How good health practices can lead to abundant life

Editor’s Note: Below is a transcript of a message, posted to YouTube on December 9, 2021, from Adventist Church President Ted NC Wilson. You can see past messages here

Hello friends! Over the past two years, as the COVID pandemic has swept the world, people have become more health conscious and have looked for ways to improve and maintain good health.

Sadly, sickness, sickness, and death are a part of life in this fallen world, and ultimately, unless the Lord comes in our lifetime, we will all face death one day.

However, Jesus said, as recorded in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly. Jesus aspires not only to give us eternal life, but also to give us abundant life here on earth.

The very first chapter of the magnificent book, The Ministry of Healing, opens with these words: “Our Lord Jesus Christ came into this world as the tireless servant of man’s need. could serve all the needs of mankind. . . The burden of sickness and misery and sin, He’s come to take away. It was His mission to bring men a complete restoration; .17).

While on earth, Jesus healed many illnesses, and in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy he gave us many tips on how to live healthy lives. While studies have shown that Seventh-day Adventists tend to live at least 7 years longer than the average population, we aim not only for quantity of years, but also for quality! We seek that abundant life that Christ came to give us, not only for ourselves, but in this way we will be able to do the work that he called us to do.

So, for the next few minutes, let’s take a quick look at some of the health habits God has given us through his inspired writings.

When we think of health, it’s important to remember that God created us as holistic beings – mind, body, and spirit are interdependent, and the way we treat one affects all. others. Having a clear mind, for example, helps us have a healthy body. This is why we are told to stay away from harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco, street drugs and caffeine.

Unfortunately, many people like to drink caffeinated beverages for short-term relief from fatigue or drowsiness, but that does not solve the fatigue problem. In fact, it can lead to or worsen other health problems, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, restlessness, osteoporosis, headaches, etc.

Rather than drinking harmful substances, what could be better than drinking fresh, pure water! Did you know that water makes up around 60 to 70 percent of your body weight ?! Every system in your body depends on water, so it is very important to drink plenty of water throughout the day. The ideal amount of water will vary depending on individual circumstances, such as a person’s weight, activity level, and climate. However, a good rule of thumb is to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day.

Exercise, preferably in the sun and fresh air, is one of the most important things we can do to gain and maintain good health! Here are some of the many benefits of exercise: lower risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, lower risk of many cancers, better bone health, better quality of sleep, reduced symptoms of depression and better cognitive function, healthier body weight, healthier skin, less flu and fewer colds, and much more!

And while we all recognize that exercise is important, sometimes it is difficult to fit exercise into our busy lives. One thing I love to do is walk in the morning listening to inspired material, like the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy.

It’s important to find a type of exercise that you enjoy doing, and then try to do it at the same time each day. But to be really beneficial, I encourage you to lead an active lifestyle, incorporating as much movement as possible throughout the day.

The food we put in our bodies has a huge impact on our overall health, and the Bible encourages a balanced plant-based diet consisting of grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and legumes. Numerous studies confirm that a plant-based diet is much healthier and safer than eating meat. Here are some results of these studies:

• Vegetarians were 24% less likely to die from coronary heart disease than non-vegetarians.
• A study in Japan showed that women who eat meat daily are 8 1/2 times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who rarely or never eat meat.
• Studies in England and Germany have shown that vegetarians were around 40 percent less likely to develop cancer compared to meat eaters.
• Those who ate “white meat”, especially chicken, are about 3 times more likely to develop colon cancer than vegetarians.
• No wonder Ellen White wrote over 100 years ago that “Many die from diseases entirely due to eating meat, when the real cause is not suspected by themselves or by others” ( The Ministry of Healing, p. 315).

Friends, I want to encourage you, if you haven’t already, to prayerfully consider adopting a healthy, balanced, plant-based diet. There are plenty of resources available online for delicious recipes and menu plans, and I think you’ll be surprised how great you feel!

Getting enough regular rest is essential for good health. Doctors recommend a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Without enough rest, we are at risk of facing a number of health issues including obesity, diabetes, reduced immune response, mood disturbances, increased risk of injury, and impaired function. mental. So let’s make sure we make sleep a priority.

And in addition to the nightly rest, it is also important to practice the weekly God-given rest provided for the seventh-day Sabbath. It’s a very special time to refresh and rejuvenate from the work of the week as we worship our Creator and connect with our friends and family. Take time to enjoy the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual rest that God provides on His Sabbath day.

And finally, we are invited to trust in divine power. Studies show that those who have a strong relationship with God experience less stress in their lives, have lower blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease, and reduced incidents of depression. No wonder Jesus invites us to, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light “(Matthew 11: 28-30).

My friends, Jesus provided a way to have a more abundant life here on earth, and in the future life an amazing eternity with Him! I invite you to claim His promises and His power now as you practice these wonderful health principles the Lord has provided to us. If you would like more information on healthy living I invite you to visit: adventist.org/health/

Let’s pray together. Heavenly Father, please guide everyone as they consider these beautiful principles of health to keep them healthy and strong to keep their minds in good condition, so that they can be in touch with you. So that the Holy Spirit can influence the frontal lobes of our brain and guide us in all the decisions we need to make. And in our relationships with others, helping them come to know this wonderful, wonderful God who is not only our Creator, but our Savior, our Redeemer, and our coming King. Thank you Lord for hearing us in this prayer. Help us take seriously a wonderful promise that you want us to live life in abundance, in all its aspects physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. We ask all this In the name of our mighty Savior, our Creator, our Master Physician and our future King Jesus Christ, amen.