Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV)
Are you in debt with your health? Have you ever said to yourself “I’m not sick” or “I’m not over-weight” or “I’m healthy” “… so I will eat or not eat; and do or not do whatever I want?” Perhaps you have made this statement “I only drink one soda a day” or “I’m only on one medication, otherwise I’m healthy” or “I only eat out once a week.” We justify our poor behaviors by trying to minimize them with the infamous saying of “just one.”
Over the next few weeks, I am going to attempt to take the financial peace, being good stewards with our money, don’t go into debt etc. message and apply that same message/sermon to our health. When I hear debt management folks like Dave Ramsey, or pastors preach on being good stewards with our money (which I agree with all of these), I too often say you could take that exact same message and replace the words money with health, and it would preach the same – because it does.
I remember hearing Dave Ramsey say one time that we can “five dollar ourselves into debt when we shop at the ‘discount stores’” when we think to ourselves “oh, it’s only five dollars, I can afford it, I will buy it.” And the next thing you know your cart is filled with five-dollar items that total up to hundreds of dollars – hundreds of dollars that were way over your budget. But it was “only” five dollars. Just like it is “only” one soda.
Have You Put Your Health in Debt?
To quote my pastor from his annual stewardship sermon one week: “debt is spending tomorrows money, today.” Proverbs 22:7 says “the rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Are you being frivolous with your good health by not taking care of your body now? In the case of our health the “rich” are the corporate food manufacturers that make the fake food you consume on a daily basis. The “rich” is big pharma, selling you the lies that their drugs will cure you, when in fact all they are doing is managing your diseases. The “rich” are the insurance companies that profit when you are sick, not when you are healthy. The “rich” are the corporate hospital systems that are one of the cogs in this big money-making machine that makes YOU the borrower – literally and figuratively.
When we make statements like “it’s too expensive to eat healthy” we are in essence putting our health into debt – we are sacrificing our health we have today and paying for it big time tomorrow in the form of disease.
A poor health diagnosis didn’t just arise in the moment the symptoms started, or you decided to go to the doctor. Symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg; they are usually the last thing to show up telling us something is wrong with our health – that it is out of balance. And for some folks, even the symptoms are ignored when they first start. It’s not until the pain gets so bad that they decide to do something about it like going to the medical doctor.
We are also not victims of our poor health. Genetics are not to blame – genetics truly are a very small portion of the root cause of chronic degenerative diseases. Things don’t “just got me” either, as if you were an innocent bystander and some disease just jumped on you. The fact is, 80% or more of the chronic, degenerative diseases that most people are plagued with these days are caused by their poor lifestyle choices. And I will add that those poor lifestyle choices usually start with “it’s only just one.” Just like it’s only five dollars. All of these seemingly small poor lifestyle choices are cumulative and they add up, putting your health into “debt crisis.”
How to Stay Out of “Health Debt”
First know your “why”
Why should you even care, let alone prevent health debt? Let me give you some “food” for thought:
- Because you and your body were uniquely created by the Creator of creators – the Most High living God – God our Heavenly Father!
- Because Jesus took your sickness and disease to the cross when he died the most horrific death just for you. Why would you ask Him to do that over again? While yes, He took it to the cross once and for all, but by disregarding this selfless act of His, it’s like we are saying “it was no big deal that He did this for me.”
- Because you have a unique divine purpose and reason for being here on this earth. But you need strength, stamina, energy and clarity of mind in order to fulfill your purpose to the optimum.
- Because your body literally houses the holiest of holy’s – the Holy Spirit Himself. Let that sink in. Is your “house” messy and unhealthy filled with junk?
- Because your purpose isn’t for your benefit, but for the benefit of the Kingdom of God – the same God Who created you to begin with. You were bought with a price – the shed blood of Jesus Christ, your savior. The one, and only one Who can usher you into the Presence of God for eternity. Is this alone not worth staying out of “health debt?” To honor Him?
Set a Health Budget
Yes, a financial budget specifically for your health. But not just a set dollar amount, but a priority and discipline with your health as well. Determine the things you will not waiver on as it pertains to staying healthy or restoring your health. Be convicted of these things. We will talk more about how to do this next week.
In Summary
You have been given one body. And that body was created uniquely for you, by the God of the Heavenlies, for His purpose. The God, Jesus Christ, Who died a horrific death for you so that you not only can be healthy, but live for eternity in Heaven with Him when you surrender your life and your body to Him as Lord.
When you make poor lifestyle choices that affect your health as a health – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual – you are putting your body into health debt.
But… your health IS in your control. And it is empowering, and it is freedom when you take control of your health. Even if you are already in health debt – you CAN get out of it. And if you are still reasonably healthy, I implore you – don’t put yourself into health debt. Even if you are healthy but making poor lifestyle choices, you ARE on your way to health debt.
Stop the bad habits and choices now, repent, turn from those behaviors and start moving away from that debt. You won’t be sorry, I promise you! No one has ever gone to their grave at a ripe old, healthy age saying, “I wish I had made more poor lifestyle choices.” But I have no doubt there have been many people who have left this earth far too young because of poor lifestyle choices – they almost certainly would have wished they had not put their health into health debt and been able to live a longer, healthier life.
I give a whole presentation to show you how you can restore your body back to good health using natural approaches, wholistically.
go to : https://jackiemckool.com/schedule-jackie/
Want to Learn More About the Semantics that Can Deceive?
Pick up a copy of my book to learn more, as well as a whole lot more truths!
Order Here
Order your book & workbook today — in fact, invite a few friends to do the same and make it a book study with accountability!
Did You Miss These Most Recent Blog Posts?
“Does How We Spend Our Time Matter?”
“Our Time and Our Purpose”
“It’s a New Season, It’s a New Day!”
“Are You Spending Enough Time in Community?”
“Utilizing Our Time with the Gifts Given to Us”