I was in the store the other day, three ladies were standing behind the counter. One of the lady’s husband brought a croissant sandwich for her lunch. She said to him that she could not eat this type of sandwich anymore after New Year’s as she was going on the diet after the new year!
I also noted in my Pilates class, we usually have about 8 people in attendance but after New Year the number of attendees increased to 15. I said to my friend, “Wow! Lots of people!” My friend said, ”New Year’s resolutions! It will die down in about 3-4 weeks and be back to the same number of eight again.”
Everyday Americans have goals and desires in the new year and make New Year’s resolutions. Some wish to loose weight in a quick way, to get rid of aches and pain, and to live longer. We all cherish the feeling of wellness, good health, strength, and vitality. How can you make changes to accomplish these wishes? Our Heavenly Father has entrusted each one of us with the power of prayer, belief, and choice.
The Bible says “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thes. 5:17. Prayer makes the difference in all we do as the Holy Spirit will help and guide us in the choices we make to eat and live. Choices influence our health, wellness and longevity. This is my New Year’s resolutions – nurturing my spiritual life by praying more. Praying is commitment to God and is known to be associated with less anxiety and depression and healthier lifestyles.
Believe that a helper, the Holy Spirit, is available 24/7. In John 16:7 Jesus says “…it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” The Holy Spirit gives us the power of scripture to convict us and influence our way of life. The Holy Spirit helps strip away our bad lifestyle habits and bring us into the good lifestyle God intended for us to have. The Holy Spirit works like peeling an onion. There are layers of bad habits. The Holy Spirit works in us by peeling off bad habits and replacing them with good habits – this leads to a good choice. For example: eating whole grains food for breakfast instead of a bagel or donut, eating breakfast instead of skipping breakfast, and eating plant based foods with colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds which contain abundant amounts of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, and phytochemicals.
New Year’s resolutions made in the beginning of the year are many times non-sustainable. The choice we make through the power of prayer and belief in the Holy Spirit will help us make good choices for our health and wellness throughout the year. Celebrate health and wellness through HIS amazing guidance!
May we all have an abundance of good health this 2024 year!
Yin Schaff, Health Ministries Coordinator