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Ten Biblical Principles To Live Longer
Song: 2. You deserve the glory and the honor, It is the will of God that you live long and live happily. For this reason we have prepared a list of ten biblical principles to help with putting off the inevitability of death for as long as possible. 1. Laugh more and have a cheerful disposition Research states that laughter may be beneficial to health. Laughing appears to boost the blood flow (by more than 20%) and researchers say it may reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Laughing has previously been found to help fight infections, relieve hay fever, ease pain and help control diabetes. So learn to laugh regularly and daily. Maintain a cheerful disposition because a gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders the individual uneasy to himself/herself and others. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). Medicines sometimes treat the symptoms while a merry heart may prevent the illness from ever occurring. A content and pleasant disposition protects one against disease; for the mind has a powerful influence over the body. If there are non-physical factors which cause disease, then there must be non-physical factors to cure it. The merry heart is the life of an individual and prolongation of his days. Inasmuch as the whole individual is involved in the prevention and cure of illness, then the emotions are included too. Both the Word of God and science teach us that a merry heart is good for one physically. “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13). A person’s face many times reflects what is in the heart. (affliction, worry or peace) “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15). A person who has a merry heart is much more enjoyable socially than the one who always displays a “poor me” attitude. We should sympathise with those who are in pain or grief. “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15, Proverbs 12:25). However, some think that sympathy and encouragement is a one way street - to them! Although there are times of sadness, sickness and sorrow, God does not intend for us to live a life of gloom and doom. This does not minimise life’s sorrows, but that a Christian, through the strength of God, has the ability to rise above life’s discouragements. Perhaps you know someone who battles sickness and discouragement seemingly every day – yet they have a cheerful disposition. Contrariwise, you may know someone who has little difficulties, yet always seem to never be happy or cheerful. In fact they seem to enjoy their sorrow!!! 2 . Eat Healthily I know that when it comes to eating healthily, some of us can really get confused on what we should and shouldn’t eat especially if you're ‘dieting’. For me it is a question of moderation because too much of everything is bad and your age (and indeed individual circumstance) can also be a contributing factor to what you should and shouldn’t eat; and even eating the right amount of food. Eating Right in a World Gone Wrong! God's laws are intended to bless and benefit his people spiritually, physically and socially. Not morally bound to follow, but is it wise to ignore them? God desires our health even in a fallen world. God promised good health to the Jewish people: "If you will listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what he considers right, if you pay attention to his commands and obey all his laws, I will never make you suffer any of the diseases I made the Egyptians suffer, because I am the Lord who heals you." (Exodus 15:26). Eat more fruit and vegetables: Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, and prevent some types of cancer. It is recommended to eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. I was blessed by the visit of a Pastor friend - Austin Ogedegbe a few months ago and he emphasised on the need to eat more vegetables. Since then, I have now made it a regular portion of my meal. Eat more garlic: Garlic has been referred to as ‘nature’s antibiotic’. It is a powerful cleanser of the body and regular ingestion promotes a healthy heart and circulation by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It also helps fight infection and can boost immunity. Those who don’t like the taste of garlic should try the odourless supplements that are available. Drink tea: Many bodies of research support the view that tea is good for your health. Scientists tend to agree that tea, both black and green, may contribute positively to the promotion of health and the prevention of chronic disease. Recent research studies reveal the antioxidants in tea may inhibit the growth of cancer cells, support dental health, increase bone density, strengthen cardiovascular health and decrease the risk heart attack. Drink red wine: Hmm, grey area I think for some Christians especially those who belong to the same camp of the teetotal ( of, relating to, or practising abstinence from alcoholic drink) like me. Studies show that regular intake of small amount of red wine have certain health benefits by protecting against certain cancers and heart disease, and can have a positive effect on cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Excessive or binge drinking, however, unfortunately doesn’t produce the same benefits. But I haven’t tried it yet. Paul advised his ‘Son’ Timothy: ‘Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.’ (1 Timothy 5:23). God hereby commands believers to use all due means for preserving health. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake. I suppose the thought of Timothy's trials called to mind a sense of his physical condition. Hence, he gives a medical prescription. The water of that region is not good. The writer well remembers a fearfully sick day that he passed at Ephesus in 1889, due to the water. Paul, hence, advises that instead, he try the light wines, with only the smallest percentage of alcohol. Drink more water: Most people are unaware that the recommendation is that the average person should drink around eight glasses of water a day. The human body is made up of between 55 and 75% water, and is in need of constant water replenishment. An increased intake of water will greatly enhance digestion‚ nutrient absorption‚ skin hydration‚ detoxification and virtually every aspect of better health. In summary, eat moderately and healthily. You should eat less fatty foods. 3. No smoking and excessive drinking Everyone is aware of the potential catastrophic effect of smoking. It is better not to start at all, but the sooner a smoker quits the better. Because the damage caused by smoking is cumulative, the longer a person smokes the greater the risk of developing a smoking-related disease, such as lung cancer or heart disease. Quitting not only saves money, but also has added health benefits. Within one year after quitting, the risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker, and within ten years, the risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. So many people die every day as a result of smoking. There are so many tobacco packaging warning messages used in different countries such as: Smoking kills Smoking can kill Smoking seriously harms you and others around you Smokers die younger Smoking blocks the arteries and causing heart infarction or cerebral hemorrhage Smoking causes lung cancer Protect children: do not let them breathe your smoke Leaving smoking reduces the risk of deadly heart disease and lung Although they have been implemented in an effort to enhance the public's awareness of the harmful effects of smoking, but they seem rather subtle and often ignored by the people. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and not with alcohol: (Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 20:1, Romans 13:13). 4. Regular self examination Don’t forget that doctors and other health practitioners are there for our own good. I was in a church programme one day and one of the leaders was discouraging frequent visits to GP/doctors; he said people at every slightest headache run to see the GP/doctor. While what he really meant was the need to pray for healing inasmuch as one visits the doctor but his teaching was incomplete and very misleading. By the way, some headache can be dangerous! For women this means regularly examining their breasts, and while breast cancer is not unknown among men, males should regularly check their testicles for lumps. It is important to get to know how your body parts normally feel and look, and report any changes, such as a lump, to your doctor. More often than not, lumps prove to be benign, and these types of cancer are usually curable if they're caught early enough. Have regular smears/prostate tests : Women will usually be called once every three years for a smear test, and should make sure they attend when requested (obviously this varies from country to country). Cervical screening prevents many deaths in the world today. Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men and is second only to lung cancer as the biggest cancer killer. There are varying viewpoints about how often men should have a test and at what age. Testing should start at the age of 50 even at the age of 40. However, if you have any concerns go and visit your doctor. Monitor your toilet behaviour: Any dramatic change in bowel habits such as an increase in constipation, or passing blood should be referred to a doctor immediately. It could prove be something as simple as piles (haemorrhoids), or worse case scenario could be bowel cancer, which is important to discover as early as possible. You own your body and be quick to report sudden and abnormal changes to your doctor! Remember not seeing the doctor does not make you more spiritual and you might just be living in pride that will eventually ruin your life and ministry. 5. Adjust sleeping time and learn to relax Life expectancy may be reduced by sleeping longer than necessary (up to eight hours is enough and less than four hours is inadequate). But in summary, get the right amount of sleep and your ‘body’ will tell you when you’ve rested enough. Sleeplessness is bad for your health just like too much of sleep. Psalm 127:2 – ‘… the Lordgiveth his beloved sleep.’ Proverbs 3:24 – ‘When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.’ Relaxation reduces blood pressure and helps reduce stress-related conditions such as depression. A large percentage of most physicians’ practices are made up of patients whose illnesses are directly or indirectly the result of emotional stress. Stress often reduces a person’s ability to fight off infections. The brain, where all the emotional stress is processed, is the control centre of the entire body. From the brain millions of nerve fibers course out to every organ in the body. Chemical released from these nerve fibers control or influence every chemical reaction in every organ of the body. Because our health is dependent on the proper balance of all these chemical reactions, it is no wonder that emotional upset in our brains can disrupt chemical reactions in a far-removed organ and cause disease. This is not to say that every sickness or illness is the result of faulty thinking or stress. There are going to be times of stress and sadness in our lives. Right thinking does not keep bad things from happening unto us. However, right thinking does help cope with the tragedies that do come. 6. Exercise more Exercise is known to reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity. It keeps joints, tendons and ligaments flexible, and contributes to mental well-being by helping treat depression, relive stressand anxiety. Exercise also aids better sleep. Even if you are pushed for time, exercise could be gained simply by walking up stairs rather than taking the lift, or even try walking or cycling on shorter journeys rather than taking the car. Exercise is very important. There are many disorders that can be neutralised by lots of vigorous exercise. As exercise is increased, degenerative diseases of all kinds are decreased, life span is extended, various minor infections such as colds are reduced and perhaps best of all, the quality of life is significantly enhanced. For me, I think as I grow older, I tend to be a lot ‘busier’ with too many things: my day job, ministry, family commitments and constant reading and preparation for professional exams. I think my type of profession might not be helping matters, in any case, I’m increasingly getting conscious of the need to spare time and do some exercise if I must stay fit. God will help me and you too. 7. Have a happy marriage Walk in love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 7-8 Husbands and wives, I want you to know that walking in love with one another is the bottom line to a good marriage. The old saying, “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander” applies in marriage. To have a happy home, you both must develop a habit of walking in the love of God. It is what will cause your marriage to be blessed. It is what will cause you to have a good life—a life worth living. God desires for your life and marriage to be like days of heaven on earth (Deuteronomy 11:21). And that is possible when you do things God’s way and obey His commands. Husbands and wives must come into agreement about the way they want to live their lives. I know it is easier to walk out of a troubled marriage than to remain in it, but ultimately, the need for sacrifice and commitment is inevitable. You both must be committed and have a desire to outdo each other in love and kindness. You must be adaptable in marriage! - Ephesians 5:21-22 This is another key to developing a great marriage. Husband and wife are very different when they first married, and they must learn how to be subject to one another. In other words, they both have to do whatever it will take to have a happy marriage! Adaptability is not something that’s learned overnight. It is a journey of lifetime. Make it a point to be adaptable. Be willing to submit to one another. It’s part of your love walk. It’s part of a happy marriage. And I think women should learn to be ‘highly submissive’ especially in this day and age. I’m not advocating that a wife should submit to a husband who beats her, cheats her and abuses the children, or anything of that nature. I’m talking about submitting as a give-and-take attitude in everyday life. Such a husband and indeed the entire marriage need a rethink. A decisive action is needed to tackle the problem of unfaithfulness in marriage. I’ll recommend some serious counselling section with a God-fearing counsellor and hopefully a solution can be found for the unfaithful husband and even wife. To improve your marriage and your life, husbands and wives must take the Word of God literally and actually do what it says. Both must be Spirit-filled Christians. Both must be genuinely born again and changed on the inside. The marriage will remain selfish, miserable and defeated if you do not begin to take the Word literally and apply it to your lives. Create quality time for pleasure - 1 Corinthians 7:5 Good quality time for pleasure reduces stress, leads to greater contentment and better sleep. Husband and wife must however agree together if they must avoid pleasure for a while that they may better give themselves to prayer and other spiritual activities. 8. Get more friends Research suggests that friends help people live longer. Socialising with friends is beneficial. Good friends will promise to be there for you, and their presence can actually help you live longer, researchers say. Scientists said having friends and caring relatives in old age can do more for life expectancy. Friends encourage people to look after their health, and help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety at difficult times. My advice is: in friendship, do not be selfish and arrogant. Let it be a mutually beneficial relationship. The relationship must be holy and honest! (Philippians 2:5-8, Romans 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:33). “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9) . As when someone is alone, he/she can neither help himself/herself nor others, we should all live in mutual society to the intent that we may be profitable one to another, and that things may increase. 9. Be optimistic People with a positive outlook on life can actually live longer compared with those who leaned more towards pessimism. Some people are a joy to be around because of their optimistic outlook on life, while others are avoided because of their continual pessimism. “ We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). “Be joyful in hope and patient in affliction.” (Romans 12:12). Someone observed: “You are not what you think you are, but you are what you think.” One should consider the importance of right thinking. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee” (Proverbs 23:7). “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). All our emotions have their proper place. However, these negative emotions should not dominate our lives. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” ( John 16:33 ). Paul was always optimistic in Christ: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). 10. Change job/career It’s been proved that a change of job and/or career can also enhance your longevity. So do not get stuck! I know times may be hard in this current climate but then keep the options open and try to remain flexible. Surrender your job and career to God. Conclusion: Are you living with any form of terminal illness? Have you been diagnosed with a serious medical condition? You must however remain hopeful till the end. We serve a God that can do all things and ultimately He’s taking you to heaven: a place where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). Your life is a gift from God; how you live it is your gift to Him and ensuing generations. Whatever you'd like to accomplish in your life, do it today. Don't put it off. Remember you will not live forever. You're on a temporary visa; never forget that! Weigh your actions and your decisions in the light of your ultimate destiny, not your immediate comfort. Get rid of the idea that 'thoughts of heaven are only the pleasantries of the aging.' This life is the short story; heaven is the unending one. (Philippians 3:20).
God bless you Pastor JB. Oseh |