HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS Part Two – Soul Food
As we all know, healthy eating plays a huge role in a healthy lifestyle. The food pyramid offers a recommendation of an ideal eating plan. In its most traditional form, the bottom of the pyramid is weighted with carbs like pasta, rice, and other whole grains. Above that is where you would find the fruits and vegetables. Then above that is milk and cheese followed by meats. At the apex of the pyramid are fats and oils. Over the years the pyramid has undergone several revisions since its introduction. Some nutritional organizations have changed the percentages and types of carbohydrates. Other organizations have completely inverted the pyramid, stating that proteins derived from lean meats should be emphasized while carbohydrates such as potatoes should be diminished. With so many recommendations out there, things can become a bit confusing, however, the overarching objective is to ensure that we all eat a balanced diet and achieve good health.
In the previous devotional I spoke about our spirit as our base, or core. What would the base look like on a balanced spiritual diet? What would be the most vital thing required for our intake? I believe at the base of the pyramid you would find Soul Food. Remember now, we are referring to the Spiritual pyramid, so I am not talking about fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, rice, gravy, and cornbread. Am I the only one getting hungry here?
Anyway, many of us either do not eat spiritually or we snack on junk food. You know the type of things that appear healthy but, have no real spiritual nutritional value at all. For example, when we choose to munch on a Zodiac sign daily donut, or snack on a mood ring candy bar, then turn around and wash it down with a palm reading milkshake.
These things do not connect us with our spirit, but it looks like we are doing something possibly spiritual. That is junk food, not soul food. To truly learn more about ourselves we need to check out the owner’s manual. You do not let a car, diagnose issues you are having with your car. You take it to that car’s maker. Just like humans should check in with the maker of humans when challenges arise or just for routine maintenance. When you know you need a spiritual check-up or just a routine physical go to God, not the astrology hotline. We must feed our spirit, to ensure a healthy lifestyle for our spirit.
Prayer is a great source for our sustenance. Time spent with God in prayer and reading God’s owner’s manual or what I call my Faith manual will greatly improve your spiritual health. As we pray, we draw closer to God. As we draw closer to God, we desire to learn even more about Him and thus ourselves through the owner’s manual. So, the next time you are feeling, afraid, weak, lost, at your wit’s end, desperate, or just plain out of gas, reach for some soul food to revive your spirit. I pray this Thompson Truth devotional serves as a good appetizer. Be sure not to miss any meal portions in this Healthy Lifestyle Habits series. Here’s to your Health!
This is a Thompson Truth.
