Health Benefits from Small, Consistent Changes

Last week I had my yearly physical where bloodwork was drawn and cholesterol, sugars, Triglycerides and all the other important things were checked. I always hold my breath when the results come into my email. I have a family history of high cholesterol, so it makes it extra difficult to get those numbers down. My doctor is sympathetic, but still lovingly firm about the fact that I must eat right and exercise.

I was overjoyed that though my numbers are still higher than “normal,” they dropped close to 40 points! Someone asked me how I did it. My answer was pensive. I stopped and thought about my intentional efforts.

1. We ate oatmeal more often for breakfast.
2. We have fish at least once a week, and most often it’s salmon.
3. We seldom eat fried foods.
4. We eat lean protein like ground turkey and chicken.
5. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always on hand.
6. We exercise regularly.

When I look back over my intentional efforts, they each seemed very small. There were no immediate results, but in time, it all added up and brought a desired outcome.

After reading my result letter, my mind went to a conversation I had recently with some friends. We were discussing reading God’s Word regularly. Some were saying how hard it was for them to be consistent and how they struggled to find the time. Like choosing to make the efforts to improve our physical health, Bible reading is a necessary part of our spiritual health. Without it your “numbers” will be all over the place! You’ll be high in anxiety, fear, discouragement and depression. You’ll be low in faith, trust and joy! If you’re struggling with your spiritual health, I encourage you to be intentional with a regular diet of God’s Word. Here are a few tips:

1. Ask God to give you a hunger for His Word.
2. Make it a priority in your day. Don’t wait until the evening when “everything else is done.” Do it first. Before you allow yourself to read anything, read the Bible.
3. Look for God’s character. What did you learn about Him? How do you see Christ in the passage?

A steady diet of the Bible isn’t a duty – it’s a critical step to your spiritual walk and health. At the end of a year you’ll look back and see an improvement in your worries, fears, and trust, and you won’t even know how it happened, only that you are so much stronger and closer to God because of it!

Refresh your spiritual health with God’s Word!