My parents both suffered from hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. I was their caregiver when I was in my 20s. It is because of them that I have drastically curtailed my sodium intake. When someone has dinner at my home and asks for salt, I have to look for the salt shaker. It is because of the lupus and hip surgeries that I workout twice a week in the pool. My retired orthopedic surgeon told me that if I keep the muscles tight around the joints they would last longer, and they have. It's because of atrial tachycardia that I exercise enough to raise my heart rate for some cardio training. It was a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia that didn't allow me to eat without pain that caused me to loose about 20 pounds in six months. The weight loss reduced the arthritis pain in my body making it easier to move around and perform my daily activities. Tying my shoes is so much easier. In each case it was a diagnosis that made me get healthier.
A couple of weeks ago during the Lenten class that I am co teaching, we discussed how we run away from problems. Instead of running away we should turn the problem into an opportunity. Without realizing it I have done just that. I still have some health issues and take medication every day. But I know that the medication is only a part of the solution. It's up to me to exercise, eat well, get enough sleep, and stress less. In that way, dis-ease has been a blessing.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because I want your dis-ease to bless you too. See your doctors, take the medication, and don't give up. Be a partner in your health care not a spectator. It's never to late, you are never too old to make some positive changes in your life. There is a pretty good chance that I will always have some health challenges. But there are a couple of things that I know, God gave me this temple and I will honor it every way that I can. And I believe what Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly." I'm going for the abundance; abundant life, abundant health; and abundant happiness. Honoring the temple? That's a good start.