LIVING A HEALTHFUL LIFE

How many of us have complained about our poor health service, of scarcity of beds and medicine, of waiting uncomfortably for hours and in some cases even days sometimes without being attended to?

And how many of us are today in mourning because of the death of a loved one either through sickness or accidents and nowadays even cut short in their prime as a result of crime?

The thing is though that if there was no sickness or if we could limit the number of persons who are seeking help in our nation’s hospitals there would be no need for the amount of beds or the amount of money being spent on health care.

Today in California in the United States of America a community of about 9,000 Adventists who live in the Blue Zone of the Loma Linda area  live as much as a decade longer than non-Adventists, have less need of hospitals and other health care and much of their longevity can be attributed to vegetarianism and regular exercise. Plus as practising Adventists they neither smoke nor drink alcohol.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes the autonomy of each individual and his or her God-given power of choice. Rather than mandating standards of behaviour, Adventists call upon one another to live as positive examples of God’s love and care.

Part of that example includes taking care of our health! We believe God calls us to care for our bodies, treating them with the respect a divine creation deserves. Gluttony and excess, even of something good, can be detrimental to our health.

Adventists believe the key to wellness lies in a life of balance and temperance. Nature creates a wealth of good things that lead to vibrant health. Pure water, fresh air and sunlight—when used appropriately—promote clean, healthy lives.

Exercise and avoidance of harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol and mood and mind-altering substances lead to clear minds and wise choices. A well-balanced vegetarian diet that avoids the consumption of meat coupled with intake of legumes, whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, along with a source of vitamin B12, will promote vigorous health.

Such health is a gift from a loving God who wants us to live life in its abundance. When we benefit from such love, we feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation toward our creator. Because of this, Adventists choose to praise God with joyful living.