Hebrews 12: 5 5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
We all love food. I mean, who doesn’t love food from shawarma to sinigang. Food has become a big part of our lives and even society.
You don’t have to call yourself a foodie or become a chef to appreciate food’s importance in our daily lives. But as human beings, our passion for food can go overboard and often left unchecked, which becomes our idols or coping mechanisms in whatever that we’re going through.
Food is essential, and no doubt about whether it’s lugaw or samgyupsal; we need food to sustain ourselves. Others have a hard time putting food on the table, given it’s the pandemic, while others ordered their fifth delivery of the day.
You see, about 20 percent of people have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD; it’s another term for hyperacidity. And most often, people who have this condition vary from not eating properly on time to eating unhealthy food.
People who have this condition suffer different symptoms from vomiting to painful stomach cramps due to stomach acid. And you would properly think, how does this condition affect your relationship with God?
I suffer from GERD personally and It all boils down to discipline and how we treat ourselves which can also speak a lot about my faith.
How to cure/ deal with this?
- Reduce trigger foods
What are the triggering foods for someone who suffers from GERD?
The list goes on and on, and one of them is chocolate and sour foods. So say goodbye to cakes and acidic foods.
The same thing goes for faith, avoid the things, sins, or circumstances you know that will do you more harm than good.
Yes, that one delicious bite seems tempting, but after that temporary bliss, you’ll experience long-term suffering and spiritual death. So faith over food or mind over matter. Remember Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden?
Think it over before giving in that delicious treat, thinking whether you deserve it. Say goodbye to comfort food, and the hard-to-swallow question you should ask yourself is how long can comfort foods ease your pain?
- Drink your prescribed medicine
It is crucial for those who have GERD consistent in drinking their antacid medications to control the acid from their systems.
What is your daily vitamin or maintenance per se as a Christian? It’s the Bible, the refreshing word of God, and it’s the cure to what we feel and how we cope with our daily lives.
God’s words and promises are like water for an intense thirst or mana after a fierce hunger. The promises of God are like honey and milk in abundance and can heal the soul.
We often neglect the Bible just because it tastes like a bitter pill that we have to swallow. We don’t like how the words in the Bible make us feel uncomfortable, or sometimes it’s not something we want to hear at the moment.
But then don’t you see? that medicines may not be pleasant to take, but it is essential, the same thing goes for discipline, it’s necessary for your betterment.
- Practice a healthy lifestyle
Most people don’t practice healthy lifestyles, and you don’t have to be vegetarian to have one. How we think, eat, or work is a part of our lifestyle.
Our lifestyles shaped our daily lives and as Christians, does your lifestyle show your faith?
You have to ask yourself what kind of lifestyle will glorify God? What changes do you need to implement? Can you talk with someone in the church to help you out? Are you still living in sin secretly?
Whatever it is that is taking most of your time and energy can affect your spiritual life. Are you putting God a priority? How do you handle conflicts within your family?
Ask yourself, what do you have to change and help you show what you must do. Also, seek God and acknowledge him in all that you do.
- Be consistent
Consistency is the key to recovery; keep on doing what is best for your health and wellness. Remember why you started and the struggles that you’ve been to and learn from your mistakes.
Because honestly, whether we admit it or not, as Christians, we’re prone to sidetrack or backslide in our faith.
But you know what, there’s good news! God loves you, and you can come as you are to him. No ifs and buts, he will embrace you wholeheartedly and heal your heart and anything that you’re struggling with right now.
But you have to acknowledge the condition of your heart and do what you must to improve.
You can always go to the Bible or ask directly to God through prayer, get in touch with a friend who cares about your welfare. Join a bible study, learn to love God, and make it a part of your lifestyle.
Conclusion:
The truth is, we are all sick and tired since we’re humans. But there’s nothing that our God can’t heal. Surrender your fears and cravings; let God take over you.
See the difference it will make, it may be challenging initially, but you shall overcome with his strength.
Be diligent in all that you do and the things that you put into your system. Practice self-love but not in a selfish way, honor your body where the spirit of God lives, and be salt and light to others through how you live.
Remember that discipline is not always a bad thing, especially if it comes from our God.
As children of God, we should obey and do the right thing since we often do not realize we’re losing our self-control and are down the road to destruction.
