Freedom! Set Yourself Free with a Healthy Lifestyle

What does freedom mean to you? Freedom from colonial rule? Free from fear? Free to express yourself?

To me, freedom has many meanings. One of them is the freedom to choose food. That does not mean I am free to taste whatever I want as I please, but that I can determine the best food for my body. Eating what I like less and avoiding what I like for one purpose: a healthy lifestyle. The healthier a person's body is, the greater the probability of a long life. Unless, of course, there are other factors beyond our control.

Christians often fixate on a phrase in Psalms, that a person's life is only 70 years, and if strong, 80 years (Psalm 90:10). Armed with this belief, many of us already feel old, powerless, no longer in our productive season, even in our forties.

On the other hand, in Genesis 6:3, God says, “A person's life shall be only 120 years.” God never determined that human life is only 70-80 years. Moses' statement about age was an expression of his feelings through prayer, as he went through many struggles on the way to the Promised Land. Moses himself fulfilled God's word by dying at the age of 120 (Deuteronomy 34:7).

On the other hand, life expectancy in Indonesia is close to Moses' statement, namely 71.7 years. However, that does not mean we as Christians must agree with that data. Once we enter our seventies, we then think, “That's enough, don't do anything strange. Just sit quietly and wait for death to come.”

That way of thinking does not apply to a handful of people who remain productive in old age. Just look at Bill Gates, who is still actively working in his sixties. Or Bambang Hartono, who contributed a bronze medal in the sport of bridge at the 2018 ASEAN Games at the age of 78. They remain productive without worrying too much about age.

Let each of us examine ourselves. Are we among those who always feel old? Then, in our forties, do we start thinking about stopping ministry and resting?

How can the principle “life begins at forty” not be reversed into “life ends at forty”?

A healthy lifestyle = spiritual discipline

God sees human beings, His creation, as very good, because we were created in His image and likeness (Gen 1:31). Even more wonderfully, the Holy Spirit is willing to dwell within human beings. (1 Cor 3:16).

Now, if the Lord of the universe lives within us, should we not take our bodies even more seriously? Not merely keeping them holy, but also maintaining their health. A healthy lifestyle is our expression of gratitude and appreciation to the Master of the house.

“For no one ever hates his own body, but nourishes and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church.” (Eph 5:29)

By becoming followers of Christ, we align our lives with God's order and discipline. He likes His disciples to live orderly lives (2 Thess 3:11). In this matter, a healthy lifestyle does too.

However, those who work in big cities often find it difficult to practice. Spending the whole day sitting in front of a computer, plus hours of stress stuck in traffic on the way home from work. Sleeping late, waking before dawn. No time to exercise, let alone consume healthy food.

A disorderly lifestyle is bad for health. Poor digestion, fat buildup, and less-than-optimal disposal of toxins gradually interfere with the performance of the body's organs. One indicator is weight gain. The opinion that “it's okay to be fat, as long as you're healthy” is clearly mistaken. Like even the most sophisticated car, if it is continuously burdened beyond capacity, it will quickly break down.

When the body experiences overload, let alone reaching souls, we even miss worship because we are constantly sick. Moreover, how can we convince people to follow Christ if we ourselves are not disciplined? The heroes of the past risked their lives for the freedom of this nation. Why is it so hard for us, heroes of faith, to restrain our desires for the sake of our own health?

It is only fitting for Jesus' disciples to learn to discipline themselves. We need to learn to love the process. Do not be obsessed with results. We want to be healthy and slim, but we do not measure our portions and the quality of our nutrition. Instead, we turn to 'lazy' diet methods. Relying on products whose safety standards are not guaranteed. Rather than succeeding, the list of illnesses only grows longer.

Involve God in the effort to build a healthy life

If God is the Occupant, even the Master of our body, then involve Him in the effort to live a healthy lifestyle. In God, we can find wisdom, as well as strong resolve to change bad habits. Practice a healthy lifestyle not only periodically, but for a lifetime. In that way, our motivation is lasting, not emotional or dependent on our mood. Surely we will not be easily tempted by laziness and indiscipline, even when our environment is unsupportive. Because our final goal is God, not ourselves.

Consider these steps for a healthy lifestyle for warriors of faith:

1. Plant this mindset: I am still young!

The first step in building a healthy lifestyle is changing your mindset. Instill this conviction: “I am still young, still strong enough to work and still dependable.” The right will produce the right behavior.

It is never too late to change. Whatever our age now, we can make improvements. Do not ignore your body's alarms: feeling unwell, catching chills, headaches, aches and pains, and so on. It is time to be observant and sensitive to physical needs. Build communication with God and with yourself so that you can live a healthy life.

2. Stay away from temptation and draw near to a healthy community

No one can put us in chains except ourselves. Recognize your weaknesses, and stay away from things that lead you astray. Do not be like Eve and Adam, who were curious about the fruit of the forbidden tree, even though there were thousands of other trees in the Garden of Eden. As a result, they were influenced by fleshly desires and fell into sin.

If you find it hard to resist the desire to snack, limit how often you go on culinary outings. On the other hand, find friends with the same vision. Create a healthy community. Set clear goals . Support and remind one another to stay on the right path. Appreciate and inspire one another when goals are achieved. Challenge one another to reach the next goal .

People will be more interested in approaching a community filled with healthy and enthusiastic individuals than one that likes to complain and feels old.

3. Create healthy habits

There will always be a new menu at culinary spots. There will always be tempting promotions and discounts. There is no need to feel pressured, let alone afraid of being considered “out of touch” because you have not tried everything.

• Be selective in choosing food Living a healthy lifestyle does not mean you cannot eat at restaurants or become alienated from social life. We live normally, but with greater awareness. Quickly get back on track when you occasionally fall off the train. When there is a sudden event or an outside assignment that forces us to consume random food, do not feel guilty. We 'clean it up' by returning to a healthy pattern and community.

• Exercise anywhere Too lazy to stand in line and squeeze into the elevator? Try taking the stairs once in a while. A little out of breath is okay, as long as your heart stays healthy (but make sure your doctor allows you to do that, okay). Instead of hanging out in a cafe, it is better to make plans to exercise together. Exercise does not have to be in the morning or paid, you know. Choose an alternative time for exercise that suits you.

• Make use of technology Use technology to support a healthy lifestyle. Instead of stuffing your gadget with dozens of games, download one or two apps to monitor physical indicators, such as step count, heart rate, and so on.For those of you who like smartwatches, know that your smart band is not just for show. Learn its sedentary alert-feature. This feature sends reminders to the wearer to do physical movement every few dozen minutes. Whether simply stretching the neck, hands, and feet, or walking around the room. There are many health apps you can download on your phone.

4. Keep a food journal

Record the details of the dishes you consume every day—in a book or in the notes on your phone. You will become aware of everything you devour in a day. Sometimes we think we have limited fatty and sugary snacks, but it turns out we have already cheated many times and forgotten about it.

Put on a cheerful face and give thanks for every fruit and vegetable we eat. Healthy food leads us to a good quality of life, excellent health, and even, if God is willing, a long life.  

If after reading this article some are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle, I say, “Congratulations on embracing freedom!” However, if it feels heavy, perhaps we are not yet ready for freedom. Not from colonial rule, but from the oppression of desire (James 4:1).

Remember, there are still many things more important than pampering the tongue and filling the stomach.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

Do not forget to keep filling our subconscious with spiritual nourishment by reading the Word. Believe God's promises of a hope-filled future. Promises that we can attain and enjoy if we are healthy and live long. Freedom!

This article was edited from the favorite winner in the marrieds category (Lidia Kandou Sianturi) in “GKDI Writers Day 2018“.

* Church GKDI currently exists in 35 cities. We have Bible study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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