Wednesday: Habit – Keep a Healthy Mind, Body and Soul
We originally were created perfect – mentally, physically, and spiritually. Of course, sin has ruined it all. The good news of the gospel, among other things, is that God is in the process of restoring us to what we were originally meant to be.
Image © Jack Pardue Goodsalt.com
Read Acts 3:21 and Rev. 21:1-5. What hope is found in these texts for us? How are we to live as we await this final restoration?
Christ worked tirelessly when here for the uplifting of humanity spiritually, mentally, and physically, all as precursor to the final restoration at the end of time. Jesus’ ministry of healing proves that God wants us to be as healthy as we possibly can now until the end comes. Thus stewards develop habits for their minds, bodies, and souls that promote a healthy lifestyle.
First, the mind will grow stronger the more it is used. Habitually, fill your mind with “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (Phil. 4:8, NIV). Such thoughts bring peace (Isa. 26:3), and a “heart at peace gives life to the body” (Prov. 14:30, NIV). Healthy habits of the mind allow the citadel of power to operate in the best condition possible.
Second, good health habits, such as exercise and proper diet, indicate that we care about ourselves. Exercise, for example, lowers stress and blood pressure, improves our moods, and is an elixir that is probably more anti-aging than anything available on the shelves.
Third, a steward will develop good habits to invigorate the soul. Lift your soul up to God (Ps. 86:4-5) and wait (Ps. 62:5). Your soul will prosper “as you walk in the truth” (3 John 3, NKJV) and will be “preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23, NKJV).
| Think about the kind of habits you have and how they impact your spiritual, physical, and mental health. Are there some changes that you need to make that could help you improve in any or all of these areas? What choices can you make and what Bible promises can you claim that will help you improve the quality of your life now as you await your final restoration? |
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Here is that serious SOP quote..
"If you would be a saint in heaven you must first be a saint on earth. The traits of character you cherish in life will not be changed by death or by the resurrection. You will come up from the grave with the same disposition you manifested in your home and in society. Jesus does not change the character at His coming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our daily lives are determining our destiny. Defects of character must be repented of and overcome through the grace of Christ, and a symmetrical character must be formed while in this probationary state, that we may be fitted for the mansions above".—Manuscript Releases 13:82 (1891).
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. IS 55:7
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Cor 10:5
I have developed a habit that has cost me my health. I knew from the beginning that it was ungodly, but I continuously do it and I have suffered with the health problem that affects my brain for 8 years up until now.
After being to many hospitals, I have found out its cause in one of sister Whites book that the state of my health was a consequence of my own action.
This lesson on stewardship is also relaying the same message.
It is timely and I want to change, I said sorry to God and I have turned from my wicked ways. I know he will forgive me and restore my health.
Jeremiah, Thank you for this testimony and these encouraging thoughts.
Incredible piece, the Bible has made us to be aware that our body is the temple of God. So long as we keep the Temple clean, it should reflect on our daily lives, no matter the challenges that come our way. Cleaning the Temple comes at a cost of self discipline, self control, perseverance, focus and goal orientation. God Bless Us All, Amen.
Very few of us can say, I have accomplished what our lesson has taught us today. I am not what I am used to be; however, I have not made it to where I need to be. He who has began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.
It's been a while that I have a problem with one knee. Because of it I was forced to look for the proper exercise! I still have not solved the problem, but this has kept me under the exercise/diet routine. I hope for the cure, but I learned to be thankful anyway!
I would place rest right after exercise and "Diet" at the very end of the list of items for health habits. Many people are overworked because they do not follow temperance in their work habits and are all stressed out because they also do not get enough restful sleep. So, after rest I would place temperance and then I would still place recreation way before diet. Many people do not get the proper recreation and never even take vacations which are very important to total health. Egw herself said that negative emotions have about 90% effect on inviting decay and death and breaking down the life forces and did not even mention diet as having anything to do with bad health and disease.
Having been involved in CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Program) for some time now, there is much to be said for a holistic approach to lifestyle. In our society we have many lifestyle diseases that shorten our lives considerably yet we blithely ignore the really good advice that Seventh-day Adventists have know for a long time.
I include myself in this because in 2003, I could not bend down and tie up my shoelaces without holding my breath. If I fumbled the tieing, I would need to stand up and take a few deep breaths before having another go. I considered myself healthy, but then I had a brain snap and saw myself for what I really was, overweight and under-exercised! Supported by Carmel, my wife I embarked on a lifestyle change. I ate carefully and reduced my weight from 110kg to 85kg in 4 months. (People who had not seen me for a while did not recognise me!) By then, I realised that if I was to stay healthy I needed to change my lifestyle considerably and keep it that way. Somewhere along the line we became involved in CHIP and being able to share and support others has been a real benefit. I learned the importance of exercise, rest and sleep, water, spiritual experience, all working together for a happy life journey.
As I write this, I have just finished my morning walk, 12,580 steps (in the rain). I feel relaxed, invigorated and ready for a days work.
While the CHIP has been a useful vehicle for me, it was not until I decided for myself that being healthy was a worthwhile goal that the whole lifestyle stewardship made sense to me. I see a lot of people coming to CHIP and other health programs thinking that they can solve their problems by living out the program for 3 months. Not so! It has to be a lifestyle change - and that is the good stewardship issue.
that is the goal on a moment by moment basis to keep a healthy mind body and Soul..by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.
It is a good idea to let the Holy Spirit to lead us, but what action does it lead us to take. We pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us but then we expect some great miracle to happen that changes our lives. Maybe the Holy Spirit has already planted the seeds for action in your mind. You need to listen and take action. If we are still doing the same old things, it may be a sign that we are not listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying.
The Holy Spirit leads gently. It does not push and shove!
amen. we have to let go and let God.