There are a lot of buzz words around health and healthy foods at the moment. Words like paleo, pre and probiotics, alkalising and fermentation. Not to mention some of the latest superfoods such as kale, sauerkraut, goji berries, kefir and kombucha, just to name a few.
It seems everyone has a strong opinion on diet and what we should or should not be doing to live healthy lives. And whilst we might not all be eating the latest in health foods, I think we would all agree that a balanced approach to health trumps a diet full of junk.
Junk in, junk out
I'll be the first to admit that I don't always eat healthily and have some treats occasionally. I have also done some 'mindless' eating, you know the sort where you somehow magically open up a packet of food, usually of the sweet variety, and before you even know it, the packet is empty and you hardly remember eating it!
There have also been times when I am so rushed that I end up shovelling food down resulting in both overeating and indigestion!
However, overall I am mindful of what I allow into my body because I know it will affect my health on many levels. I know that I can't expect to fill up on junk and live a healthy, vibrant and long life.
What are we spiritually filling ourselves with?
There is a lot of focus on our physical health and rightly so, but lately I have been challenged about my spiritual health and what I am allowing to fill me.
How am I spending my time? What am I reading and allowing myself to watch? What am I saying? Thinking? Listening to? Am I being mindful of what I am allowing to fill me or am I allowing any, old junk to come in and fill me up instead of being filled on God's word?
Wisdom from the scriptures
Psalm chapter 90, verse 12, has become my prayer for spending time more wisely,
'Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.'
Ephesians chapter 5, verses 15–16, has become my prayer for being more mindful as to how I live. 'Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.'
Proverbs chapter 4, verse 23, tells us to guard our hearts. 'Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring for life.'
2 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 5, helps me with capturing rogue thoughts
'...and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.'
And 2 Timothy chapter 1, verse 7, helps me declare self-control and discipline
'For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.'
There are of course many other scriptures and I encourage you to fill yourself up with them, as I am being challenged to do so, so that I am not only full of the 'scriptural superfoods', but I am overflowing with the good stuff!
Jo Fuller is an early childhood teacher with degrees in journalism and education. She currently lives on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and young son.
Jo Fuller's archive of articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jo-fuller.html
