Recently while looking for a particular item in my kitchen cabinet, the words on a label caught my eye. The label read, “Eat like your life depends on it.” Since the label was on a healthy item, I interpreted the words to mean, eat food that contributes to good health.
Better health, better life!
I’ve had a few health issues in my lifetime. Such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, Graves’ Disease (an Autoimmune Disease), joint pain, and eczema, just to name a few. With all of them, I’ve gotten well be eliminating and adding certain foods to my diet.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
According to livestrong.com, an unhealthy diet can affect the way we feel, look, think, and act. It also creates several negative health issues. I can attest to that!
When I eat foods that are not beneficial to my health, I’ll physically feel terrible. I’ll feel sluggish or irritable. I’ll have headaches, digestive pain, and joint pain. Sometimes I’ll even get sick. I’ve learned the hard way that what I put into my body matters.
The choice is ours. We can consume foods that contribute to life or death.
Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
Likewise, what we feed our soul (mind and emotions) and our spirit makes a difference in our mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.
We are bombarded daily with mental, emotional, and spiritual junk food. It comes in the form of listening to gossip or negative talk. Listening to, reading, or watching material that present worldly viewpoints that are contrary to biblical truths.
I like staying informed as much as the next person but even spending too much time watching the news can be detrimental. If I watch too much news I can start to feel angry, sad, overwhelmed, or worried. Also, being around negative people or gossipers, makes me feel yucky.
Those are all things we could stand to eliminate from our soul and spiritual diets. But what are some things we should add that would contribute to better mental, emotional, and spiritual health?
- Read and listen to God’s word regularly. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- Read material that inspires or educates. “Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” ~ Jim Rohn
- Surround ourselves with positive people. Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
- Watch and listen to programs that are uplifting and positive. Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Are you catching every cold that goes around? Experiencing brain fog? Fatigue? Headaches? Bloating? Grumpiness? Dull skin? Joint pain? Sleeplessness? Constipation? What are you eating and drinking?
Are you experiencing anxiety, sadness, irritability, anger, fear, discouragement, critical judgmental thoughts, divisive thoughts? What are you reading, listening to, and watching? Who are you spending time with?
We all need to evaluate our diets from time to time, eliminating some things and adding others. What we consume makes a huge difference in all areas of our lives.
Let’s eat like our lives depend on it. Let’s consume things that contribute to our overall health and longevity; spirit, soul, and body.
3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
What are some ways you stay healthy spirit, soul, and body? Encourage others by sharing below.
I know these are tough times. Hang in there. We will get through this together. I’m praying for you. God bless you!
~Patrice Maguire
Dear God, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will through the power of Your Holy Spirit. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.