The Importance of Healthy Habits Season 4 Episode 8

These seven healthy habits for the mind, heart and body can draw you closer to God, help you in times of trouble and bring more peace and joy into your life. #health #healthy #God #faith #relationships #healthyeating #exercise #biblereading #prayer #sleep

Transcript

How Do Healthy Habits Help?

Healthy habits are things we do daily that better our minds, hearts and bodies. These positive practices allow our spirits to permeate into the healthy, God-centered parts of us more and more until we become so spirit-filled that our joy, peace and growth are unshakeable. Healthy habits include the following: 

First, praying and listening to God allows us to give our cares and concerns to Him (1 Peter 5.7). We don’t need to carry the weight of people and situations that we can’t change, but as we pray to God about our worries, He can lift them from our minds as we trust Him to accomplish His goodwill in our lives (Philippians 2.13). Listening to God also helps us to be encouraged by His love and goodness, and to be prepared for the ups and downs with His unlimited provision (Ephesians 3.19)

Second, reading God’s Word, the Bible, and other faith-based Christian Resources can encourage, empower, heal and prosper us (Joshua 1.8). We have so many wonderful resources written by people who have perspectives that we can gain to destroy the pitfalls of the enemy and to attain greater authority as Children of God. Making a habit of reading daily matures our minds and hearts and aligns them to God’s thoughts through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2.16).

Third, cultivating mutually beneficial relationships can help us when times are low. Surrounding ourselves with positive people who love the Lord and who have healthy habits will rub off on us and motivate our own healthy habits (Proverbs 13.20). Plus, knowing people who will encourage and pray for us benefits our well-being and daily living (1 Thessalonians 5.11). We are the hands and feet of Jesus, and seeing Jesus in others gives life a meaningful purpose and our lives a higher calling. We want to emulate Jesus in all we do, and having those around us who have the same desire motivates us to please the Lord (Philippians 2.5).

Fourth, exercise not only keeps our bodies and hearts healthy, but it also keeps our minds sharp. Our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit. We want our bodies to thrive with energy and strength (1 Corinthians 6.19). It may seem strange that we have to expend energy to gain energy, but our bodies were wired to move and stay active. Our moods will instantly be uplifted after a great workout. A thirty-minute walk around the neighborhood while talking to God, listening to a Christian podcast or listening to  uplifting music can instantly give us a positive attitude.

Fifth, eating fruits and vegetables and a variety of whole foods fills our bodies with the nutrients and vitamins they desire (Daniel 1.12-16). Many times, we eat foods devoid of nutrients, and our hunger pains continue. Not because we are hungry, but our bodies are craving the rich qualities of foods that God created for us. There is nothing wrong with a snack or dessert now and then, but our customary diets should be rich with a variety of colorful and quality foods.

Sixth, sleep is sometimes underrated. However, we need quality sleep in order to process the previous day and be ready for the next day. Plus, God will talk to us in our dreams or in the quiet of the night when there is nothing to distract us (Zephaniah 3.17). He may even want us to pray to Him and listen, giving us valuable information we need for our lives (1 Samuel 3). Also, sleep refreshes our minds and our bodies, allowing us to heal, be still and feel rejuvenated. God wants those He loves to find sleep (Psalm 127.2). 

Seventh, self-care is taking time from our busy schedules of service to our marriages, families, callings and communities to focus on rest and replenishment (Hebrews 4.9-10). Walking along the beach or hiking in the foothills can be a therapeutic way to be in God’s beautiful country without the demands of daily living distracting us. Also, hobbies like fishing, golfing, cycling, antiquing, gardening, etc. allow our minds to be still, so creative thoughts can flow. We can praise God for all His blessings and offer thanksgiving for the world and lives He created for us (Jeremiah 6.16).  

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1.2 NIV).