Topic: Four Ways to Live a Healthier Life [RICK WARREN Devotional 15 May  2022]

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Four Ways to Live a Healthier Life

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”

Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

Some people tend to think of their body as completely separate from their spirit. But the truth is, there is a direct connection between your spiritual health and your physical health. In fact, the Bible is full of health advice you’re probably not going to read about in a nutrition book. 

Here are four things from Scripture you can do to live a healthier life.

Trust in God. In life, you’ll either worship or worry. You’ll either pray or panic. The Bible says in Psalms 116:7, “I said to myself, ‘Relax, because the Lord takes care of you’” (NCV).God wants you to trust him and relax. He will take care of you!   

Confess your sin. One of the healthiest things you can do is to receive God’s forgiveness. Don’t repress or suppress your sin. Instead, express it to God. If you don’t talk to God about your sin, you’ll take it out on your body. This happened to David: “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long . . . My strength evaporated . . . Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt . . . And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:3-5 NLT).

Give generously. It’s not a mistake that the words “miser” and “miserable” have the same root. Misers are miserable; they’re always sad. But givers are always glad. Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (NLT).

Did you know there are more promises in the Bible about giving and generosity than about any other subject? God is a giving God, and he wants you to learn to be like him. Every time you give, your heart grows bigger—and you break the miserable grip of materialism.

Have fun. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not merely endured. In fact, the Bible says that God created everything for your enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 says, “They should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (GW).

You’ll often hear people say, “The family who prays together stays together.” That’s true. But it’s also true to say, “The family who plays together stays together.” You need to enjoy life. You need to have fun.

Friends, it’s not just what you eat that matters. It’s what eats you. You can take the best probiotics and eat fresh, healthy, and organic foods. But if you’re resentful against your dad, envious of your friend, or guilty about something you did yesterday, it will rot your bones: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30 NIV).  

But when you look to God—with trust, confession, generosity, and fun—he fills you with peace.

• What is your first response when you start to worry or panic? If it’s not trusting God, what steps can you take to make trusting God a habit?
• In what area do you need to receive God’s forgiveness? How has not confessing your sin affected your health?
• Describe how generosity has filled you (and others) with joy?
• What’s one way you can incorporate fun into your life today?

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