AS THE SAYING GOES, “Health is wealth.”

When we are healthy, we have the capability to be productive. On the other hand, if we are always sick, our work will be affected, and it can cause us financial problems. Getting sick can be very difficult and expensive. Thus, it is important to take care of our health. According to medicinenet.com, the following will help to have a healthy lifestyle:

• Exercise – Regular exercise can help control body weight and in some people cause loss of fat. Thirty minutes of modest exercise (such as walking) at least 3 to 5 days a week is recommended. Sports may provide excellent opportunities for exercise. Physical inactivity and lack of exercise are associated with various ailments, such as diabetes and heart diseases. But start slowly and progress gradually to avoid injury or excessive soreness or fatigue. Consult a doctor before beginning a more vigorous exercise.
• Balanced diet – Eat three healthy meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), but control portion sizes. Eat the smallest portion that can satisfy hunger. The bulk of food consumption should consist of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products. Avoid eating a large meal before sleeping to decrease gastroesphageal reflux and weight gain.
• Mental health – Get enough sleep daily. Try to make some leisure time to do some things that interest you every week. Have a network of friends. Those with social support systems lead healthier lives.

These tips will greatly help us to sustain a healthy body.

More than physical fitness, the Bible also exhorts us to do spiritual training or to live in accordance with God’s will:

“For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come. This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody.” (I Tim. 4:8-9 Amplified Bible)

Interestingly, while one takes care of his spiritual health by staying away from sinful deeds, it also helps him maintain a good health. The Bible teaches, thus, “Others, the fools, were ill because of their sinful ways” (Ps. 107:17 Living Bible). Bad habits that are actually against God’s laws, such as alcoholism, drug abuse, as well as other sinful pleasures can compromise one’s health. Thus, by upholding a righteous life or living according to God’s will, one is able to keep himself physically and spiritually fit.

So just as we should value physical fitness, we should also work hard to be spiritually fit (I Tim. 4:7 TLB). To do so, we should not base our faith on stories based on fables or myths, but on God’s truth or word written in the Bible (I Tim. 4:7-9 Plain English Translation).

To be spiritually fit or grow in spiritual strength is to “become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Pet. 3:17-18 TLB). To be better acquainted or to have a fuller knowledge of Christ, one must be in the Church Of Christ, for it is where God appointed teachers of the Gospel to bring Christians to maturity and spiritual perfection (Eph. 4:11-13 Norlie’s Simplified New Testament).

Therefore, spiritual growth and fitness can only take place in the true Church Of Christ. By becoming a member of this Church and remaining obedient to all of the commandments of God, we are also able to train ourselves in holiness to receive God’s promises not only in this life but also in the life to come—the reward of salvation.