Mysty PfefferWeek five’s STRENGTH Approach to Christian Wellness theme is one of hope. It is also one of setting a date to release desires for worldly things to God.
Let’s face it, we are focused on numbers. It doesn’t matter if the number relates to our bank account, retirement plan, grocery bill, or the number on a scale, our minds associate success with numbers.
They are also important for helping people control their blood pressure and blood sugar. Numbers on lab results identify problems inhibiting abundant life. Things like chronic kidney disease, heart disease. and autoimmune disease benefit from attention to numbers.
I get it, because I’ve seen the results dash the hopes and livelihoods of hundreds of people over the years! And I don’t want that to be me and you.
Although we cannot prolong our lives any longer than they were determined by God, we can choose items that give us live life to the fullest.
A circumstance Jesus wants for us (John 10:10). Adjusting our attitude towards others in love is a start. Reducing chronic pain with fruits and vegetables, and not relying on processed food is another.
We have the scientific research at our fingertips on how we view life and what we eat affects us mentally and physically.
Scientific Facts
“The new field of nutritional psychiatry provides evidence for diet quality as a modifiable risk factor for mental illnesses.” (1)
“Meta-analyses of observational studies have shown that a healthy diet and Mediterranean diet are associated with lower risk of depression. People with mental illness have been identified as having poorer diet and other lifestyle behaviors that impact health, and less understanding of the impact of lifestyle behaviors on health (2)
Refined sugar and white flour carbohydrates increase chances for heart disease while whole grain, high fiber foods are protective. Saturated fat is not the cause after all (3).
Individuals with a stronger network have better heart health, neurological, endocrine, and immune function than less supported individuals, thus lowering disease risks and extending long-term health. (4)
We are Better Together and Embracing God’s Plan in the Garden
Moreover, consuming more whole grains, beans, and eating less meat; will provide substantial protein and fiber to remove toxins from the body. The toxins create free radicals that are damaging to cells and contribute to disease, anxiety, and pain. The results of which alter mental stability, and lab values.
Heads up! Something is wrong when our culture accepts altered food bathed in unrecognizable preservatives as nurturing to our bodies! We also fall for the lure and lies of material possessions for satisfaction.
Therefore, numbering the days of reliance on comfort food, material items, gossip, getting even, or whatever is hindering vitality and life will bring new life to the hope within.
More importantly, don’t let lasting change intimidate you. It may mean taking baby steps to get where you want to be and not changing everything at once. I can help you with this in individual Wellness Coaching, since I’ve seen it multiple times and battle it myself.
A point of hope to remember is King Hezekiah. When he was sick and dying, he pleaded with the Lord and the Lord gave him fifteen more years (2 Kings 20). I imagine as the leader of a nation; he had a great deal of stress and his own struggles with lifestyle choices.
However, Hezekiah’s feeling of hopelessness brought him to complete surrender. The same place repeated failures bring you and me. But glory to God! His plea to God brought him through, and it will bring you and I through times of difficult change too.
Remember, God is faithful, and He gives us the strength. His love enables us to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). I am with you too and will pray for you! Just leave me a comment or contact me for a free consult.
References:
Marx, W., Moseley, G., Berk, M., & Jacka, F. (2017). Nutritional psychiatry: The present state of the evidence. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76(4), 427-436. doi:10.1017/S0029665117002026
Natalie Parletta, Dorota Zarnowiecki, Jihyun Cho, Amy Wilson, Svetlana Bogomolova, Anthony Villani, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Theo Niyonsenga, Sarah Blunden, Barbara Meyer, Leonie Segal, Bernhard T. Baune & Kerin O’Dea (2019) A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED), Nutritional Neuroscience, 22:7, 474-487, DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2017.1411320
Fat, Sugar, Whole Grains and Heart Disease: 50 Years of Confusion (nih.gov)
Temple N. J. (2018). Fat, Sugar, Whole Grains and Heart Disease: 50 Years of Confusion. Nutrients, 10(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10010039
Shrout, Rose M. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA b Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA Received 12 May 2021, Revised 3 August 2021, Accepted 9 August 2021, Available online 13 August 2021, Version of Record 24 August 2021.
