Wellness Revolution a very positive move

16.NOV.07

Editor: The collective call and promotion of good health through terms such as ‘Wellness Revolution, Healthier Lifestyle, You Are What You Eat, Nutrition Awareness’ are all commendable efforts by all promoters and supporters of the same. For example, Hitz Fm through its program ‘Hitz talk’ held on Sunday, November 4, hosted quite a useful discussion on health, with one of the panelist being nutritionist, Terry Regis.{{more}}

This kind of educational health drive is not only very important, but timely, since we are approaching a time of the year when unhealthy eating including gluttony and alcohol drinking, is usually practised in a remarkable way in the name of ‘merry making and happiness’. The belly becomes god for some persons and very little or no consideration is given to the laws of health.

Undeniably, there is an unbreakable link between a healthy body and a healthy mind. Additionally, just as the body needs the proper foods to perform its daily functions efficiently, the mind must be properly fed with the right spiritual food to keep sober, pure and spiritually strong. The obvious connection between mind and body is carefully recorded in the pages of Holy Writ. It is important to note that the idea to follow proper diet stipulations to be and stay healthy did not originate with man. The all Wise God, after creating the first human being, gave his instructions regarding maintaining good health. Genesis 1:29 tells us ‘And God said, behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meet.’ Here God gave the healthiest (vegetarian) diet to supply ALL of man’s necessary health requirements. Even after the fall of man, the Creator shows regard for man’s health. He says ‘…and thou shall eat the herb of the field…’ Gen. 3:18

After the destruction of the antediluvian sin-filled world, though man was permitted to eat flesh(animals) , care was taken to give a distinction as to the kinds of animals to be partaken of as opposed to those detrimental to the health, like swine flesh (see Lev. 11 and Deut.14). There is the famous account of the God-fearing, sound-minded Daniel and the three Hebrew boys, who chose through obedience to their Creator, to eat food ( Pulse-vegetable, peas, beans)that would promote health. This reformed eating, through the grace of God reaped great mental benefits to them for the glory and honour of YHWH. ‘ At the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat of the portion of the king’s meat…God give them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Dan.1:15, 17, 20.

In the New Testament, It was clear by Peter’s vision, that he, an apostle of Jesus Christ adhered to the good instructions concerning what should and should not to eaten( albeit, the vision was not referring to food) See Acts 10:13-29

In these last days of earth’s history, should you neglect and shun proper health/diet instructions from God, the One who created man and knows what is best for His creation?

We have been recently made aware, or rather reminded through a CARICOM heads of Government special summit on non-communicable diseases, that many of the illnesses or conditions and diseases like obesity and diabetes result from unfit and unhealthy eating habits. Will you continue to take a ‘don’t care’ oblivious attitude making irresponsible statements such as ‘we hav fo dead som how, pork go hav fo kill me, a bit a rum fo de stomac sake etc’?

As all Vincentians, give due consideration to their health through sane practices including wholesome diet, I join the apostle John in wishing that ‘…above all things that you prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.’ 3 John2

Ann-Marie John