Open Air

“…I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.” Ezekiel 37:5

Daily open air is essential to maintaining health. Fresh air oxygenates the system, thus purifying the blood. Additionally, our lungs need a constant supply of fresh air in order to function properly. It is also essential for the immune system to receive proper air to strengthen its ability to ward off foreign substances such as disease.

Daily Exercise

“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it…” Genesis 2:15

Even before sin entered the world, God appointed man labor to prevent idleness, to see God’s beauty and as a means of exercise. Exercise is essential for proper stimulation of the lymphatic system, thus strengthening the body’s ability to resist and/or fight disease. Through exercise, production of white blood cells are increased significantly. Additionally, exercise increases metabolism, which assists nature to rid the system of unwanted waste. Further, exercising increases the amount of endorphins in our system, allowing us to feel good and help elevate our mood.

Sunlight

“And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men…To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men…and they were glad.” 1 Samuel 11:9

God has given us sunshine to make us happy! Sunshine serves many purposes for our bodies. It stimulates the immune system by increasing the oxygen supply to the skin. Sunshine also produces Vitamin D, which stimulates the liver, white blood cell count, alleviates pain, kills germs, elevates the mood, produces negative ions, develops healthy skin and aids in the elimination of waste.

Proper Rest

“…I should have slept: then had I been at rest.” Job 3:11

 The Bible associates “rest” with “peace and quietness”. When we enter into rest, all sense of hurriedness and confusion should leave. We should be in an environment conducive to proper rest of mind, soul, and body. The body needs a sufficient amount of rest to repair and restore the organs and functions of the body. Without proper rest, the systems of the body eventually break down, causing a lack of mental capabilities.

Lots of Water

“Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.” Ezekiel 4:11

The proper consumption of water is vital to our longevity and benefits our overall health. Water is one of the main components of the body, accounting for between 60-70%. It is, therefore, necessary for us to sufficiently supply our bodies with this most precious substance. Further, our cells need water, for without it they will die in a mere three days. Our body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to our organs. Water also transports oxygen to our cells, removes waste and protects our joints and organs. Blood is over 80% water, therefore a lack causes blood thickening. Without sufficient water, the body will pull water from the skin, liver, kidneys, colon, blood, bones or the brain. This can cause skin dryness, kidney stones, constipation, blood clotting, arthritis and headaches among other things.

One might be asking, how much water should I be drinking? An easy way to find out is by taking your weight and dividing it by 2. This gives you how many ounces of water your body requires per day. For example, if a person weighs 120 pounds, we would divide that by 2 to get 60. Therefore they should drink 60 ounces of water a day.

Water is also beneficial when used outside of the body, in the form of hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is the practice of using water externally for the treatment or prevention of sickness and disease. Cold water constricts the flow of blood while very warm water dilates, or opens up to increase the flow of blood. God has given us simple, natural remedies to care for our bodies since they were designed to heal itself.

Always Temperate

“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” 1 Corinthians 9:25

These scriptures teach us a wonderful lesson about temperance. Temperance is commonly defined simply as being moderate or exercising self-control in regards to diet. Though this certainly is a correct position to hold, temperance embodies more than mere diet. Temperance is a lifestyle. We are to be “temperate in all things” as the Scripture points out. This includes, but is not limited to: work, activities, recreation, rest, exercise, etc. Moreover, we are told that temperance is abstaining completely from all harmful toxins and keeping in moderation those things which are health-producing. Put plainly, we must free the body from all known toxins such as: alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, drugs, etc. and avoid the hurtful indulgence of any appetite or passion.

Nutrition

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat…and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.” Genesis 1:29, 3:18

God desires that we take care of the bodies which He has created. Therefore, from this verse, we see that God provides our first parents with the formula to maintain that which He has created. Let’s agree to trust that God knows what the best foods are to sustain these bodies for His glory. This plant-based diet consists of: fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables. Meat and dairy products are not a part of God’s original plan. God does not want to deprive us of things which are good for us. To the contrary, He has provided, in abundance, those foods in nature which are most healthful and nourishing. For without supplying our bodies with this proper nutrition, our cells will not be fortified with the nutrients necessary to carry out their duties. Proper nutrition is essential for healthy blood—leading to a healthy system. What we eat largely determines our overall health or lack thereof.

That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Ps 67:2