Lesson

Spiritual Health

 

God is Good, Especially During Our Challenges

On August 23, 2013, I took a ride in an ambulance with my oldest son, Neal, in the back. I couldn't believe what was happening: my son had taken pills.

 

During the year prior to this night, I could feel that Neal was under spiritual warfare. I know Satan wants to take down all believers, and especially those whom he knows will make a huge impact for the Kingdom, but I had never felt warfare more tangibly than I did in my own son.

 

About a year and a half before August 23rd, Neal had started to go public with his faith in Jesus. He was posting scripture on Facebook and wanted to start a Bible study at school. Neal has tons of charisma, and Satan knew that if Neal really got on fire for God, he could have a huge impact. So Satan wouldn't leave him alone.

 

When other things in Neal's life started to fall apart, he became weak and started to believe the lies he was hearing from Satan. Neal had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease a few months earlier, and he was also told he needed major shoulder surgery in June (which meant no sports for a long time). Because of the surgery, he had to quit a job he loved. He was also having some girl issues at the time, and, on top of all that, got 2 speeding tickets, which cost him quite a bit of money. But even with all this going on, the life he presented to the world through his social media and even to his close friends and family made it look like he had it all together. No one, not even his dad or me, knew how much it was affecting him.

 

Neal didn't know what to do with all these feelings, and so one night, August 23rd, he took Ambien (my husband had them in his office for when he traveled internationally). He didn't want to lie in bed thinking about all these things; he just wanted to forget it all. Thankfully, soon after he took the pill,s we found out about it.

 

Worst moment of my life!! Yet, I was OK.

 

I just remember shouting out to God, “Please God, save him!” We didn't know how much he had taken and immediately called 911. Thankfully, Neal had only taken 3 Ambien and not the whole bottle. It wasn't enough to cause damage to his body. He slept it off in the hospital without the need for medical help. As he lay there sleeping, I stared at him in shock. It broke my heart to know that my son, whom I loved soooo much, had been so unhappy.

 

From the hospital, he was transferred to the psych ward at a local hospital. I can't explain what it was like to visit him there. He couldn't wear shoes because of the danger of shoelaces; they ripped the ribbon out of the Bible I gave him; he couldn't be alone with his guitar because of the strings. It was so surreal.

 

After 4 days in the hospital, he came home, and I remember thinking, “Now what??? Do we just return to life as normal?” I was so thankful that he had transferred to a Christian school just a few weeks before. We met with Neal’s counselor, who was awesome, and immediately prayed for Neal and opened up about some of his own family challenges so Neal wouldn’t think he was judging him.

 

We also found a Christian therapist. This wonderful older man loved Neal, truly loved Neal, and helped him so much. Neal learned to forgive himself for things in his past and, most importantly, learned how loved he was by God. He took all the head knowledge he had about God and realized he was uniquely and personally loved just as he was.

 

Since then, we have seen Romans 8:28 live out. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

 

What Satan meant for harm, God used to move Neal to become the man He created him to be. Through this low point in Neal’s life, he learned that although he knew all about God and the Bible, he didn’t really know Him. He finally allowed (and welcomed) God into all parts of his life and felt the love God had for him.

 

Neal started to speak out about this at his school. With the help of his youth group leaders, he created a video that was shown to hundreds of kids in his youth group. Several parents have told my husband and me about the impact Neal has had on their own children. They told us how Neal had reached out to their children and changed the direction they were heading. Neal could feel their pain. He’d been there and was able to share his story.

 

I used to wonder if I would still trust God when hard things came my way. I learned through this experience that God truly is my Rock. My husband and I leaned into God and never doubted that He was at work, even in this challenge. I learned to trust that God loved my son more than I did. I came to understand how helpless I am at changing situations and how hugely powerful He is.

 

If you and your family are followers of Jesus, it doesn’t mean you have to pretend that you are all perfect. Years before all this happened, when I was still fairly new in my faith, I remember thinking, “I really hope that as a family we don’t mess up in a big way because so many people know we are Christians and I would hate to ruin God’s reputation.” In some quiet time, as I was talking to God about this, I heard Him say, “Michelle, thanks for your concern, but I’ve got my reputation and it isn’t wrapped up in your family behaving perfectly.”

 

After Neal and I talked on TV about what had happened, I heard from several others who had gone through a similar situation but felt they needed to hide it from their Christian friends and the Church. They realized that sharing their story would allow people to pray for them and give them Godly advice.

 

When going through challenges, know that God is right there with you. His Word promises this over and over. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” I LOVE that the last words Jesus says as He is taken up to Heaven are these: “And be sure of this: I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

 

It brings me such peace to know that nothing “surprises” God about my life. He knows all that has happened and all that will happen. He knows when trials will hit, and He is ready to give me the love and support I need to get through it.

 

Trust that God is at work even when you can’t see it. This poem says it so beautifully:

 

Life is but a Weaving (The Tapestry Poem)

By: Corrie Ten Boom

 

My life is but a weaving Between my God and me. I cannot choose the colors He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow; And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly Will God unroll the canvas And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful In the weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned He knows, He loves, He cares; Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives the very best to those Who leave the choice to Him.

 

Until you get to heaven, you might not understand why you had to go through something, but like Neal says in a video he made for our church’s youth group, “It’s a workout for your religion. You go through all this pain and you come out stronger.”

 

Neal just received a Master's in Divinity and is passionate about helping the least of these. What Satan meant for harm, God used to bring Neal closer to Him!

 

God is good - all the time!

 

Here are some additional verses you can cling to when you go through trials:

James 1:2-4

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. “

John 16:33

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

   

Physical Health

 

Osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s Disease

As I age, it is sad to hear about the health challenges of my parents and my friends’ parents. Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis come up often as diseases that are affecting so many of our aging parents. I am committed to doing what I can to try and prevent my loved ones from having to go through either of these diseases with me. I know there are no guarantees. I can do everything listed, but still suffer from these, but I say to my kids that I am doing all I can do. Are you doing all you can to reduce the risk of your loved ones having to see you suffer from osteoporosis or Alzheimer’s?

 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is characterized by progressive loss of bone density and thinning of bone tissue, causing bones to break easily. Over 10 million people in the United States already have osteoporosis, and millions more have lost some bone mass and are likely to develop osteoporosis in the future. More than 80% of those affected are women.

 

Because osteoporosis causes our bones to thin, it is easier for them to fracture. Osteoporosis leads to over 1.5 million fractures each year in the United States. A recent study reported that those who suffer a fracture because of osteoporosis are at increased risk of dying for 5 to 10 years following the fracture.

 

Obviously, osteoporosis is a major problem. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent it.

 

Exercise

One of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis is exercise. Studies have shown that the risk of osteoporosis is lower for people who are active, especially for those who do cardiovascular exercise with impact and strength exercises. Jogging, vigorous hiking or walking, stair-climbing, step aerobics, dancing, racquet sports, and other activities that involve impact are great for building bone strength. When we do high-impact movements, the jarring of the feet hitting the ground tells our bodies to build up our bones. We do need to be careful, however, because we don’t want our impact exercises to be so intense that we cause an injury.

 

Strength training is also important for our overall health, but it is especially helpful in preventing osteoporosis. When we use weights, exercise bands, water, or our own body weight as resistance, it is considered a strength-training exercise. Twenty minutes of strength exercise benefits not only your bones but also improves heart health, muscle strength, coordination, and balance.

 

If you already have osteoporosis, it is still important to exercise. You should speak to your doctor to learn what types of exercises you can safely do to preserve and strengthen your bones. Exercise alone can't completely prevent or cure osteoporosis, but it sure can help!

 

Diet

If you want to decrease the risk of osteoporosis, eating foods high in calcium, vitamin D and magnesium are the most important dietary changes to make. Next, limit your alcohol. If you drink more than two alcoholic drinks per day you could be increasing your risk of osteoporosis. Smoking can also rob you of bone mass!

 

Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D all work together to ensure our bones stay strong. If we lack any of these three, we increase our risk of osteoporosis.

 

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral that builds bones and keeps them strong. In most people, bones continue to grow stronger until about the age of 30. As we age, our bones can become weaker. When our bones are weaker, they are less dense. Bone density or bone mass is determined by the amount of calcium and phosphorus that a specific bone contains.

 

Foods high in calcium are important for bone growth. On average, we need about 1000mg of calcium per day before age 50 and 1200 mg after age 50.

 

Calcium is found in a variety of foods. Some foods have naturally occurring calcium in them, while others have calcium added. When calcium is added to a food, it is called calcium “fortified." If you do not get enough calcium from your diet, you can get calcium from a supplement. Speak with your doctor before taking supplements to see what is right for you.

 

Here’s a list of foods that are rich in calcium. Amounts of calcium per serving may vary depending on the name brand of the product:

Milk: 1 cup = 296 mg

Yogurt: 1 cup = 300-415 mg

Cottage Cheese: 1 cup = 120 mg

Cheddar Cheese: 1 ounce = 212 mg

Turnip Greens: 1 cup = 250 mg Kale: 1 cup = 180 mg

Broccoli: 1 cup = 100 mg

Sardines with bones: 3 ounces = 275 mg

Tofu (processed with calcium sulfate) 3 ounces = 225 mg

 

It is important to keep track of your calcium intake. If you don't get enough calcium each day through your diet or supplements, your body will be deficient in this mineral. Then your body will break down the bones to replenish itself and bone strength will decrease.

 

Vitamin D

Calcium absorption is critical to bone mass, but vitamin D is needed for our small intestine to absorb calcium. If we take in calcium but we don’t have vitamin D, our bodies won’t absorb it. If we don’t absorb calcium, our bones can’t use it.

 

We can get vitamin D from sun exposure, food, and supplements. Vitamin D is naturally made under the surface of your skin when your skin is in direct sunlight. The tricky thing with exposure to the sun, though, is that you need to be in direct sunlight, without sunscreen, during midday for about 15-40 minutes each day (studies show that time needed for sufficient vitamin D production can vary according to skin pigmentation). Ideally, you need to have your legs, arms, and face in direct sunlight (no clothes covering) for the vitamin D to be produced. Because of the risk of skin cancer, we need to be careful when doing this.

 

You can also get vitamin D from the food you eat. It is difficult to get enough vitamin D from food because few foods contain vitamin D naturally.

 

Foods with Vitamin D include:

Egg Yolks

Some fish, including herring, sardines with bones, halibut, catfish and cod liver oil (yum yum!)

Liver

Some common foods have vitamin D added (milk, certain cereals). These are called “fortified" foods. Almost all of the vitamin D in the American diet comes from fortified foods.

 

If you are unable to get enough sunlight or do not get enough vitamin D in your diet, you may want to take a vitamin D and a vitamin K supplement. Again, consult your doctor before taking supplements.

 

Magnesium

Magnesium is needed to get the calcium where it needs to go. Without enough magnesium, calcium can collect in the soft tissues and cause a type of arthritis. Magnesium actually pursues the calcium where it is needed - in your bones. It also takes it out of the soft tissues, which can help prevent arthritis. Obviously, magnesium is important to the health of your bones.

 

Foods that are high in magnesium include:

Bran (rice, wheat, and oat)

Seeds (pumpkin, flax, sesame, sunflower)

Nuts (Brazilian, almonds, cashews, pine)

Soybeans

I want to clarify how these three work together to be sure you understand the importance of getting enough of each of them.

Calcium: Builds strong bones

Vitamin D: Allows the body to absorb calcium

Magnesium: takes the calcium that is absorbed and tells it where to go

 

Alzheimer’s Disease

As painful as it can be to watch someone you love suffer from osteoporosis, I think it would be even more painful to watch someone you love come to the end of their life because of Alzheimer’s.

 

“Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that is characterized by a steady decline in cognitive, behavioral, and physical abilities severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Symptoms vary from person to person, but all people with Alzheimer's disease have problems with memory loss, disorientation, and thinking ability. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may have trouble finding the right words to use, and recognizing family and friends, and may become frustrated, irritable, and agitated. As the disease progresses, physical problems may include loss of strength and balance, and diminishing bladder and bowel control. As more and more of the brain is affected, basic life functions, like swallowing and breathing, become irreversibly damaged, resulting eventually in death”. (Department of Health Services Website)

 

The Alzheimer’s Association says, “A small percentage of people with Alzheimer’s disease (less than 1 percent) have an early-onset type associated with genetic mutations. Individuals who have these genetic mutations are guaranteed to develop the disease.” There is nothing we can do to prevent this type of Alzheimer’s.

 

The larger percentage of people affected by Alzheimer's do not have the genetic mutation and should do all they can to reduce the risk of getting it.

 

Three of the most important lifestyle choices we can make to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s (and most life-threatening diseases) include:

Reduce stress

Exercise consistently

Eat a healthy diet

 

At Faithful Workouts, we refer to these as faith, fitness, and food.

 

Faith: If you want to decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s, you need to reduce your stress levels. Our emotions drastically affect our physical health. The more we learn about the adverse effects of stress, the more motivated we should be to make lifestyle changes. If you want peace instead of stress, I’ve found - and the Bible makes it clear - that the way is through Jesus. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

 

Fitness: The Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation states that regular physical exercise (150 minutes per week, which includes cardio and strength exercises) can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50 percent. Please don’t read this too quickly. If you choose to exercise, you can decrease your risk of Alzheimer's by 50%!!! Come on, if that doesn’t motivate you to get moving, what will??? Also, exercise can slow the progression of the disease for those who have already started to develop cognitive problems.

 

Food: Inflammation within our bodies and insulin resistance have been discovered to injure neurons and interfere with communication between brain cells. Alzheimer’s is sometimes described as “diabetes of the brain.” A diet that reduces inflammation and keeps our insulin levels from spiking may help keep our brains healthy. This means keeping sugary foods out of your diet. (Have you ever heard me say this before?!!!) Fatty fish, olive oil, dark berries, beans, and vegetables- all the foods we know are good for us can also keep us free from Alzheimer's.