What are you eating?

In January, I had my annual medical physical.  This was a routine check complete with blood work.  After the year that we had in 2020, I was not surprised to see the number on the doctor’s scales.  My clothes had become a bit tighter than normal.  My exercise routine was in a lull.  I had not been watching my diet.  

Being at home and trying to isolate from Covid-19, I found myself baking and eating more; especially desserts.  Breads, cupcakes, pies and cookies became “comfort food.”   There is something about the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls that seems to scream “All is  well!”!   I found that I had slipped into a pattern of choosing unhealthy snacks and consuming a lot of calories.  The excess calories had caused me to pack on extra pounds.  I’m sure that I am not alone in this “dilemma”.

When my lab results came back, a few were not good.  I needed to alter my eating habits and make wiser choices or else I may need to take medication.  So, I began a lifestyle eating change.  I chose to go on the Mediterranean diet.  This diet is more of a lifestyle of eating fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, fish, beans and nuts.  I stopped eating sugar, artificial sweeteners and things made with white flour.  I gave up my diet soda and drink mostly water and a little coffee and tea.

At first, my husband was a little “apprehensive”.  He loves sweets and snacks more than I do!  But, once we started and his weight started dropping, he was onboard and happy.  We are a few weeks into our new eating habits and see/feel a big difference.  So far, he has lost close to 40 pounds and I have lost 14.  He has been able to cut some of his medication in half.  In a few weeks, I will have my blood work rechecked and expect to see a difference.  

Last week, I was texting with one of my close friends.  We had seen each other face to face the evening before.  She was commenting on how she had noticed that I had lost lots of weight.  She was asking me how I was feeling.  As I responded to her that I felt so much better, I felt the LORD speaking to my heart about applying this spiritually as well.

When your physical body is healthy and you are eating whole foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, eggs, etc…), limiting processed foods, you operate at a premium.  But, in contrast, when you eat sugar, more carbs, salt, your body suffers, packs on pounds and becomes unhealthy.  It is like putting diesel fuel into a gas engine.  It just doesn’t work.  It gums things up because a gas engine is designed for gas, not diesel and vice versa.  

This is the same thing when applied spiritually.  When your diet is on the Word of God and truth, your spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  When you snack and maintain a diet on secular television programs, news broadcasts, video games, etc., your spirit may be overcome by fear, hate, anxiety, violence and discord.  

It is Spring, a time of renewal!   Take a moment today and do a self-evaluation of your physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health.  If you find yourself needing to make some changes, NOW is the time to do it! 

In 1 Corinthians 6:19, we believers are asked “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.”   Let’s honor God by reading, praying, listening, meditating and obeying His Word. Let’s honor God by eating more fresh whole foods and less processed foods.  Let’s exercise more and get moving!  

Psalms 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.