1. Do not/stop smoking: Like we all know, Smoking is bad. There is no "nice" way of saying it - even if there was, you find me sugar-coating it. I know people sugar-coat things so they don't hurt others - whay would anyone sugar-coat what will hurt a person? Such a person is utlimately double-hurting the person and a very dangerous person too - and that won't be me. In fact, I remember someone saying that cigars/cigarettes/pipes and whatever else people smoke were coffin nails and that each time a person took another one they were adding nails to their coffin. It's a great analogy - and that has stuck in my mind for decades.
Once a person stops smoking, there are so many benefits* that extend beyond that person. The guest on the show said something that struck me. She said that "our bodies are more forgiving than people realize." She talked about how the body starts repairing itself when the smoker stops destroying it by quitting.
Indeed, a lot of people need to know that God is even more forgiving than we realize.
Suzanne Somers put it so well:
"Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. It's also a gift that you need to accept from God."
When you think about it, a gift is of no benefit if/when you don't accept it. Still on this, leads us to something else we should put on our "Not to do" list so we live healthy & happy lives...
2. Do not hold grudges: Grudges are one of the heaviest and even deadliest burdens anyone can bear. They just eat you up from the inside - and you can never live a full let alone a fulfilled life. I believe that that is why the Bible has this passage in Matt 18: 21-22: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, when someone won’t stop doing wrong to me, how many times must I forgive them? Seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive them more than seven times. You must continue to forgive them even if they do wrong to you seventy-seven times. (Matt 18: 21-22 Easy-to-Read Version)
Before you get angry and hold a grudge, consider what Sydney J Harris said: If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?
There are even health deriments of not forgiving:
To live healthy and happy lives, we must learn to forgive. As you let go of grudges, you'll no longer define your life by how you've been hurt.**** James advises us: My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. Anger does not help you live the way God wants. (James 1: 19-20 - Easy to Read Version)
Suzanne Somers put it so well:
"Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. It's also a gift that you need to accept from God."
When you think about it, a gift is of no benefit if/when you don't accept it. Still on this, leads us to something else we should put on our "Not to do" list so we live healthy & happy lives...
2. Do not hold grudges: Grudges are one of the heaviest and even deadliest burdens anyone can bear. They just eat you up from the inside - and you can never live a full let alone a fulfilled life. I believe that that is why the Bible has this passage in Matt 18: 21-22: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, when someone won’t stop doing wrong to me, how many times must I forgive them? Seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive them more than seven times. You must continue to forgive them even if they do wrong to you seventy-seven times. (Matt 18: 21-22 Easy-to-Read Version)
Before you get angry and hold a grudge, consider what Sydney J Harris said: If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?
Indeed, "He who angers you conquers you"** and we need to be careful because: "Anger is one letter short of danger."*** Anger can also lead to danger.
There are even health deriments of not forgiving:
"Physically the body is in a state of stress. Muscles tighten, causing imbalances or pain in the neck, back and limbs. Blood flow to the joints is restricted, making it more difficult for the blood to remove wastes from the tissues and reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Normal processes of repair and recovery from injury or arthritis are impaired. Clenching of the jaws contributes to problems with teeth and jaw joints. Headaches can become a problem. Chronic pain may get worse. Blood flow to the heart is constricted. Digestion is impaired. Breathing may become more difficult. Anger can seriously impair the immune system, increasing the risk of infections and illness. Studies have indicated that patients who have had heart attacks have been able to improve their physical health by practicing forgiveness and working to feel more tolerant and less angry."****
To live healthy and happy lives, we must learn to forgive. As you let go of grudges, you'll no longer define your life by how you've been hurt.**** James advises us: My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. Anger does not help you live the way God wants. (James 1: 19-20 - Easy to Read Version)
"For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness"*** you will consciously choose to be more tolerant/forgiving so you're happier and healthier.
These are just 2 of the very many things we must not do...in order to live long, lively and lovely lives. God's promise to us is clear: "I will satisfy you with a long life. I will show you how I will save you. (Ps 91:16 - God's Word Translation) I may share other areas (as led)...
Sources:
*http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/tobacco-tabagisme/quitting-cesser/benefits-bienfaits_e.php
**Elizabeth Kenny
***Author unknown
****Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/023304.html#ixzz1xmcWaDxo
*****http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131
**Elizabeth Kenny
***Author unknown
****Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/023304.html#ixzz1xmcWaDxo
*****http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131
No comments:
Post a Comment