I
recently read a medical report, which stated that research in neuroscience over
a period of 30 years showed that the brain and gut are the control centers for
our healthy/unhealthy reactions to life. You have heard of psychosomatic
illnesses, right?
They
are produced by the brain, rather than by any infection in the body. In fact, scientists
agree that our thoughts, words, actions, emotions and experiences can actually change
the structure of our brain.
Many
scientific and medical studies prove the power of positive thinking. We can
actually change the activity of our brain and its effect on our life by
focusing on the blessings from the Lord, rather than on the negative aspects of
our circumstances (Philippians 4:8).
We
can improve our health in several ways:
1. Mental: Focusing on
the positive
2. Emotional:
Understanding and validating our emotional responses to life, and then finding
something positive in negative experiences.
3. Intellectual:
Learning something new - a skill or hobby, taking classes at the local college,
joining a book club, etc.
4. Physical: Developing
clean eating practices and finding a Functional Medical Doctor to help us care
for our body.
5. Social: Developing
positive friendships with people who share our convictions and encourage our
strengths.
6. Vocational: Working
in a positive environment that we enjoy.
7. Spiritual: Having
daily devotion times, reading and practicing God's Word, worshipping and
fellowshipping with authentic Believers who share our convictions, and walking
in the Holy Spirit's guidance each moment of the day.
These
practices will improve our health in body, soul and spirit; give us a longer
life devoid of many illnesses that will otherwise attack our body; and give us
more joy and peace in life. I pray that you too will enjoy health and long
life.
Prayer:
Father
God, remind us that focusing on Biblical Truth can actually change our whole
personality. As a melancholy, I still enjoy the positive, creative aspects of
our predilection, and I still experience triggers of depression and
despondency; yet, Your Spirit exchanged many of my negative character traits
with Your spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:23).
You
want to perform this same transformation and reformation in every life that
trusts You with all of their heart. Responding to life - either positively or
negatively - will affect our health and well-being. Help us to focus on Your
Kingdom first and foremost, and to rely on You during the trials in our life.
We praise You with every fiber of our being.
Thought
for the Day:
Our
reactions to our circumstances and to the people in our life can actually
shorten our life, as is proven by those who choose to will themselves to die;
yet, as we trust in the Lord with our whole heart, refuse to rely on our human
thought processes and understanding, to draw nearer to God each and every day, and
to resist satanic warfare that attempts to thwart God's blessings in our life, then
our Heavenly Father reveals His plans to us, and gives us His power, wisdom and
strength to walk in His ways.
