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Amazing Tips on How to Prosper in Health

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Samuel Smith
5

LESSON 12

AMAZING TIPS ON HOW TO PROSPER IN HEALTH

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

Friends, I want to thank the Lord so much for how far He has brought us. This study will be the last in our series on How to Prosper in Health. In this last study, we will consider the topic: Amazing Tips on How to Prosper in Health. Throughout this series, we have considered various topics from Scripture in relation to how we can prosper in health. As we draw the curtain down on this series, I want us to add to what we have already gained, some amazing factors that will help us to obtain complete health even as we occupy what has been entrusted unto us until the coming of our Saviour.

The amazing tips on health that I want to share in this study are captured by the acronym NEWSTART. This acronym stands for: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in God. We will now consider each of the factors one after the other:

1) NUTRITION

Nutrition can be defined as "What needs to be eaten to sustain a person's body; food, esp. food containing the required vitamins and energy" (Wordweb). From our previous study, we emphasised that the original diet that God gave mankind at creation is still the best diet for man today. The first diet God gave mankind after creation was fruits, grains, nuts and legumes (see Genesis 1:29). After man sinned, God added vegetables (see Genesis 3:18). This set of plant-based diet contains all the nutrients that we need for optimum health today.

To ensure that we are not malnourished in the use of plant-based diet, we must make sure that we eat a variety of the fruits, grains, nuts, legumes and vegetables that God has lovingly provided for us. This exercise will provide us with a balanced diet that contains all the essential nutrients necessary for the nourishment of the body. Several studies have shown that living on a plant-based diet reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Some may want to find out whether a plant-based diet alone will produce all the nutrients necessary for the growth and maintenance of the body? The answer is a big yes. When we consume a variety of the different kinds of fruits, grains, nuts, legumes and vegetables, our bodies will not lack any essential nutrient. Recent plagues among livestock, birds, fishes and other animal species have made the vegetarian option even more preferred. Animal infected diseases such as the mad cow disease, bird flu and swine flu are just a few of the several diseases that are attacking humans today because of the consumption of flesh food. Even as many are making their own graves today through what they eat, it is my prayer that the Lord will strengthen you to consider a NEWSTART in what you eat.

2) EXERCISE

Exercise is defined as "The activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit" (Wordweb). When God created man, He gave us the blessing of exercise. From Genesis 2:15, we read the following: "And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it". Activity has been the law of life right after creation.

The benefits of exercise on the body are enormous. Exercise leads to an improved circulation of blood to other body organs which lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body, thus decreasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Regular exercise has also got mental benefits such as an overall improved sense of wellbeing; increase in energy, efficiency and endurance. Regular exercise also lifts depression, reduces stress and improves quality of sleep. Moderate exercise also helps us to improve appetite, control and helps us to attain a desirable weight. Besides all these, exercise also strengthens the body’s immune system, strengthens the bones and lowers insulin requirements.

Despite all these benefits of exercise, inactivity is what abounds in our society today. The hazards of inactive or sedentary lifestyle are enormous. Besides affecting the quality of life, a sedentary lifestyle also increases the risk of acquiring today’s degenerative diseases. For instance, an inactive lifestyle can lead to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer as well as anxiety and depression. With all the risks of inactivity staring at you, why don’t you get up and begin exercising today. Brisk walking is the best form of exercise. It’s inexpensive, safe and nearly everyone can get involved. Other forms of exercise associated with hobbies such as gardening, swimming, tennis etc. can also help to improve the body muscles.

About 30 minutes of exercise a day will give one the vitality of body and mind needed to pursue the various activities within the day. In as much as exercise is a blessing, excessive exercise can tear the muscles of the body and be counter- productive. Even as many have resorted to an inactive lifestyle today, it is my prayer that the Lord will strengthen you to consider a NEWSTART in exercise.

3) WATER

Water is defined as "A liquid necessary for the life of most animals and plants" (Wordweb). Research has shown that the human body is made up of 70 % water; the gray matter of the brain is made up of 85 % water; the human blood is made up of 83 % water; muscles are made up of 75 % water while hard marrow bones are made up of between 20-25 % water. These statistics show clearly that if there is anything the body needs continuously, it is adequate supply of water.

This point becomes even more important as a result of the fact that the body loses a lot of its water through breathing, insensible loses, urine and stool. The average daily water loss in the body is about 2,300 millimetres. Thus, about 2,300 millimetres of water is needed to compensate body water loss in a day. When we fail to replace the water that is leaving the body regularly, our bodies become dehydrated. We can know our bodies are dehydrated when we are thirsty or pass little urine. We should not wait to feel thirsty before taking in water.

We must nourish our bodies with regular supplies of water throughout the day. If we fail to do this, we will risk contracting constipation which might lead to dizziness and headaches. Taking in more water daily reduces the risk of kidney and gallstone formation. Even as many have become so busy to even remember to furnish their bodies with the appropriate water supply per day, it is my prayer that the Lord will strengthen you to consider a NEWSTART in taking in large amounts of water daily.

4) SUNLIGHT

Sunlight is defined as "The rays of the sun" (Wordweb). Sunlight is a great blessing that the Lord has given to mankind. There are several benefits of sunlight for the human body. Sunlight helps in the building and repairing of the bones through an increased level of vitamin D in the body system. Moreover, sunlight kills many bacteria, viruses and molds.

To ensure that you have the needed sunlight for the body, it is preferable to come out and enjoy the early morning mild rays of the sun before it becomes too hot. You can take a brisk walk in the mornings when the sun breaks out. We must also ensure that sunlight enters our homes by opening curtains and windows. This practice will help to kill bacteria that lurk in the dust. Even as many lock themselves in their rooms and work today, it is my prayer that the Lord will strengthen you to consider a NEWSTART in taking in large amounts of sunshine.

5) 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.

6) AIR

Air is defined as "A mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of" (Wordweb). Air is vital for our survival. We can go weeks without food, days without water but only few minutes without air. In our generation, several forms of pollution have made it difficult to obtain clean air. Industries, vehicle exhaust and smoke are the main contributors to air pollution. Air pollution adds gases, acids, dirt and germs to the air. This affects the body’s respiratory tract and leads to negative infections such as burning eyes, runny nose, headache, coughing, fatigue, negative emotions, asthma, allergies, bronchitis and emphysema.

To overcome these negative effects of air pollution, we need to follow steps that will help us to obtain adequate clean air for our body. Plants provide pure air that the body needs for optimum health. We can grow houseplants in our homes to ensure that the body is supplied with clean fresh air for a good part of the day. If this is impossible to follow, we should get close to nature to experience the vitality of pure air that emanates from plants. Moreover, it is important to circulate fresh air into our rooms by opening our windows during the day and also at night if safe to do so. As we go through the day, we should pause to take some deep breaths of pure oxygen at regular intervals to ensure that the body is provided with the nourishment of air that is needed.

Some practices that prevent a good circulation of oxygen to all parts of the body, and thus prevent the body from experiencing optimum health include the wearing of tight clothing, belts or waistband; incorrect breathing; regular sitting or walking in poor posture as well as smoking and the use of alcoholic beverages. Even as we are living at a time in the history of our world where fresh air is difficult to access, it is my prayer that you will consider a NEWSTART in working out for pure clean air through the principles we have gone through.

7) REST

Rest is defined as "A pause for relaxation" (Wordweb). There are two types of rest that the body needs for optimum health. These are daily rest and periodic rest. We obtain our daily rest through sleep. Periodic rest is obtained when we arrange for a leave from work and take a vacation to an area where we can relax from all the pressures and stress of work life. Many people find it difficult to obtain the time for a periodic rest. However, this challenge is resolved when one comes to understand and keep the Seventh-day Sabbath. God provided mankind with the gift of the Sabbath to refresh him from the stress and pressures of work life. With the popular 24/7 slogan that has been adopted by various organisations, many are those who are deprived from periodic rest which is vital for optimum health.

Besides periodic rest, the body also needs a daily sleep rest. Many of us seldom obtain adequate sleep within the week. It is important to note that persistent cheating on our sleep produces serious physical and emotional problems such as leg cramps, incoherent speech, inability to focus the eyes, emotional despair, and irrational behavior. Sleeplessness is responsible for a lot of the automobile accidents in various parts of the world. Many walk about today with a vital rest need. It is important to note that quality rest brings restoration, and provides sufficient time for the body to restore that which has been used.

Rest need however differs from person to person. For instance, babies need an average of 20 hours sleep per day, 6 year olds need an average of 10 hours of sleep per day, 12 year olds require 9 hours of sleep while adults require 7-8 hours of sleep. There are several things that prevent us from obtaining good quality sleep. To improve sleep quality we must observe the following:

A) we must rest in a properly ventilated and quiet bedroom, free of bright light and noise;

B) we must end day peacefully by trying to avoid exciting TV programmes and arguments;

C) we must obtain regular exercise within the day;

D) we must avoid late meals as an overdose digestive system prevents peaceful sleep. The final meal should be light and taken 3-4 hours before going to bed;

E) a warm, not hot bath, may help relaxation before going to bed;

F) we must avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and other drugs which interfere with normal sleep pattern. Even us many today engage in numerous activities that deprive them of daily and periodic rest; it is my prayer that you consider a NEWSTART in rest.

8) TRUST IN GOD

Trust is defined as to "Have confidence or faith in" (Wordweb). Many are those who desire and crave for change after going through the health principles we have just gone through. However, these people realise that it is difficult for them to find the power to change. They realise that they do not possess the inner strength to overcome the negative habits that they have practiced over the years. These experiences tell us that despite what the various self-help books will want us to believe, the fact is that the power to overcome any negative behaviour does not reside in us but in God. It is trust in the divine power of God that will enable us to overcome all our weaknesses.

From Jeremiah 32:27, we read the following words of our Creator: "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" Beloved, what are you struggling to overcome? Just bring it to the Lord in prayer. Begin your prayer by thanking God for showing you grace despite your negative lifestyle choices, and revealing these secrets of health unto you. Next, you must acknowledge your sin for destroying the body temple with negative behaviour, and ask Him to forgive you. Then ask Him to provide you with the strength to overcome the habit you want to quit. Ask Him to give you the strength to implement the positive things you have learned so far in this study. Now, believe that the Lord has heard you, and given you the power and strength to overcome.

Make no provision to fail by hanging out with friends or situations that will lead you back into the old negative practices. Persevere in your resolve to live right for the Lord. You can be victorious by trusting in the mighty power of God. When the apostle Paul came to completely trust in the Lord, he could make the following statement: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Let this text be your slogan even as you apply these tried and tested principles of NEWSTART for optimum health.

Even as I bring this study to an end, I want to encourage you that it does not matter how far you have destroyed the body temple as a result of negative choices. You can always have a NEWSTART in Jesus. For the Scripture says: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Exhortation: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 2).

REFERENCE: Seventh-day Adventists PowerPoint Slides on NEWSTART

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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