Good Health

Good health is something many don’t appreciate until they lose it. Typical of most Western countries, heart and blood-vessel diseases, and cancer account for about 60 per cent of all deaths in Australia and NZ—about 75,500 per year or 210 every day in Australia. (Car accidents account for 4 per cent and suicide less than 2 per cent). They’re Australia’s biggest killers, yet they’re largely preventable. Apart from inherited factors, other risk-contributing factors include: smoking, a diet high in fat, sugar and salt, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol, stress, and a refined-food diet lacking in fibre and nutrients.

The Bible has quite a lot to say about personal health. It presents human beings as a unity—physical, mental, social and spiritual. What affects one aspect affects all.

1 What did Jesus say was one of the reasons He came to earth?
(John 10:10) “That they may have life, and have it to the full.”

2 As well as spiritual wellbeing, what does John pray his readers will enjoy?
(3 John 2) “Enjoy good health. . . .”

3 How beneficial is cheerfulness to good health, according to wise King Solomon?
(Proverbs 17:22) “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
take care of your health

4 Why does Paul say we should honour God with our bodies?
(1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit . . . not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.”

5 What should guide us in lifestyle matters?
(1 Corinthians 10:31) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

a guide to good health
In Genesis chapters one and two, there is an outline of the ideal environment for a healthy lifestyle: fresh air; pure water; sunshine; a diet of fruit, nuts and grains; exercise; self-control; regular rest; and a relationship with God as represented by Sabbath fellowship and eating from the tree of life. These are basic principles of health and happiness.

Today’s diseases are lifestyle-related—heart and blood-vessel diseases, high-blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, diabetes and osteoporosis. Dr Bortz, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, said, “There is no drug in current or prospective use that holds as much promise for sustained health as a life-time program of physical exercise.” If an extra 40 per cent of Australians exercised, there would be a net economic gain to the nation of $6.5 million each day.

6 What was the original diet given by God in the Garden of Eden?
(Genesis 1:29, 30) “Every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.”
Karen Collins, a registered dietitian with the American Institute for Cancer Research, says research shows a plant-based diet is the key to warding off cancer.

avoiding harmful things
7 What does Paul say we should avoid?
(2 Corinthians 7:1) “Everything that contaminates body and spirit.”

8 What does Solomon say concerning those who use alcoholic drinks?
(Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35) “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. . . . Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine.”

Tobacco and alcohol are responsible for 98 per cent of drug-related deaths in Australia and cost the community some $A17 billion a year.

faith and health
9 What does God promise for those who trust Him?
(Psalm 103:2-4) “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”

While God promises to heal us, for many that healing won’t take place until Jesus comes again. Daniel and his three friends (Daniel 1) showed their trust in God regarding lifestyle. They resolved to not defile themselves “with the food and wine from the king’s table” and asked for “nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.” At the end of the 10 days they were obviously healthier than those who ate the royal food (Daniel 1:5, 8-16).

Claudia Wallis, in Time, on the relationship between faith and health, reports that churchgoers enjoy better health. They have half the risk of dying from heart disease, have less depression and are physically healthier than those who rarely attend!

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Faith in God is beneficial to our health, not just so we can live longer, but that we might more effectively share the good news about Jesus.

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