GOFAMINT DEVOTIONAL - HANDLING STRESS GRACIOUSLY

     GOFAMINT DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MANAGE YOUR HEALTH

    Saturday  6/8/2022 

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 23, 77

Devotional Reading: Prov. 3:5-8

Topic For Adults: Importance Of Staying Healthy

Topic For Youths: My Health, My Wealth

Topic For Intermediates: Having good health

Lesson Scriptures: Prov. 3:5-8; 31:17; 3 Jn. 2; Isa. 53:3-5;

Phil. 2:25-30; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 1Cor. 10:31

 

MEMORY VERSE

“Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It will be

health to your body, And nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8) NKJV.

 

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            Handling Stress Graciously 

   Philippians. 4:1-9

Stress is inevitable in life as an accompaniment of our hustle and bustle lifestyle. It is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances which affects our health. It is initiated by: “Shocking moments, Traumatic events, Repetitious pressure from something, Errors that we make, Strain from succeeding and striving through life, and Sales related to money-financial pressures” (Michael Mccartney, 2003). These stressors are: serious illness, job loss, a death in the family or a painful life event which makes you feel down or anxious. These can be handled by doing the following: maintain positive attitude instead of being hostile; accept that there are events that you cannot control; learn to manage your time more effectively and say no to requests that would create stress; make time for relaxation; connect yourself with the injunctions in verses 4 and 6 - “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice” and “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”; spend enough time with those you love, and talk to your Pastor or Doctor if the situation persists.

 

Point of Emphasis: Handle your stress graciously and do not damage your health.

Prayer Point: God, grant me wisdom to manage my stress graciously.

Reading The Bible Through in a Year: Morning: Rev. 14: 1-5; Evening: Dan.9-10

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BACKGROUND

Health is a state of complete well-being in our physical, mental, and social components, and it is beyond mere absence of disease or infirmity.  Your health is the most important asset in your life. Good health does not just happen, it must be developed. The quality of life you will live is as a result of the interaction of your genes, environment and lifestyle habits (Olabanji, 2021). The type of interactions you permit today is an investment which will manifest in the future. But as Christians, we have a promise of good health in 3 John 2 This is why this week’s lesson centres on how to manage our health.

 

 

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NOTES ON THE LESSON

PART 1: GOD WANTS US HEALTHY - 3 JN. 2; ISA. 53:3-5

It is obvious that God wants us to be healthy not only spiritually but also physically. The Bible says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 Jn. 2) which can be seen together as a promise and our responsibility. This should be a reason that ought to arouse us to take care of ourselves and be healthy. The reasons why God would want us all to be in good health are: It glorifies Him (1 Cor. 10:31), our body is God’s temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20), being a good witness (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20), having more energy to do God’s work, to be better equipped for what God has planned for you (Eph. 2:10) and to fulfil His good purpose (Phil. 2:13).

God has given promises through His word for our good health that if we believe them by faith, it will produce good result for our health. In Deuteronomy 7:15, “And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known …”. The book of Psalm 103 verse 3 sees God as, “Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases”. While in Jeremiah 30:17, God says, “For I will restore health to you, and heal you of your wounds…”.  These promises if held onto by faith will definitely produce result. James opines that, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (Jam. 5:14-15).

God wants you to be healthy and to take good care of yourself healthwise. God wants the best for you in life in all areas - social, financial, occupational, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.

 

 

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PART 2: DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR HEALTH – PHIL. 2:25-30; PROV. 3: 5-8

Epaphroditus was a vibrant, effective and fellow soldier with Apostle Paul in the ministry. They both worked together effectively for Jesus Christ, but, he neglected his health, and Paul had to caution him in order for him not to lose his life. This encourages us as Christians to pay attention to our health as we work for God and do our daily activities. You are sacred (Rom. 12:1) with only one body, so, you must do the necessary good things for it and that may include eating well, working out and getting regular check-ups at the hospital. God sacrificed His Son in order for us to be here in this body. We do not want to misuse the body we were given by the LORD.

To have faith is good and essential as a Christian but do not neglect your health when you are sick, see the physician and get proper medical care. God gave the medical practitioners knowledge to make effective diagnosis and give adequate treatment. Therefore, to avoid untimely death or complications from any illness, seek medical advice and back it up with prayers.  Prevention, they say, is better than cure, so early presentation at the hospital saves a lot. Have this at the back of your mind that, “Doctors care, but, God heals”. Enjoy their care if the need arises before it is too late.

 

 

 

 

PART 3: ISSUES IN MAINTAINING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE - PROV. 31:17; 1 TIM. 4:7-8; 1COR. 10:31

The type of lifestyle we imbibe has either a positive or negative effect on our state of health. The three most important things in a healthy lifestyle are: food, exercises and rest. The food that you consume either builds up your body to fight against different forms of diseases or destroys it. Eating balanced diet and shunning the eating of junks are highly valuable in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. Good nutrition not only prevents diseases but can reduce high blood pressure and improve energy level. Christians with health issues should keep to medical advice on their diet.

The essence of physical exercise cannot be jettisoned as it improves your health and reduces the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. It has immediate and long-term health benefits. This helps increase blood supply to the heart, keeps the body in shape and at alert. Good exercise prevents different types of heart related diseases and obesity. Regular exercise improves your quality of life and keeps individuals fit. However, caution should be taken in performing some physical exercises so as not to harm yourself and damage your health. If any discomfort is observed, seek medical advice quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

God’s plan for us as individuals is that we be in good health and our soul prospers.  To enjoy good health, you should eat balanced diet, exercise effectively, relieve yourself of stress through exercise and rest. Also, making yourself available for medical check-up involving the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs of the body is essential to staying healthy and effective for God’s work. Good health is an important part of being self-reliant. Safeguarding our health will enable us to fulfill our divine potential and serve others more effectively.

 

 

 

 

QUESTIONS

1.   What is good health?

2.   Why does God want us to be healthy?

3.   Identify God’s promises that assure us of good health.

4.   It does not negate the Christian faith to go for medical check-up. Discuss.

5.   Discuss the issues in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

 

 

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

 

©2022  THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL DEVOTIONAL IS BY PASTOR (DR) E.O ABINA, THE GENERAL OVERSEER OF GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL (GOFAMINT) Worldwide.