Delicious, Nutricious, or Both?

It's a fact that what tastes delicious is not always nutritious!  Junk food may taste great, but it does not adequately provide for the wide range of dietary needs of the human body.  Suppressing the appetite with sugary drinks and foods decreases the intake of water, fruit, and vegetables which contain necessary vitamins and minerals for growth, repair, good digestion, energy, and concentration.  When the body is sluggish from inactivity or experiencing pain, the desire to exercise is reduced.

For people like myself who have done physical work or have been active on the sports fields, nagging injuries are part of life.  I have learned to manage my injuries over the years.  I have learned that stretching, taking anti-inflammatory medication, maintaining a decent level of fitness, and staying well-hydrated are keys to staying on the field.  Over six months ago I pulled my upper hamstring.  I was still able to play baseball, but the injury kept me from regularly working out.  It seemed like nothing I did made a difference.  Rest, massage, medication, and stretching weren't making the problem go away.  My prayer list for physical healing was mounting up:  the left knee and hamstring; the right elbow, shoulder, and wrist; and right ankle.  Praise the LORD that He hears, answers, and heals.

One thing which had slipped my mind was I had not been taking any vitamins or supplements to provide nutrition which promotes healing.  I was trying all these external therapies which had always helped before, but neglected to think about what I was putting into my body to help recovery.  I began taking various vitamins and supplements to help the body recover.  In the past few weeks, I have seen marked improvement.  Yesterday I was able to work out with heavier weights and the hamstring was pain free!  Thank God for His healing touch!  The point is this:  I had neglected the importance of diet in recovery from injury.  It occurred to me we can do the same thing in spiritual matters.  When we are hurt by someone, we can focus on external means to bring healing.  We can go to that person according to scripture and seek reconciliation.  Jesus says in Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."  Obedience to your doctor is important, but the things you are eating and drinking also affect the progress of your treatment.  I might go through the motions of meeting with those with whom I must be reconciled, but unless I am feeding faithfully on the Word of God, spending time in prayer and godly fellowship, the hurt will linger.

I read an article the other day about a woman who was addicted to drinking Coca-Cola.  She would drink 8 liters of soda on a daily basis.  Few people would claim drinking 8 liters of soda a day is a healthy lifestyle choice.  It is possible to indulge in too much of a good thing - and when that thing is not healthy to begin with, only trouble will follow!  Even as people prefer one drink or food excessively, we can do the same thing with biblical doctrine.  We can have a preoccupation with particular themes or truths which have the potential to make us spiritually gaunt or bloated.  As it is important to have a balanced diet of healthy foods, we need a balanced diet of the whole Word of God.  Books outside of scripture can have some good nutritional content, but fiction novels could be compared to junk food.  There's nothing in them to feed or satisfy your soul.  Now there is nothing wrong with having a candy bar or a soda, but that should not be your primary dietary intake.  Fiction is temporarily satisfying, but will leave you empty and looking for more.  I almost think it unnecessary to say, but reading and viewing porn is like poison.  It is a spiritual opiate which numbs and disconnects a soul from fellowship with God.  Those who desire health do not inject poisons into their bodies and brains.

Psalm 34:8-9 reads, "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! ⁹ Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him."  Jesus is the Living Bread come down from heaven who gives Living Water, the Holy Spirit.  It is Christ who has the words of life.  It is in Christ all of our hunger and desires are satisfied.  Feed on His faithfulness!