Recently, I have been thinking about health issues, how to have energy, and to be as well as possible. I am not a great cook, so it can be hard to eat healthily! I have been known even to burn a boiled egg……..

I have noticed that over the pandemic, I have had some bad habits. Especially when I have felt low energy, I have turned to comfort food, chocolate and coffee especially. They have kept me going (along with prayer). I enjoyed them, and at times caffeine kept me awake, chocolate made me feel better.

However in recent days, I have questioned things. I have started to eat more vegetables, and more protein. And some one said to me that caffeine doesn’t give you more energy, it just uses the energy you have more quickly- hence the slump afterwards. I have found that really helpful.

So for the last two weeks, I have eaten less artificial sugar, and much less caffeine. It felt a bit strange at the beginning, but I have tried to persevere. To my surprise, I feel much better. I still have a long way to go, but feeling healthier is a big plus. I still have to work at conserving my energy, but it is better. The occasional treat is still fine, but I needed better balance, and more disciplined choices.

I remember the words from 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 ‘ Don’t you realise that your body is the temple of the Holy spirit, who lives in you, and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a price. So you must honour God with your body. ‘

Sometimes we are preoccupied with so many things, we forget to look after our body. It is such a miracle that it works each day! But anything we can do to help it, is a help- exercise, rest, sleep, health eating, self care. We have been given such a gift, the gift of life itself. May we never take it for granted.

PS I have tried to ditch the caffeine and sugar, but I am keeping the prayer!

Gracious God, You are our Creator, and we are created in Your image. Each breathe we take is a miracle, each thought can be a blessing, each action an act of love. Lord Jesus, by your grace, You bought us with a price. Help us to realise afresh that we are precious in Your sight, and not to squander the health we have by not taking care of ourselves. Holy spirit, keep us from temptation, and reveal to each of us, how to look after our body, mind and soul, and to make decisions to be as healthy as is possible. Thankyou for the gift of life each day- may we treasure this, in Jesus name, Amen.