The old axiom, "Laughter is the best medicine," holds true when it comes to protecting your heart, according to a study conducted by the University of Maryland in Baltimore. Dr. Michael Miller, who conducted the study, says laughter releases chemicals into the blood stream that relax the blood vessels. In addition, hearty laughter reduces blood pressure and heart rate.
Miller, who is the director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University, interviewed 150 patients who had suffered heart troubles and 150 who had not. Each patient was asked questions to measure their response in typical day-to-day situations. The results showed that individuals with heart problems were 40 percent less likely to respond with laughter.
What this, and so many similar studies tell us it that we have all been hotwired for joy. We are designed to run on Gospel thoughts. Thoughts that inspire hope or bring joy release chemicals that bring us better emotional and physical health. For this reason, the Gospel is like a pharmaceutical for both body and soul. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important that we attend worship services, Bible studies, etc. So we get our fix!
Americans spend hundreds of billions of dollars on prescriptions drugs each year. In fact, we spent over $300 billion in both 2010 and 2011. The numbers are not in yet for 2012.
"If you had a pill that promised to add years to your life," postulates Pastor Rick Warren, "you’d probably pay a lot of money for it. But what if I told you that, as a Christian, you already have the key to a long life and that it’s free?"
Warren offers this prescription for good health:
God has given all of the principles for health management in his Word, the Bible. The Bible is the owner’s manual for your body. As David says, “You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws” (Psalm 119:73 LB). And in Deuteronomy, it says, "These instructions are not mere words — they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land …” (Deuteronomy 32:47 NLT). God says, “If you do what I tell you to do with your health, you will enjoy a long life.”
“Keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life” (Proverbs 3:1 NIV). What are some of those commands? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing …” (Proverbs 3:5-10 NIV).
These verses highlight some factors that you probably don’t think about but that will keep you healthy: ... trust in God, humility, and generosity. These things will cause your health to be better, because your physical health is influenced by your spiritual health.
Rick Warren (1954 - ) is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors.
Before you reach for the medicine chest, take a spiritual vitamin prescribed by the Good Physician Himself! As Spock would say (the Vulcan, not the baby doctor!), "Live long, and prosper!"
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"Victor Frankl, the Austrian psychotherapist ... concluded that when there is a driving passion or a great purpose in life, the physical body is more likely to survive. When he was imprisoned at Auschwitz during the Second World War, he and a number of other doctors observed a strange phenomenon in that physically intolerable, life-suffocating camp. Survival did not appear to depend on the health of the inmates. Often the young, the healthy and the strong would die, while the old and frail and sick would survive. Those who did survive had a common sense of purpose and hope for the future."
Bruce Larson was the former president of Faith-at-Work. He is the author of many books and commentaries including There's a Lot More to Health Than Not Being Sick.
Hope in God empowers us to endure the most difficult of circumstances by providing us with the assurance that life is never without meaning.
"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain..." (Hebrews 6:9). "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13).
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