God says in His word in Revelation 3:16 ~
“So then because thou art lukewarm,
and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
This is a principle that can apply so often to many areas of our life. We need to not be lukewarm in our walk with God, our relationships with people, our habits, or our choices… just do the math. For the sake of this column I am limiting my focus to being lukewarm with our health. This principle has an application here, too.
As I have said in previous articles, there are some health issues that befall us (hereditary problems, accidents, etc). More often then not, we choose our own health issues. It can be chosen by poor habits, foolish choices, stubborn attitudes or ignorance.
If your health is not optimal, take an honest evaluation: Are you open to change or ideas you haven’t considered? Are you willing to pay a cost (not just monetary )? Are you doing the same things, but expecting different results? Are you sticking to traditions of your family as “rightness” ignoring possible SOLUTIONS? Have you given up? Is this not just other ways to express lukewarm attitudes?
I am not advocating coldness to your health! I would like to encourage you to choose a hot attitude.
Let’s look at the basics. The things to build your health.
I liken this to “cleaning up the dump,” with the dump being our body and the rats being health issues. Often people throw pills at rats… fighting rats… red rats, blue rats, green rats and the fight never ends. If effort is placed on cleaning up the dump, the rats leave on their own.
The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. – Thomas Edison
Here is the problem. We are lazy critters by nature and move to the path of least resistance. This is not going to produce the success we desire. Some people put more care into their cars than their bodies!
Let’s start with a big one.
Yes, what we eat and how much we eat is important, but it is one component of total health, not the ONLY component. The most important principle in eating is to do so. So many ladies and girls do NOT eat enough. The pattern is one of starving themselves and then not feeding on nutritious food. Empty calories (junk) will leave you hungry and mess up all sorts of systems – especially hormonal (insulin, female, and adrenal).
There are many thoughts out there on healthy eating. Sometimes budget, parental shopping, and pickiness, can limit what you can do. Make the wisest choices you can. Sufficed to say, the closest to whole food you get, the better. If you can look at it and say this is a/an apple, fish, lettuce leaf… you’re good. If you say, “red dye number 3 or disodium glutamate” …that’s bad.
Also, do the math on how many calories you need based on your activity level. Space those calories out and don’t eat them all at 9 o’clock at night. 🙂
Exercise can be a new habit for some.
We live in a physically easy time. Unless you are walking to the store and bringing your water 
from the well, you are not going to be naturally active enough to be healthy. Just as you eat everyday, you must exercise everyday. If you are in a season of life when it is an impossibility, I am not throwing stones. My desire is to encourage you and give instruction not tear you down. Find something you enjoy – it makes it easier. If you hate everything, then buck it up! Start by making a commitment, no matter how small and keep it. Build from there.
from the well, you are not going to be naturally active enough to be healthy. Just as you eat everyday, you must exercise everyday. If you are in a season of life when it is an impossibility, I am not throwing stones. My desire is to encourage you and give instruction not tear you down. Find something you enjoy – it makes it easier. If you hate everything, then buck it up! Start by making a commitment, no matter how small and keep it. Build from there.My father was a great example of this. He was morbidly obese. He made a commitment to put on the sweat suit and stand in the street for 5 minutes everyday. If he ran, great! If he just stood there, that was fine, too. From that humble beginning he went on to run marathon after marathon! Start where you are.
Rest is always overlooked.
Be realistic and not lazy. It is a balance. Although in my mind I am opposed to naps for grown ups and the non-ill, if you only get two hours of sleep, perhaps a nap may be in order. If you are up too late at night, the only real solution that I have found is biting the bullet for about three weeks and waking up early and not napping until your clock is reset. Unless you are ill, you don’t need double digit hours sleep. Sorry. 🙂
We all deal with stress.
If you carry too much stress, please give it to the Lord! He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. We may not always have other people to lean on but if you are His, you have Him. Take heart!
I am a chiropractor so I also must mention that spinal and frame misalignment can cause a host of problems. Abnormal wear and tear do that to a body. Not to mention the nerves (our body’s communication channels) that are compromised.
There are extensive areas to add to your physical care – detoxing, vitamins, massage, etc. But if you do not have the basics down, start there. I am not sure where I heard the expression, but “major on the majors” is a good motto. Lukewarm or half-hearted effort is not majoring on anything. It is usually inconsistent, ineffective and not producing the success you desire.
Sometimes, when you are setting up a new pattern for your health, it takes effort until it becomes your new “normal.” Really not sometimes, but all the time! This effort will be fought by your flesh, your opinions, your friends, and even your family because at sometime this new way may step on toes.
It will not be convenient. It will not be easy. Dig in your heals. Get ready for battle. You can do it! God tells us to be strong and of good courage. Ask for His help… His wisdom. Be engaged and get in there.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; – Colossians 3:23
Joyfully serving her Saviour in her blessed position of wife and mother, Dr. Michelle Zarrillo has a unique perspective on health related issues. As a working chiropractor and an avid reader, she has many opportunities to practice that which she learns. Educating her children at home and discovering their special needs has further challenged her to examine the connection between the physical, mental and spiritual realms of the human nature. Her passion for healthier living and her quest for the Creator’s ways of healing keep her pressing forward in search of truth.
Read Michelle’s salvation testimony here and her articles here.
Comments 4
Loved your article Michelle. Focused and a real challenge spoken in love. Thanks for taking the time to write/share!
Hi Gayle. It’s so nice to hear from you! Thank you for the kind comment!
Hello Michelle,
Read your post and always get inspired. Keep pushing for healthy alternatives. My doctor here says eat “real” food!
Wish you were here or I was there to get an adjustment. I really need you! God bless you and your family.
Hi Skipper! I wish you were here too. I would love to see you. 🙂