What are you eating?
Proverbs 24: 13-14
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
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.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You have heard it said, “You are what you eat.”
Do you eat fruit and vegetables or donuts, cookies; something sweet?
Do you eat healthy protein?
Or do you eat snacks, chips instead of meat that is lean?Your physical diet is important to health.
Examine what you eat to see if you are bankrupt or have great wealth.
If you do not eat healthy foods the body needs, The body becomes sluggish, tired and fat proceeds.
A life of disease and inactivity become the result.
Numerous medicines taken and doctors you must consult.
For the choices we make each day – Have a long term effect in every way.
The same is true with your heart and mind.
What you fill your mind with is what comes out of your mouth, you will find.
Are you reading God’s word, the Bible, knowing truth?
Or are you feeding on news, playing video games, watching something uncouth?
What are you feeding your soul?
Are you moving closer to God, filled with joy, becoming healthy and whole?
Are you growing in humility, love, joyfully serving and sharing?
Or are you turning your back on the hurting, not caring?
Do you intentionally seek God, His will each day?
Do you surrender to His will and diligently pray?
Or do you just “go through the motions” out of habit?
Devotions become a “check box” exercise; quick as a rabbit.
Do you ponder on God’s Word?
Or are there competing voices in your head that is heard?
Like the right type of food is important for the body, the right type of “food” is important for your spirit.
Open up God’s Word. Be still, so you can hear it.
Let the WORD penetrate your heart.
Repent from sin. Get a fresh start.
Let the Holy Spirit work in you life – Providing peace, ridding of anxiety, grief and strife.
Let the fruit of the Spirit grow.
So others see Jesus in you and come to know.
Jesus is the only way.
To be healthy and whole and to spend eternity with Him in heaven some day.
Photo Credit Salad: Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis
Photo Credit Scale: Theme Inn@themeinn
