1. Forgiving
2. A Clear Conscience
3. A Happy Heart
4. Gratitude
5. The Power of Prayer
6. Loving Others
7. Samaritan Work
8. Sweet Words
1. Forgiving
One cannot experience the full blessing of health without having first experienced Yahuwah's forgiveness. Remember that sin is the first cause of disease because if sin had not existed neither would have a disease. The burden of guilt, with its unrest and unsatisfied desires, is the foundation of many maladies.
In the Bible, the paralytic found in Yahushua healing for both the soul and the body. The spiritual healing preceded the physical restoration. This lesson should not be overlooked; forgiveness is connected with physical healing. There is inexpressible peace and joy and rest in the consciousness of sins forgiven. There are today thousands suffering from physical disease, who, like the paralytic, are longing for the message, "Thy sins are forgiven." They can find no relief until they come to the Healer of the soul. The peace which He alone can give impart vigour to the mind, and health to the body.
Yahuwah promises: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him" (Hosea 14:4).
What can make a heart so light, what can spread so much sunshine through the soul, as the sense of sins forgiven? The peace of Yahuwah is life and health.
"An unforgiving heart cannot be healed"
However, if we expect our prayers to be heard when we come to ask mercy and blessing from Yahuwah, we must forgive others in the same manner and to the same extent as we hope to be forgiven. How can we pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors," and yet indulge an unforgiving spirit? (Matthew 6:12). We shall need to have the love of Yahuwah, that we may not cherish an unforgiving spirit. An unforgiving heart cannot be healed. It is the love of Yahuwah that draws us unto Him, and that love cannot touch our hearts without creating a love for others.
2. A Clear Conscience
"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." - Proverb 4:20-22
There is a close association between the physical being and the soul. When a human being is in harmony with God few problems of the physical body are unsolvable. With His help nothing is impossible.
There is health in obedience to God's law. The consciousness of right-doing is the best medicine for sick bodies and minds. The special blessing of God resting upon the receiver is health and strength. A person whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is on the pathway to health.
"My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For the length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee ... It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Proverb 3:1,2,8). This a powerful promise, as here God promises that if we obey Him He will bless us with excellent digestion "health to thy navel" and a strong immunity "marrow to thy bones" (the immune system cells are formed in the bone marrow). Interestingly, these are the two main factors needed for good health.
A clear conscience combined with cheerfulness are better than drugs as an effective agent in restoring health.
3. A Happy Heart
"The joy of Yahuwah is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10
There is a physiological truth - a truth that we need to consider - in the scripture: "A merry rejoicing heart doeth good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22, emphasis added).
Our thoughts are the food that our brains feed on. As we can eat foods that steal from our bodies, like sugar; we can also think thoughts that steal from our bodies, like anger. We can choose what we think, and in doing so, we choose between health and disease.
Negative thoughts are extremely powerful. An example of this can be found in what science calls the nocebo effect, which is a response in the body that is caused only from the belief or suggestion that something is harmful when it otherwise is not. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, "Nocebos Contribute to a Host of Ills." For instance, in the Framingham Heart Study, women who believed they are prone to heart disease were nearly four times as likely to die as women with similar risk factors who didn't believe.
Redford Williams, M.D., author of the book Anger Kills, wrote: "Getting angry is like taking a small dose of some slow-acting poison every day of your life." Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life-forces and to invite decay and death.
In his book, Anatomy of an Illness, Norman Cousins describes his recovery from ankylosing spondylitis, a disease of "unknown etiology" with a survival chance of one in 500. In a desperate bid to survive, Cousins rejected his drug therapy, hired a projector, and amuse himself by watching old comedy movies. He was following a hunch he had acquired from reading Dr. Hans Selye's book The Stress of Life, and his changed state of mind, helped by laughter, improved diet, and his own determination, was the turning point from which he recovered full health in a few months.
It has been said that a hearty laugh a day may keep the doctor away. Laughter has innumerable benefits. It increases blood flow as much as a 15 - to 30 - minute workout. It proves a potent anti-stress factor, decreases asthmatic attacks, increases stamina, relieves arthritic pain, and promotes good sleep. Also, since the serotonin levels go up after laughter, it is an effective antidote for depression. Studies have shown that even breastfed babies with eczema experience milder symptoms if their mothers laugh hours before feeding them.
"All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is a merry heart hath a continual feast." - Proverb 15:15
How Can I Be Happy When I Don't Feel Happy?
Cheerfulness is created by considering the great blessings we enjoy as children of Yahuwah. We can also gain happiness through the pleasure of blessing others. Always the first step to transition is the most difficult, so choosing to put on a smile and behave happily will help this to become a reality.
What Thought Should I Think of to Promote Health of Body and of Soul?
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8
But I feel Dominated by Negative Thoughts ...
It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings - as much as it is a duty to pray. You may close every door to negative thoughts by lifting the soul into the presence of Yahuwah through sincere prayer whilst claiming this promise in faith: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Yahuwah, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Yahushua" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Many, walking along in the path of life, dwell upon their mistakes and failures and disappointments, and their hearts are filled with grief and discouragement. We can gather flowers in the garden and enjoy their fragrance or we can walk away from the path among the briers and thorns and gather them. The briers and thorns will only wound and grieve us, and when we present them to others we are slighting the goodness of Yahuwah, and preventing those around us from walking in the path of life. It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life - its iniquities and disappointments - to talk over them and mourn over them until we are overwhelmed with discouragement.
4. Gratitude
"Be careful for nothing [be anxious about nothing]; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6
Life is a "Gift of Yahuwah." Ecclesiastes 3:13
Every blessing comes from Yahuwah's bountiful hand and nothing tends to promote the health of body and of soul more than the spirit of gratitude and praise. "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of Yahuwah in Yahushua concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This command is an assurance that even the things which appear to be against us will work for our good. "All things work together for good to them that love Yahuwah, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Yahuwah would not bid us be thankful for that which would do us harm.
Many do not leave their cases with Yahuwah; they encourage weakness and disease by worrying about themselves. If those would cease repining and rise above depression and gloom, their recovery would be more certain. They should remember with gratitude how long they enjoyed the blessing of health; and should this precious boon be restored to them, they should not forget that they are under renewed obligations to their Creator. When the ten lepers were healed, only one returned to find Yahushua and give Him glory. Let us not be like the ungrateful nine whose hearts were untouched by the mercy of Yahuwah.
What Will Happen When I start to Praise Yahuwah?
Yahuwah desires us to make mention of His goodness and tell of His power. He is honored by the expression of praise and thanksgiving. He says, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me" (Psalm 50:23). Yahuwah desires that the whole life of His people should be a life of praise. Thus His way is made "known upon earth," His "saving health among all nations" (Psalm 67:2).
"Delight thyself also in the Yahuwah; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." - Psalm 37:4, emphasis added
5. The Power of Prayer
Overcome worry and stress by cultivating the habit to take your problems to Yahuwah in prayer. Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before your Father in heaven. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. "Yahuwah is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" (James 5:11). His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing, is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy or cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).
The relationship between Yahuwah and each soul is as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watch-care, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.
Yahushua promises: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:22). He also assures us that: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). "The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Master shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (James 5:15).
Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with Yahuwah, so that life from Yahuwah flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to Yahuwah. There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to Yahuwah. Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving.
Without Believing in the Power of Prayer, How Can I Know Prayer Really Works?
Larry Dossey, M.D., in his book Healing Words, described "one of the best-kept secrets in medical science: benefits of prayer." Dr. Dossey defines prayerfulness as "a feeling of love, compassion, and empathy toward another," and he explains that prayer is "a powerful and legitimate (if often overlooked) method of healing." Dossey uses an impressive array of evidence to show that prayer can have a positive effect on health. A 1988 study conducted in San Francisco investigated the effect of prayer on the cardiovascular health of 393 coronary-care patients. Unknown to the patients involved, one group was prayed for and the other was not. At the end of the ten-month study, the prayed-for group was five times less likely to require antibiotics and three times less likely to develop a condition in which lungs get filled with fluid.
In the October 2001 issue of Journal of Reproductive Health, researchers at Columbia University - expressing great surprise at their own profound findings - announced that when complete strangers prayed for women who went to a fertility clinic, the women had twice the pregnancy rate as women for whom prayers were not offered.
6. Loving Others
THE GOLDEN RULE: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." - John 13:34
The love which Yahushua diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part - the brain, the heart, and the nerves - is touched with healing. By it, the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from guilt, sorrow, anxiety, and care, which crush the life forces. With it comes serenity and composure. It implants in the soul health-giving joy that nothing earthly can destroy.
As we receive the love of Yahushua and experience the rich gifts of His grace we become debtors (Romans 1:14) and are called to impart to others that which we have received.
"Giving love is a powerful healer."
When you love others, your immune system is energized to fight against the disease. Love changes the chemical pathways of the brain strengthening your body's resistance.
There Is Someone I Cannot Love, What Can I Do?
There are many ways to develop appreciation and love for a person but one of the most effective ways is to include the person in your intercession at the throne of grace. It is difficult to dislike someone for whom you are praying for. Yahuwah changes your heart as you pray for that person. Try it!
Also, it is important to accept the person for what he is rather than for what he is not. We miss much if we fail to look for the good qualities and strengths which each person possesses.
7. Samaritan Work
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily." - Isaiah 58:6-8
In helping others we ourselves receive help. Doing good is an excellent remedy for the disease. The pleasure of doing good to others imparts a glow to the feelings which flashes through the nerves and quickens the circulation of the blood and induces mental and physical health.
If the mind is free and happy, from a consciousness of right-doing and a sense of satisfaction in causing happiness to others, it creates a cheerfulness that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood and a toning up of the entire body. The blessing of Yahuwah is a healing power, and those who are abundant in benefiting others will realize that wondrous blessing in both heart and life.
An aimless life is a living death.
One of the surest hindrances to the recovery of the sick is the centering of attention upon themselves. Many invalids feel that everyone should give them sympathy and help, when what they need is to have their attention turned away from themselves and to think of and care for others.
Yahuwah imparts His blessings to us that we may impart to others. When we ask Him for our daily bread, He looks into our hearts to see if we will share the same with those who are more needy than ourselves.
The widow and the fatherless have the strongest claims upon our tender sympathy (James 1:27). They are the objects of Yahuwah's special care. They are lent to followers of Yahushua in trust for Yahuwah.
To love and to labor is the sum of living, and yet how many think they live who neither labor nor love.
8. Sweet Words
"I am by nature a dealer in words, and words are the most powerful drug known to humanity." - Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
In their book Food and Love, Gary Smalley and Rex Russell compiled the following research that was most revealing: "Medical research has studied the effect of chronic quarreling on person's health and have found that couples and roommates who frequently quarrel tend to have more illnesses than do the people in amicable relationships. Those who have constant fights suffer a weakening of their immune system and are generally less healthy than those who react amicably with friends and family.
A study of students at Yale University discovered that roommates who disliked each other had far more colds and flues and visits to physicians than did roommates who liked each other - and the greater the dislike - the higher the number of illnesses.
"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." - Proverbs 12:18
Researchers of Ohio State University Medical Center brought 90 couples into a lab and asked them to resolve an issue of disagreement; continuous blood monitoring for 24 hours revealed that couples who had high levels of hostility display significant deterioration on eight measures of the immune system.
Researchers at Cambridge University in England found that couples who had constant quarrels were 13 times as likely to develop a serious illness as couples who rarely fought. " A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruits of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverb 18:20,21).
How Can I Make Sure That My Words Are a Good Influence?
"Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." - Proverb 16:24
If your thoughts are right, then your words will be right. It is best for every soul to closely investigate what mental food we serve our brains to chew on. Slanderous speeches, is a form of cannibalism, will not be spoken by those who are feeding on that which is the Bread of Life. When one gives place to an angry spirit, he is just as intoxicated as a drunkard.
When tempted to speak or respond negatively remember: "Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding" (Proverbs 17:28)
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