Gerrie came into my office newly diagnosed with diabetes. During our previous consultations, I noticed a recurring pattern: Gerrie was determined to take control of her health and eat healthfully, but her family unintentionally sabotaged her efforts. Her husband brought home her favorite sweets, and her children often ordered pizza or fried chicken so she didn’t have to cook. Gerrie didn't want to hurt their feelings, so she ate what they brought home. She felt helpless in aligning her diet and lifestyle with what was best for her health. What could she do?
Many people believe genetic factors determine their quality of life, but in reality, our health depends on Ten Essentials for Health™ which can be broken down to basically two things:
1) What we put into our bodies, and
2) What we do with our bodies.
Therefore, when it comes to your health, YOU are the big factor in determining just how good of health you will have. The key to health lies in personal choice more than genetics. Each day, we decide how we live and therefore, ultimately, how we die. Although we can’t change past circumstances, we can choose to respond differently in the future and apply better health principles.
The Ten Essentials for Health™ can be gleaned from the first few chapters of the Bible. God desires to have a personal relationship with us, guiding us to make healthy decisions, while giving us the choice of free will. With His strength that is available to us, we can take responsibility for our health by cooperating with His Ten Essentials for Health™, allowing His prescribed lifestyle to protect and restore us. This holistic healing—body, mind, and spirit—is available to all who are willing to follow His saving health plan (Psalm 67:2 KJV).
Part of the healing process is looking beyond ourselves to help those more needy than ourselves, bringing new life and joy, and uplifting both the giver and receiver. That might be something as simple as calling someone and encouraging them. Isaiah 58:8 promises when we care for others, living God’s way, our “health will spring forth speedily.” (Check out the whole chapter as some quiet time before bed.)
Intemperance, or making unhealthy choices, is often the root cause of disease (Proverbs 26:2). However, God has given us a remedy: It is a conscious decision to cooperate with Him and His saving health plan. Others may help, angels of God and Christ may do their part, but unless we individually choose to take responsibility for our health and cooperate with God, health will continue to elude us.
However, the good news is, once we cooperate with God, using in moderation what is good, and avoiding what is harmful, applying the Ten Essentials for Health™, our journey of health will give Him praise, and the healing we receive step by step will not be just about restoring physical health but also about total transformation—a new mindset to move away from harmful habits to living in harmony with God’s Ten Essentials for Health™. As we break free from destructive behaviors, we can share our story and inspire others, partnering with Christ to achieve true temperance.
This power was evident in the story of my client Sandy, who overcame her addiction to alcohol through Christ’s strength. The same power is available to Gerrie. By cooperating with Jesus, she can find the courage to set boundaries with her family, explaining to them why this is important to support her health. If her family continues to bring home unhealthy foods, they will understand her decision to not eat them and choose something appropriate to support her goal. And Gerrie will no longer feel like she is the scapegoat for their habits.
Through cooperation with Jesus, we too can experience this power to make lasting changes in our lives. Why not commit today to cooperate with Christ in His healing ministry and start your journey toward health and healing that will bring praise and glory to Him? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Would you like some help learning how to put the Ten Essentials for Health™ together to experience your best health?
My health-embracing, disease-conquering Start a New YOU!® Program will help you put all Ten Essentials for Health™ together step by step so you can start doing the things you love to do again! Click the link to schedule a FREE 30-minute INTERVIEW to see if this is the right program for you.
Or call us today at
I look forward to working with you to establish your best health!
Blue Skies,
Dana West, RD, LD ACLMDIP
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