The average life span in the United States is approximately 76 years. As shocking as it may seem, this may be less than half of the life span that a human can live, when things that accelerate the aging process are absent! Unfortunately, accelerated age inducers like stress, inadequate nutrition, a sedentary life style, and unhealthy substances that we regularly ingest or are exposed to, have become norms of our society, and help keep the typical American's life on a path toward disease and/or deterioration. Some key questions to ask yourself are:
1. Does my life style significantly differ from the one described above?
2. Am I willing to learn and consistently apply the principles of a health enhancing life style to my own life?
Our ultimate aim should be to glorify God; and in the course of that, we are given opportunities to use our time wisely. Many, however; have allowed themselves to be in a position where they don't have the time to adequately care for their health, even if they wanted to. Any in this type of situation, should put it before God in prayer; believing that a desire and an opportunity for a life style change will result. In my opinion, two video tapes by Dr. Lorraine Day, "You Can't Improve On God", and "Diseases Don't Just Happen", do a very good job of putting in perspective the task of achieving your wellness potential. (See "drday.com" among my wellness links below) It takes a lot of discipline to in many instances, go against society's flow, but with God all things are possible.
My next suggestion is for you to utilize some of the advances and technology that God has allowed, to help make you aware of the present state of your health. The recent heart surgery of former President Bill Clinton has raised the public's health awareness, motivating many to undergo a heart scan test to detect blockages in coronary arteries and to get an estimate of their future risk of heart problems. Heart scans are designed for use in patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD), but who are at risk. This procedure can be a life saver! Consult qualified professionals and do a little studying to see if you are a good candidate for a heart scan, or other tests that may help recognize health concerns at earlier stages. Mention "The Wellness Ministry" and get a $75.00 discount for a "Coronary Artery Scan" at any Heart Check America Center.
It would surprise a lot of people to know just how unwell they presently are. Please understand that when an individual is diagnosed with a classically defined disease like CAD, that this represents an end stage of the disease process. As wellness expert Gary Null wrote, "A person can be 80 percent unwell before the first symptoms manifest". So my first suggestion is for you to ask God to heal you from head to toe of all infirmities, whether diagnosed by a doctor or not. As children of God, however; our most prevalent desire should be to first seek him, not his blessings. Regularly read the Bible and lead a Christ centered life.
If you truly believe that God can heal you, then you need to work with your doctor to come up with a plan of how to confirm your healing of ailments that you are taking medications for. In certain instances, taking medication for a condition that is no longer present can be bad for your health. Home tests like those for cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and devices like blood pressure monitors that you can purchase at your drug store are possibilities, but I still suggest that you consult your doctor through out this process.
My next suggestion is for you to become a student of your health. Your local health department and health food stores have free materials for you to take. Many health organizations and websites also offer free newsletters. You also can visit "Google.com" and type in the name of a disease like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, or a general topic like "Free Health Materials, healing ministries, heart scans, Faith Based Smoking Cessation, or Fall Prevention", to get access to a wealth of health information which can be printed out or requested. Through study and prayer your mind can be renewed, allowing you to consistently apply the knowledge that you've learned to your life!! Willpower is not enough. Unless the thinking that lies at the root of any bad behavior is changed, then maintaining good behavior in that area will at best, be stressful. Click Wellness Resources for a suggested list of materials to add to your personal library.
It is good, and very necessary to consult experts to help you in your quest to be well, but the ultimate responsibility for your health is yours. Realize the importance of being willing to do your own research. Relying upon salesmen, infomercials, and advertisements as your primary sources of knowledge, is a potentially dangerous choice. I for instance, purchased a natural nutritional suppliment that I saw on an infomercial, and although the informational audio tape that came with the product said that it was synergistic with all medications, I decided to do my own homework. I consulted naturaldatabase.com, and checked out each herb that the product consisted of, and sure enough, one of the herbs would have possibly interfered with one of my medications. When I called the distributor of the suppliment, they also admitted this. Two great resources about drugs that are commonly used and prescribed, are the books "Worst Pills Best Pills", and "The Pill Book".
There are a lot of very good natural alternatives that can compliment or replace conventional medications, and in many instances they carry less risks of harmful side effects. Some of these methods have dramatically improved the quality of people's lives, and in many instances, even saved lives, but as I stated in the previous paragraph, you must thoroughly investigate what you are considering putting into your body.
You may investigate the links on this website, and also google "integrative medicine", to begin your research into the various types of healing methods. Integrativemedicine.org is one of many very informative websites. I strongly suggest, however; that you consult an Integrated Health Practioner, as well as your regular conventional physician, before making final decisions about the adopting of healing methods!
Achieving total wellness also involves being concerned with the well-being of your fellow man. Sew into the lives of others, offering not only your prayers, but your time, talents, and finances as well. A good place to start is to bless your your family, church, and community. You may also utilize google.com, and type in "charities", but most importantly, allow God to lead your giving.
If you don't already, I also suggest that you regularly attend a church, as the Bible tells us. I live in the Washington DC metropolitan area, and I have been greatly blessed by the attendance to my church, Kingdom Baptist Church and also by listening to sermons on WAVA (FM 105.1), from 9:00 am - 10:30 am on Sunday mornings. The sermons come from three churches; Cherrydale Baptist, Mclean Bible, and Church of The Redeemer, that are also in our area.
For individuals, groups, and churches that would like to create a website, or would like to revise their existing site, the Jay Williams Design Company offers great rates and does quality work. Tell him that I, "Christian Trainer", sent you, and you'll receive a discount.
A "Health Fair" can also be a great activity for your church to host. This will not only benefit the membership, but also can add to the effort of "Community Outreach", providing another vehicle to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Google "health fairs" to learn how to organize a fair, and to locate businesses that specialize in putting on health fairs for organizations.
If you believe it unnecessary to put effort into caring for your health because of God's ability to heal you, then let me remind you of when satan asked Jesus to cast himself down from a pinnacle of the temple, and to depend upon God to send his angels to catch him. Jesus refused to do so, because although God can do all things, we are not to put him to the test like that, Jesus said unto him, "it is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God", Matthew 4:7
Another organization that offers a Christ-centered approach to wellness, is
firstplace.org. Their focus is weight management, and they not only have groups all over the country, but they can offer you the resources to start a group in your own church! For a list of other faith based programs, you may google "Bible Based Wellness"
Also available is my "Fall Prevention and Balance Training For Older Adults" workshop. "Falls" are the leading cause of injury related death among people that are 55-79 years old. The workshop can be a life saver. You may click on
fall prevention for valuable information that you may choose to print. I would suggest that adults not wait until falls become a problem for themselves or family members, before considering fall prevention strategies. Fitness professionals that may want to acquire expertise in this area can do so through course work and materials offered by various establishments. Click on
fall prevention workshops for a great resource that I've used, and based the information that I've included on this website. In the near future I plan to include a "Monthly Wellness Message To Older Adults" to this website. Eventually I'd also like to feature some type of bulletin board so that people may share wellness insights that God has blessed them with, successes of their church's wellness ministry, etc...
A word about the traditional religious practice of "fasting". Typically, an all-liquid diet is what is referred to as a "fast". As a result, varied amounts of toxins that were stored in the body are released into the bloodstream, and eventually excreted. Fasting is one of the ways to detoxify the body. If done the right way, which includes considering the level of physical activity, this can be very beneficial to a person's health and well-being; but if done improperly, fasting can be very detrimental to a person's health. Even knowing how to begin eating again after the fast is over, is a very important consideration. Fasting with water only, is harsh and demanding on the body, since the toxins are released into the elimination channels more rapidly than if the fast consisted of fruit and vegetable juices. A fast with fruit and vegetable juices is considered, by leading nutritionists and detoxification experts, to be superior to a strict water fast. I strongly suggest that anyone considering fasting, to first consult their physician, and research the topics of "fasting" and "detoxification". Click on Detox for some general information about detoxification, and for a great book title that thoroughly covers detoxification and fasting. That website in general, HealthyHealing.com, may also be very helpful to you. For a doctor that can personally guide you through a Naturopathic program, which includes detoxification, click thewellpharm@hotmail.com, and tell him you were sent by The Wellness Ministry.
