Introduction
The Bible which is the accurate Word of God, speaks volume about our health and how to live healthy.
There are substantial undisputable data to show that God so designed us to experience and enjoy good health.
The Scripture is more than enough to guide us into good health, in fact, it’s “The Manual” for healthy living God’s way.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John: 2).
We maintain good health through the working of the physical and spiritual immune system.
We boost our physical immunity by three basic methods, healthy eating, regular exercise and adequate rest and sleep.
We all want to apply the principles for maintaining good physical health through nutritious food, exercise, pure water, cut out junk foods, get plenty of sleep, healthy eating and loving relationships.
We need to have a better understanding of nutritious foods that boost immunity like citrus fruits, red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spinach, yogurt, almonds, sunflower seeds, turmeric, green tea, papaya, kiwi and others.
The same is true for all Christians to approach their spiritual health by keeping their spiritual immune systems in tip-top shape. Every believer in Jesus Christ should boost their immunity through prayer and fasting, reading, studying and meditating the scripture, cultivating pure thoughts, assemble and worship with other believers, develop and maintain good quality relationships, practice Christian service in giving, caring, and witnessing.
We need to strengthen our spiritual immune system so as to develop the ability to withstand, survive and overcome the intangible disease such as fear, anxiety, hatred, anger, bitterness, doubt, resentment, envy, unhealthy relationships, depression, unbeliefs, gossiping, complaining, and negativism.
Let us take a brief dive into some principles of healthy living according to God’s design.
Principle #1: Believe What God Says About Healthy Living
The first principle is to accept without questioning the Word of God. Believe the Bible as God talking to you face to face. In other words, it is your faith that will make all the difference in what you experience in your life.
Hear what the scripture says “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper” (2 Chronicles 20:20). Prosper comes from the Hebrew word ‘shalowm’, meaning safe, well, health, prosperity.
Everything boils down to our quality of belief, it must be pure from all unbeliefs, doubts, questions, or fear. Jesus told His disciples that it was because of their unbelief that prevent them from seeing desired results, (Matthew 17: 20).
Principle #2: Watch Out for Hidden Time Bombs
Hidden timebombs mean danger is ahead that can suddenly explode. The good news though, there are usually some warning signs both in the physical and spiritual realms.
Physical timebombs in your life could be early warning stages of your body heading toward chronic illness or disease: showing signs such as fatigue, brain fog, energy spikes followed by crashes, acid reflux, hormonal imbalance, constant need for antibiotics, or even premature aging.
Spiritual timebombs could be, you are indifferent about the church and the things of God. You have a gift of complaining and criticizing almost everything. You are on a missionary journey of fault finding, and rejoice when you see or hear about a wounded soldier on the battle field. Your Christian walk is compromised with questionable and double standard living.
Principle #3: Manage the Quality and Quantity of Your Food Intake
Proverbs 23: 1-2 says “When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite.
Even though it may be lawful for you to eat whatsoever is set before you; because every creature of God being good, if it is received with thanksgiving, and sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.
Notwithstanding, it is a piece of wisdom to make use of that which is most beneficial to the quality of your health, and offering less risk. You should remember to observe moderation in all, and not indulge to gluttony and drunkenness.
Whether you are sitting at the King’s table or sitting at your own dining table at home, same principle should apply. Be consciously careful to select your food wisely.
There is a saying that says, “We become what we eat, or we are what we eat”. There are physical foods and spiritual foods, and we have to select our daily portion to maintain good health.
Principle #4: Exercise Regularly
1 Timothy 4: 7-8 says, “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come”. The Apostle Paul is saying here that exercise is essential, more so spiritually, to healthy living.
There is a quote that says – “Those who do not find time for exercise will have to make time for illness.” Edward Stanley. Both exercises should be conducted daily, in order to get maximum benefits. The real substance is in the regularity and consistency of bodily and spiritual exercise.
Principle #5: Seek Proper Rest and Sleep
Our body was designed to rest and sleep. In so doing, the cells of the body get rest and repair themselves, to rejuvenate and recharge. Lack of rest and proper sleep lead to mental breakdown, sickness and premature aging. Most adults need 7 or more hours of good-quality night sleep on a regular basis.
Getting quality sleep is not only about total hours of sleep. It’s also important to get good-quality sleep so when the Spirit of God wake you up, and you feel well rested.
The Word of God tells us about the importance of enjoying good quality sleep: “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet”. (Proverbs 3:24). “At this, I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been very sweet“.(Jeremiah 31:26)
“I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me”.(Psalm 3:5). “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep”. (Psalm 127:2).
Principle #6: God’s Design For Healthy Living
God’s design for good health is based on Faith, Obedience and Consistency. Faith and belief are one and the same to an extent. It is our belief that enhances our faith;
and as our faith grows, unbelief will diminish. Romans 10:17 says “Faith cometh by hearing and by hearing the Word of God“. So as we read, study and meditate the Scripture our health with improve.
Faith and obedience work hand in gloves. We have to believe the Word followed with obedience. Listen to the Word Of God, “……. If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee”. (Exodus 15:26).
Reverence for the Lord brings good health – “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones”. (Proverbs 3: 7-8).
Principle #7: Thoughts Are Things – Examine Them Closely
When I say Thoughts Are Things, I am not about to gone down the “New Thought Movement” path. I am remaining in the undiluted Word of God that says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”.
Thoughts created and issued from our mind, but those thoughts are not created in vacuum, it’s a result of what we feed our minds on. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you”.
We must therefore concentrate and think on the right things, according to Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”.
Thoughts are things is not a cliché, it is reality. Our thought fashion and determine our life. There is an anonymous quote that says, “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny”.
Conclusion
God health ultimately comes from God, through our faith, obedience and persistency. The Lord will keep us from all pestilence including Covid-19. No evil will come near your dwell, because He will command His angels in regard to you, to protect and defend and guard you in all your ways through our obedience and service. (Based on Psalm 91).
“The Lord will take away from you all sickness; and He will not subject you to any of the harmful diseases of Egypt which you have known, but He will impose them on all [those] who hate you”. (Deutoronomy 7:15).
We were all designed by the Creator to experience and enjoy good vibrant health all our life. Sickness comes because of the fall and continues by rebellion against God.
Yeshua came to bring salvation, which includes our health; by His stripes we are healed. God made us to be healthy and remain so. Remember this, we are healthy by design and sick by default.
