Healthy Habits-essential to good living
These past few days have reminded me that healthy habits are essential. When I am anxious or feel weighted down by anything, my body is the first to tell me. It usually starts with feeling a bit queasy, then eating less, eventually sleeping less. The signs become visible to those around me, and thankfully, I have dear and honest friends that ask the simple question….when did you eat last? What did you eat? How is your sleeping? Have you ever found yourself in this space? I did. Some of those dear friends interceded without request. One dear couple prayed over me and laid their hands on me reminding me that I need to care for myself-that I cannot be for others without maintaining my physical and mental strength. They reminded me that this is not my burden to carry, that God has already stepped in and I just need to let go. And just as importantly, they reminded me that any load I had to carry, they were there to help.
The very next morning, I received a call from a dear friend but not someone I talk to on a regular basis. He called from a great distance and reminded me of the same. He said I have walked in your shoes, and I know what happens when you become consumed and focus on others. You stop eating, you stop sleeping, you stop caring for yourself. How did he know? So, on my entire drive in to work, he prayed for me and with me. Two engagements from people whose only connection is me. That’s God.
No matter how hectic or crazy life is, I have committed to writing three times a week. I start each day on my knees in prayer before I do anything else. I begin my day with yoga and exercise and end my day the same, but in reverse. These are healthy habits. Regardless if I go to sleep at 2 in the morning and have the most hectic night, I wake up in the morning and rinse and repeat..healthy habits. These habits have and continue to keep me grounded. Little did I know, that I was being watched.
We have a dear “extended family” member staying with us, and she asked me if I worked out in the morning. When I told her that I do, every day-she looked surprised that I continued that habit even when I wasn’t sleeping well. I told her that it grounds me, healthy habits are essential to good living. We set the example even when we don’t know we are being watched.
But the healthy habits that are essential to good living, is not physical. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8, NIV) Everything we do, all the work, all the physical labor, all the healthy habits never outweigh the spiritual habits. What we do for our bodies here on earth will never be greater than what habits we keep in our spiritual life. These are what lead to everlasting life. So, although I may not have been eating well, or sleeping well, I began and ended each day in prayer to God. I prayed throughout the day, I had friends and loved ones speak prayers over me. No matter how weak my body may have seemed, my spirit never waivered…my body just needed a minute to catch up!
Today, I pray that when life feels overwhelming or you find yourself so focused on everything outside of yourself, that you take the time to maintain your spiritual discipline. God will get you through this. You will find noursihment and energy that surpasses explaining.
I pray these words spoke to you and that you share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog, subscribe to my web page.
