent for your sins even if they are not related. If you sincerely repent and cleanse yourself of sin, then that is one less worry for you. Less stress leads to better outcomes.
My next suggestion is to seek medical or mental health care. Never forget to ask for help from professionals. You can not do everything on your own. Seeking the help of others is not weakness. Reading online articles is also helpful, but is not a replacement for health care professionals.
Finally, get a yearly checkup. I have dodged a few of these over the years, but it is not a good idea. Those checkups can spot problems early and early detection is important for some diseases like cancer. You have been warned.
Parting Words
Write your text here...This article is very top heavy for a reason. It is not all that difficult to live a simple, healthy and God centered life. It is our guide. God created us so he knows us better than anyone else. Heed his wisdom.