The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

For each of us we have to come to the place where we determine for ourselves what our highest priorities are, and how are our best energies directed. Hopefully, we are engaged in that is of eternal value.

As an individual, we may ponder this question from several angles, but as a christian it is already answered for us. A healthy lifestyle is a matter of loving God, others and ourselves:

Loving God means:

1. Seeking to enjoy an intimate relationship with my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, as I learn to love God with my whole heart.

2. Striving with the help of the Holy Spirit to put God first, worship God in spirit and truth, serve God joyfully, and trust God obediently through all the changing scenes of life.

Loving my neighbour is to:

1. Care for the well-being of others.

2. Be a source of encouragement wherever possible (tough and tender love).

3. Work to bring healing of body, mind and spirit, and reconciliation in relationships which were unhealthy once safe and appropriate.

Loving myself means:

1. Caring for my body as the temple of the Lord (eating, exercise, relaxation, sleep et cetera).

2. Managing my time, money, lifestyle and temper well.

3. Praying for healing and transformation on a daily basis, acknowledging sins and shortcomings, and celebrating each day as a gift from God to be lived as abundantly as possible.

One of the roles of the Church is to promote healthy physical, emotional and spiritual lifestyles as a good steward of the personal resources entrusted to us which include our own bodies, minds and spirit:

1. Prayer, meditation, study and sharing of personal experiences of healthy lifestyles.

2. Seminars on nutrition, exercise, water consumption, rest and sleep, relaxation and leisure time, preparation for retirement, finances.

3. Visits to gymnasiums, retreat centres, and wellness centres.

4. Support groups for those suffering from obesity, drug and alcohol addiction and other disorders or health challenges.

5. Church sponsored rehabilitation centres, healing centres, fitness centres, and wellness centres

6. Extensive pre-marital, marriage and family counselling

Let us all continue to pray for healthy lifestyles in our nation’s families, for more persons to minister to them, for peace in our homes and on our streets, for joy and hope in our hearts.

• Rev Angela Palacious, a motivational speaker and author of several devotional books, is an Anglican priest. She may be contacted at 393-9000 or by e-mail at angelapalacious@gmail.com.