In other words, something that makes no sense, senseless and incomprehensible.
In recent times now the increasing incidents of deaths and illnesses in the body of Christ has become very alarming. Suffice it to say that a lot of these illnesses and deaths could be avoided if certain precautionary measures were taken and strictly adhered to. In this short space we shall look at some of these simple but very important measures.
The importance of good mental and physical health of a believer cannot be over emphasized. John 3:2 – “I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers”
In a book titled "PRAYER WARRIORS", it was reported concerning a man of God who prayed so much (if one can ever pray so much). It was reported that this man prayed kneeling on snow and the sweat from his body melted the snow.
Subsequently, this man of God took ill and on his dying bed he said to his friend “God gave me a horse and a message, I have killed the horse, who will deliver the message?” This man of God died at the age of 25 because he did not take care of his body or better still himself.
You know we are quick to say when a believer dies that he/she has finished his ministry. This is pure nonsensical ignorance. It is a belief that must be debunked and totally erased from the mentality of believers.
It is one thing to hear God concerning what to do and yet another thing to fulfill your ministry. Believers should not shy away from proper health care.
The Bible makes it clear in 1st Corinthians 3:16-17 and it says “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple is sacred and you are that temple”. The Bible is saying that we should not only flee sexual sins but also flee indulgence, anxiety etc.
It therefore means that once the body is misused, illness or even death may occur.
As a matter of fact, living in divine health must be as result of being connected to God who is the giver of life – John 10:10b.
It is also very true that disobedience to God’s word attracts sickness and even death while obedience to his word leads to good health and life in abundance. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 succinctly states the blessings of God as a result of obedience to his word while Deuteronomy 28:16-68 provides for causes. Are you surprised to see that the causes are much more than the blessings?
In verse 22 of Deuteronomy 28, the Bible used the word "Consumption" which is one of the illnesses caused by disobedience to God’s word. Consumption is nothing but HIV/AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This type of sickness except otherwise contracted is as a result of disobedience to God’s word. It is however important to point out that some illnesses could be caused by attacks.
We shall therefore run through some recommendations which is however inexhaustible.
Eating Right:
In addition to obedience to the word of God and letting Jesus be Lord over your life, you must eat right.Eating right means: eating the right thing, the right quantity, at the right time and in the right place.
Right Meal:
The right thing or right meal does not mean rice for breakfast, yam for lunch and “Eba” for dinner. That will mean stuffing your system with a lot of carbohydrates.The Right Place:
It is unbelievable how people eat in their bedrooms while lying down and watching television. It is a very wrong approach to feeding right.The Right Time:
Eating at the right time entails not eating – in – between meals and definitely not eating late. The digestion of every food taken is very important.The Right Quantity:
It is disheartening that a good number of believers have found pleasure in over-feeding. The Bible says that both food and the stomach that housed it will be destroyed one day. Any believer who does not have self restraint in the area of food will definitely sell his or her birth right like Esau.In eating right, the importance of natural fruits, vegetables and lots and lots of water is very important.
It is recommended that we eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. What you eat for especially dinner matters.
Do you realize that more and more people are becoming vegetarians or semi-vegetarians? The advise of doctors is for persons over 30years of age to reduce animal protein in favour of vegetable protein and cut down on fats, oils, alcohol and cholesterol. Consider Daniel chapter 1 in this matter. Bible says that Daniel and his brothers became healthier and better nourished.
Many Christians sometimes eat under nourished food and many others over indulge in food. This causes diseases nd ailments and the organs will find it very difficult to function properly.
Exercise and Recreation:
The body needs to burn up some stored energy it gets from food. Most slim people think that exercise is for the so-called fat people alone. What a mistaken belief. In 1 Timothy 4:8b, the Bible declares “for bodily exercise profits little but godliness is profitable unto all things…”There are various kinds of exercise we could do to help our system, jogging, skipping, aerobics, riding, strolling, table and lawn tennis and a lot of other ones. A good number of ailments will not have occurred but for lack of exercise.
Rest and Sleep: God instituted rest as can be seen in Genesis 2:2 and not because God needed rest. He is all-powerful but He showed us that rest is needful. A good sleep is proper rest to the body. The Bible also says that Jesus fell asleep in the ship as related in Matthew 8:22-26 especially verse 22. God Himself slept.
The rat race for money or wealth has taken the place of rest and sleep in the lives of believers. And funny enough there is nothing to show for it at the end of the day, why? Because it is not how much time you put in but it is God who gives us power to make wealth.
Believers must take proper care of their bodies by exercise, rest, proper nutrition and avoiding damaging habits. Is it not said that prevention is better than cure?
In conclusion, your general lifestyle has a lot to do with your health. There is indeed a good relationship between good food and health as well as spirituality and health. Everything that we need to live healthy and live for Him, God has provided.
We can renew our minds and avoid all kinds of psychological problems, ailments and even death by our life style.
May God help us to take these things serious in Jesus Name, Amen.