| Welcome to Health 411. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| God's Path to a Healthy Future; 3 of 3 | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 25 2007, 09:57 AM (225 Views) | |
| Selahgal | Aug 25 2007, 09:57 AM Post #1 |
|
TV Host
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
God's Path to a Healthy Future Part 3 of 3 Health Truth #5 Get Enough Sleep! It’s Vital For Your Emotional, Physical & Spiritual Well-Being Recent surveys conducted by various universities and independent organizations reveal that sleep deprivation is a serious problem in this country. Millions of people are sleeping less than six hours a night. In addition to lack of sleep, many others don’t sleep sound but instead, restlessly toss and turn. According to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation: “…60 percent of adults report having sleep problems a few nights a week or more. In addition, more than 40 percent of adults experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month...” In studies conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, they showed that those who slept for six hours or less a night were later diagnosed with increase of certain chemicals in blood associated with heart disease and diabetes. Every individual needs a certain amount of sleep to rejuvenate and repair their body every night. On the average, an adult requires 8-9 hours. Children require even more. Chronic sleep loss has been linked to weight gain, high blood pressure, lower immunity, emotional disturbances, depression, hallucinations, memory loss, inability to concentrate, irregular heartbeat, body pain, and an overall lack of vibrancy and peace. The scriptures say that a good night of sleep is a blessing from the Lord and something that we all need regularly to remain healthy and at peace. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” (Psalm 4:8 Amplified) “It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil--for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.” (Psalm 127:2 Amplified) Why have so many in our fast paced society lost their ability to sleep? One explanation is our need to make money to pay bills and scrape by. We have become a society that is always on the go, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We rush here and scramble there to try and accomplish everything that needs to be done in a day without ever feeling like we’re caught up. How do we make up the slack? We cut back on sleep and increase our consumption of coffee and stimulants. This is a guaranteed recipe for burn-out and an early trip to the grave if you don’t get it under control. This isn’t the American dream. Back in the 1950’s women didn’t have to work for a family to get by financially. A man could work 8 hours Monday through Friday and have enough money to buy a nice home, own a car, take vacations, have money to send his children to college, and enough left over to save and invest. They also had plenty of time for their children and families. If you’re over-working yourself at the office without ever taking a break for yourself or family, if you’re depriving your family of quality time, if you’re burning yourself out by lack of sleep and stress, perhaps you need to examine your life a little closer. Your physical and emotional well-being will definitely suffer if it hasn’t already. Ask yourself if what you’re doing is worth it in the long run. You may be able to get by for a while living this way, but it will eventually catch up with you. With regard to your spiritual life, there is no possible way to have a deep intimate relationship with the Lord if you’re sleep deprived and always on the go. Rest is so important to the Lord that he even made it one of the commandments to take one day a week and completely shut it down. God knows how important it is for us to rejuvenate our bodies. If you want to live a fulfilled life with abundant health, you must take charge of your life in every area, including the sleep department. Make sure you’re getting adequate amounts every night. If you honor the Lord in all areas of your life and put Him first, He will honor you and take care of you in all the areas of your life that you need help in. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 KJV) Health Truth #6 Stop Worrying and Stressing Out! It Can Ruin Your Health & Rob You of Your Peace A big reason why you may not be sleeping or have peace in your life can be too much worry and stress. The Bible says: “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14 Amplified) If you’re pursuing peace you should be making a conscious effort every day to live with a joyful, positive, enthusiastic attitude and a forgiving spirit. If you pursue peace you will listen to that voice of intuition within you and avoid making wrong decisions and choices when it doesn’t feel right. When you pursue peace it is very difficult for worry and stress to get the upper hand with you because your faith and trust is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Worry is a destructive force that can keep you from fulfilling God’s destiny for your life. All of us encounter negative situations at times that can cause us to worry or stress out. Sometimes it’s for a season and sometimes it can be a daily struggle for years or a lifetime. Just because the situation may be negative and the odds seem against you doesn’t mean we have to respond in a negative, worried, stressed out way. Nobody has been given a promise by the Lord in this world to be free of problematic circumstances and situations. Throughout life we will all face them at one time or another. It’s how we handle them that can make all the difference in the world. You can either worry and stress out or find strength and resolve with the Lord and have a confident trust in him that all things will eventually work out for your ultimate good. If you’re going to live a fulfilled life with robust health according to the promises of God, then getting stress and worry under control is a priority. God’s not going to let you down if you trust Him. “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” (Romans 8:28 Amplified) From a health standpoint, medical research has shown that stress can play a pivotal role in many cardiovascular disorders and can contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lowered immune system function, hormone imbalances/disorders, prolonged healing, sleep disorders, changes in appetite, frequent headaches, gastrointestinal problems, muscle tension, anxiety, and depression. The bottom line is this; you need to get it under control. If you don’t, it may eventually manifest in the form of a serious health crisis. It will definitely rob you of a fulfilled relationship with the Lord and keep you in a negative, unsatisfied frame of mind. Negative people that are worried and stressed out all the time have trouble keeping close friends because no one likes to be around people that are like this for any length of time. There are a variety of ministers that have an awesome ability to help you get your life disciplined and lined up with God’s word so you can overcome stress, anxiety, and worry. Here are a few positive scriptures on worry and stress that will help get you thinking more clearly about dealing with these issues and putting your trust in the Lord. “In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for You will answer me.” (Psalm 86:7 Amplified) “All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].” (Proverbs 15:15 Amplified) “Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:31-34 Amplified) One of the most empowering scriptures you can read for strength and hope is Psalm 34. It’s too long to quote here in its entirety. If you are struggling with worry, stress, and anxiety you should read this Psalm daily: Psalm 34 (Amplified Bible) 1 I WILL bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers. 8 O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him. 9 O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. 10 The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to revere and worshipfully fear the Lord. 12 What man is he who desires life and longs for many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it! 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the [uncompromisingly] righteous and His ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles. 18 The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent. 19 Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall cause the death of the wicked; and they who hate the just and righteous shall be held guilty and shall be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the lives of His servants, and none of those who take refuge and trust in Him shall be condemned or held guilty. Health Truth #7 Laugh As Often As You Can And Live With Joy & Peace! It Can Make A Dramatic Difference In Your Physical & Spiritual Health Satan is after your joy and peace. The last thing he wants is a bunch of joyous; spirit filled Christians full of excitement, optimism, and enthusiasm for life. We are God’s ambassadors with the power through the blood of Jesus Christ to build the kingdom of God on earth. If the devil can steal your joy and get you into a pessimistic, negative frame of mind where you don’t laugh, have a cheerful attitude, and enjoy your everyday life even in bad situations and circumstances, then you’ve allowed an opening for him to attack you. Left unchecked and uncorrected, you will live a life of misery and defeat. Being able to laugh and have an abundance of joy in your life is an extremely important area we all need to focus on daily, especially those of us representing the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. For some it’s easy to be joyous and happy daily regardless of circumstances. For others it may be a difficult struggle. The beauty is the more you are aware of it and the more you work on changing yourself and declaring the word of God over your life through faith, you can reprogram your heart and mind and bring it into submission to God’s perfect will for you. It’s interesting that Proverbs says: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22 KJV) In a recent teaching series by Joyce Meyer that I was blessed to hear, she pointed out some interesting facts on laughter and joy that are well worth reprinting. Here’s what she said: “Did you know that the average man or woman laughs four to eight times a day? The average child laughs about 150 times a day. Laughter is the best medicine because it causes the release of body chemicals called endorphins. These substances help to relieve pain and create a sense of well-being within us. Laughter can raise your energy levels and pull you out of the pit of depression. Laughter releases tension, anxiety, fear, anger, shame and guilt, and can completely change a person’s attitude. Laughter also stimulates all your major organs. Laughter strengthens your immune system, which is your primary defense against all disease. Laughter increases anti-bodies. It is believed to have a protective capacity against viruses, bacteria, and other micro-organisms. You inhale more oxygen when you laugh. Laughter stimulates your heart and blood circulation and is equivalent to any other standard aerobic exercise. Laughter is a wonderful gift from God.” That’s pretty amazing isn’t it? Some things you need to do to break free of a negative, pitiful attitude are to turn off the TV, stop reading the newspaper every day, and stop listening to a lot of worthless talk radio. You have no idea how much negativity, pessimism, and anxiety you allow into your mind and spirit every day through these mediums. The media thrives on sensationalism, hype, and fear. The bad things taking place in our world are reported and given headline attention far more often than the good things because there is a satanic agenda to get our minds corrupted and off base. Since the fall of man we have lived in a world of good and evil. The devil wants to get all of us over into his paranoid world of pessimistic negativity because once he can contaminate your mind and spirit with evil thoughts, doubt, uneasiness, and negativity; he can interfere with your plans and the destiny God has for your life. Fear and negativity breeds more fear and negativity. That’s a fact. Have you ever tried to be positive and full of joy around a bunch of pessimistic, depressed, negative people? It’s hard isn’t it? I’m not trying to be out of balance by making these suggestions. While we do need to be aware of certain things going on in the world, my advice is that you try a full media detox for a few weeks and see how much better you feel. Start praying and reading the Bible every day. Start filling your spirit with joyful music that glorifies the Lord. Do some good things for other people. Let go of past disappointments. There’s nothing you can do to change the past. Forgive people that have wronged you. Stop holding grudges and getting so offended all the time. Get around more positive people filled with zest and excitement for life. Smile at everyone you meet. Laugh as often as you can. It’s very important that you replace the bad things in your life with an abundance of good, happy, positive things. Another recommendation is to make a list of edifying scriptures that you read and profess out loud every day that declare a positive destiny and purpose for your life. You’ll be amazed at the changes you will see and what others around you will see in your personality and attitude. Break Free of The Negative Thinking That God Is Responsible For Your Health Problems It’s very sad to see so many people with health problems, especially Christians that believe it’s because God wants them sick or made them sick. The word of God doesn’t say that we are predestined for sickness, but it also doesn’t say that we can eat whatever we want and abuse our bodies and God will perform a miracle to get you well. If God were to answer many of the prayer requests to restore people’s health, many would probably be right back where they are in six months or less because they lack the knowledge about what got them sick in the first place. Please don’t misconstrue this to think I’m saying that unless you do everything perfect God won’t perform a miracle in your life. God has grace and mercy on us. He knows your heart and there have been plenty of cases where He has healed someone even when they did things wrong. Some people may be angry at God because they are sick or they may feel singled out and they don’t understand why something happened to them instead of someone else. You need to get over the blame game, pessimism, negative thinking, and sour attitude, and start looking at this from a positive point of view. The book of Exodus says the following: “…If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15:26 KJV) Certainly as far as eating is concerned, following dietary boundaries established by the Lord can make a significant impact on whether or not you live in a state of health or disease. As far as helping someone breaking free of the negative notion that God wants them sick, they need to understand that their thoughts, attitude, words, and actions play a major role in the outcome. It’s the devil that wants you thinking negatively with a sour attitude. It’s the devil that is stealing your peace and joy. He will do all he can to get you into a doom and gloom state where you will think wrong thoughts and speak negative words over your life because what you constantly dwell on and talk about will determine your reality if you’re not careful. I could do an entire study about the power of your thoughts and words and the importance of disciplining yourself to bring them under the authority of Jesus Christ. You need to be very careful about the seeds you allow to be planted through your thoughts and words. The Bible says that: “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” (John 10:10 Amplified) Jesus wants us to have life in this world, and abundant life in the world to come. He is not glorified by your sickness or health problems. God is actively in pursuit of laborers to work for His Kingdom. He needs all the workers He can get. The last thing He needs is you home or in the hospital sick with a pessimistic attitude where you can’t do a thing other than complain about your problems. We are to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, including our body. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16 KJV) If our bodies are a temple then we need to start respecting them as a temple. What are you allowing into your temple that could be defiling it? It’s time to start examining what you eat, drink, think, speak, listen to, and do. All of it has a link to your overall health and well-being. Churches and Pastors Need To Put More Emphasis On Health, Nutrition & Disease Prevention I believe that churches need to make health issues a much bigger priority. This is not to underplay the important spiritual role they have in properly leading people to Christ and Shepherding their flock. A good analogy of their duty would be to compare it to the duty of a watchman in the Bible. A watchman’s duty was to stand on the wall of the city as a guard to warn the inhabitants of impending danger from enemy attacks. Whenever they saw an enemy approach, they were supposed to sound the alarm so the inhabitants of the city could either flee in time or prepare quickly for battle. I believe in the area of health that church leaders have some responsibility in being watchmen. Many of them are great at giving heartwarming sermons, alerting people to spiritual deception, and converting unbelievers, but what are they doing about alerting their congregants to the toxic brew of chemicals found in the foods and beverages they are ingesting or the dangerous prescription drugs on the market that many in their congregation may be taking? If you knew that ingesting a specific ingredient or concoction of ingredients from food or medicine could make someone sick or possibly kill them, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to try and warn them? I pray that pastors and preachers will put more time into learning about health issues and designate some time to educating their congregation. If they can’t do it or they lack the knowledge, they should seek out experts who have an anointing in this area that can help them. Type II diabetes is a good example of doing more to shepherd God’s flock. Researchers are alarmed at the rise in Type II diabetes, especially with young children. The bottom line is this; if you don’t get your insulin under control and back to normal you will eventually die from this “man-made” disease. Why do I say “man-made?” Because almost all cases of Type II diabetes are diet related. If you have Type II diabetes you’re consuming far too much sugar and you’re severely mineral deficient, especially in vital trace minerals like chromium that come from whole foods. Our society is literally addicted to sugar and refined, processed foods that the body can’t recognize and ends up converting to sugar. The average American consumes close to 150 pounds of sugar a year according to well known author Nancy Appleton who wrote the book “Lick The Sugar Habit.” That’s almost a ½ a pound of sugar a day that your blood has to process. If you have been diagnosed with Type II diabetes what do you think your doctor will tell you to do? He or she will tell you that you need to take a prescription drug for the rest of your life, possibly even insulin injections, and that you can’t cure it. He or she may try and point out a few things like watching your sugar intake, but most doctors lack adequate knowledge about diet and nutrition because they are given very little training in med school in this area. The word pastor actually means shepherd. If you are a shepherd of God’s flock you have a duty to look after your sheep. A shepherd wouldn’t allow his herd of sheep to graze a field if he knew substances were in the food that could sicken or kill his herd. He also wouldn’t feed his flock inferior foods devoid of nutrition and let them drink contaminated water. He also wouldn’t put toxic drugs into his herd to suppress their symptoms of illness while continuing to let them eat and drink the same things that got them sick to begin with. The state of that shepherd’s flock would not be good and it wouldn’t be long before all his animals died off. Why should a pastor treat his congregation any differently? Christians have the power to change a lot of circumstances and situations in this world if they united on issues. If churches started to take a lead role in the area of health the big food corporations and drug companies would be forced to change. In the end, it all boils down to economics. If people stop buying these foods, beverages, and drugs the companies would be forced to offer better alternatives. Conclusion It is better to put your trust in the Lord than in man. If you are sincere in your desire to get well and start living God’s way, pray about what you’ve read here and seek direction from the Lord. He will lead you perfectly in the way that you should go. He has never let anyone down who has honestly sought Him with clean hands and a pure heart and He never will. I could add quite a bit more to all of these topics and address different ones as well but space does not permit me that opportunity. In future issues of CRUSADOR we will be covering many other topics along these lines in an effort to help you live a life of great health with spiritual prosperity. Hopefully through the information I’ve shared with you I’ve at least given you some motivation and words of wisdom to help you make some positive changes in key areas of your life. Here are a few more encouraging scriptures to leave you on a positive note. “O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” (Psalm 30:2 KJV) “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;” (Psalm 103:2-3 KJV) “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20 KJV) “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14 KJV) “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 KJV) |
| Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all human understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7 | |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
![]() ZetaBoards gives you all the tools to create a successful discussion community. Learn More · Sign-up Now |
|
| « Previous Topic · Other Health · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z5.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)




6:39 PM Jul 10