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 Temperance is not just avoiding that which is bad. It is the judicious use of that which is good for us. The Lord tells us in the Bible that we are His. Our bodies are His. We are commanded to observe health principles. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Of course most people today pay no attention to health principles. They say that what they do is their own business. For many, the only exercise they get is jumping to conclusions. They think that the four major food groups are hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and chicken nuggets. There is more to life than pleasing ourselves. The laws of health will add years to our life and life to our years. Being temperate in eating is a big part of a healthy lifestyle, but there are other areas of temperance as well. Temperance fits right into the idea of leading a balanced life too. The proper amount of food, at the right time, with the right frame of mind, will add to our health. We should eat to live; not live to eat. For the Christian, the idea of resisting temptation is a serious topic. When do we feel like we can resist anything? Is it when our food has digested somewhat or right after eating a big meal when we feel like falling asleep? The point is, our physical state affects our thinking ability as well. So, all of these areas are interwoven. Our mental state is tied to our physical state and vice versa. "The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death".1 Our diet plays a large role in our mood swings. Caffeine, for example, provides stimulation for short periods, but there is what is called a "rebound" effect. In other words, one can be more sluggish after the caffeine high wears off than before taking the caffeine. 1The Ministry of Healing, E.G. White, P. 241. |
         Proper nutrition is the foundation of good health and recovery. Exercise Action is a law of life. Muscle tone and strength are lost without exertion, but exercise improves the health of body, mind, and spirit increasing vitality and health. With today's sedentary lifestyle, we are much more likely to rust out than to wear out. Because the body is 70% water, keeping well hydrated and knowing what and when to drink are essential to health. The sun is the established energy source ordained by God to sustain the cycle of life for plants and animals. Using good things moderately and avoiding the bad is obviously wise, yet often hard to practice. Temperance is a gift of God, a "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22, 23). Humans can live weeks without food, days without water, but only a few minutes without air. Your ability to work depends on your capacity to rest. Restoration requires rest because sleep allows the body to renew itself. The essence of trust is resting in the goodness of God. When trying to sleep, a clear conscience is better than the softest pillow. |
