Looking around lately, many friends lives are changing dramatically. I could say that I have finally reached the age where lives change and chronic illness sets in. Frankly, it is happening to friends and family much younger than me, as well. Cancer, Diabetes and other health issues seem to be surrounding me. Maybe they are surrounding you too. One thing is for sure, I have been taking my health for granted. Since I have been healthy, I assume I will stay healthy. Friends and family all around me are proving that to be wrong.
I first have to say that being healthy is not about weight. Being healthy is about spiritual, emotional and physical well-being. I think I go up and down, backward and forward on all of those, but yet manage to somehow move more forward on all of them. This scripture reminds me of my call to being more like Christ.
22 So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. 23 Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, 24 and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24 (GNT).
Yes, I have taken for granted my health. But, I have also decided it is time to change that. It has become clear to me that to live with vitality, to be joyful, creative, confident, humble and courageous, I need to be physically well. When I am firing on all cylinders, my spiritual, emotional and physical well-being are in peak performance mode. Getting there and staying there is quite the challenge.
I often say that I’m a research geek. So, as I began to really dig into my physical health, I went to experts and clinical research to understand how to help my body function better. The more I dig the more amazed I am at the intricacies God went to create the human body. I am continually in awe of Him. Did you know that we are more bacteria than cells? It is kind of creepy and gross, but it’s true.
Many of the truths I have uncovered have been hard to swallow. The evil of sugar is one example. I like sugar in lots of different treats. I don’t want to give it up. It has been very challenging. Then I go back to this scripture telling me to get rid of my old self being destroyed by deceitful desires. Ugh. Sugar has a strong hold on me, and I have taken for granted that everything the commercials tell me is healthy is true. Ugh. Physical healing may be harder than emotional healing. God calls us to complete, total, nothing left un-turned, healing. That is all of it spiritual, emotional and physical. It’s time for me to take on my physical health. I want a life filled with vitality. I want a life firing on all cylinders. I want to fully embrace every opportunity God gives me, so it’s time to stop giving into my deceitful desires. It’s time to stop taking for granted what I assume to be true. It’s time to give God the very best of all of me. Will you join me?
What helps you live with vitality? Share here and we can encourage each other.