Oghomwen (Owen) Jones
Let us start by making the decision to do ALL that we can to protect our health. It is a good and sensible decision to make because prevention of disease is less expensive, physically, financially and emotionally.
The physical cost of treatment can be far reaching. With major surgery the pain experienced can be excruciating. In extreme cases the treatment for disease can be life changing.
The treatment of disease often comes with a financial cost. Depending on where you live, medical care may not be the best and so treatment may involve significant travel to another state or even country. The costs incurred will be travel related, and often accommodation too. Another significant cost that can be borne is that of time off work…most employers have a cap on how long they will pay full wages, even for an employee who is off sick.
The emotional impact and cost of disease can be far reaching. Consider a patient who has to be treated away from home. The daily dynamics of family life can be significantly disrupted if for example, a sick spouse/parent has to travel leaving their husband/wife/children at home. This often arises because of commitments like employment/work, school and financial constraints. Let’s not forget that our family and friends play a significant role in supporting us through life experiences and especially through ailments and treatments.
Clearly there are various costs that arise as a result of disease. Let us adopt an intentional approach to prevent disease.
Now let’s take a look at what we can do to prevent disease. Simply put, we have a part in preventing disease. We cannot live it all to chance. The foods we eat, whether or not we exercise, how we deal with stress are all significant factors in staying well and keeping disease at bay.
We cannot eat mainly unhealthy foods and think that some exercise is sufficient to keep us healthy. I have found that my body responds best to exercise when I am eating well. Try it and see.
The foods that we eat play a more significant role in our health than does exercise. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying that exercise is not important. I am saying that it is fair to say that the ratio of nutrition and exercise required for good health is 80:20.
To be healthy, we must intentionally eat primarily nutrient-dense foods, in combination with moderate exercise. Moderation is key. Where there has been a previous life of little or no exercise, it is best to start with baby steps to avoid injury.
The way we handle stress is also very important, in our quest to be healthy. It is possible to eat healthy and exercise well, and yet suffer illness when stress/worry is not well managed. Scripture is very clear about avoiding stress. Let’s take a look.
Luke‬ â€12:25-26‬,31 TPT‬‬
Does worry add anything to your life? Can it add one more year, or even one day? So if worrying adds nothing, but actually subtracts from your life, why would you worry about God’s care of you?
As you passionately seek his kingdom, above all else, he will supply your needs.
1 Peter‬ â€5:7‬ â€TPT‬‬
Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.
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The Lord tells us to cast our cares on him. Have you noticed how painful your shoulder area can get when you worry rather than obey His instruction to cast your cares? I have. Thankfully thats all in the past now.
The saying ‘Prevention is better than cure’ may be seen by some as somewhat cliche, but so apt nonetheless. Remember always to manage stress/worry, as it chips away slowly at our health.
Remember we have lots to do…including fulfilling our unique purpose. This should be our number one priority.
I write about the merits of living healthy through our food choices, exercise, stress avoidance and much more in my book ’Moderation Is Key’. It’s available in soft and hardback, kindle and audio on Amazon. The audio copy is also available on iTunes.
Get your copy now.
