Temperance

Temperance is defined as "moderation in things that are good and abstinence from things that are bad for us". Good things like food, exercise, water and sunlight can have negative effects on our health if they are not used in moderation. For instance, overeating overburdens the stomach and can lead to indigestion, heartburn, irritability, insomnia, dullness and weight gain. Even though moderate exercise is vital for optimum health, excessive exercise can have a negative effect on our health. Even though the body needs enough rest for regeneration, too much rest is detrimental to our health. Even though sunshine is a source of vitamin D, excessive sunshine can become a cancer promoting agent.

Besides using in moderation the good things that God has provided for us, we must abstain from all things that will harm the body. Negative substances such as alcohol, drugs, soft drinks (soda) and unclean foods must be discarded from our table. As we strive for optimum health, we must also endeavour to put the following tested principles into practice:

A) we must endeavour to eat at regular intervals and avoid the use of snacks which delays digestion;

B) we must avoid drinking with meals, a practice which also delays digestion. We can take water 20-30 minutes before a meal, and 1-2 hours after a meal;

C) we must enveavour to avoid refined sugar which retards the immune system from fighting infections. We can substitute refined sugar with honey;

D) in as much as fruits and vegetables are good, we must avoid eating the two food items together as their combination causes fermentation in the stomach which can lead to some health problems;

E) we must endeavour not to eat late in the evening as the stomach needs a rest too. Many are those who are grappling with serious health issues as a result of eating late in the evening or worse still in the night. Even as many in our world today are destroying the body temple through unrestrained use of the good things of life and various harmful substances, it is my prayer that the Lord will provide you with the needed strength to consider a NEWSTART in temperance.