May it go well with you and find you in good health

May it go well with you and find you in good health summarises why being no longer under the law, Christians do not have to count their steps and weigh every morsel.

Welcome again to this, the last day of our discussions of the management of prediabetes; and how in particular the disease affects us as Christians.

I was touched this morning by the opening words of the apostle John in his letter to his beloved brother Gaius in Christ. He prays: “May it go well with you and may you be in good health.”

You see, it can neither go well with you, nor will you be in good health if you are suffering from unmanaged prediabetes. Researchers tell us it affects nearly a half of Americans; and it’s probably little different in South Africa.

I know this to be true because I read the medical literature daily and I myself have been there. I have personally experienced the declining health, painful joints and loss of memory associated with the disease.

Exercise and prediabetes

We have talked about the three pillars that enable us to escape from this awful affliction. Exercise, change of lifestyle and weight loss.

Today we talk about exercise.

There are two schools of thought in regard to these matters. The one I associate with being under the law; everything has to be carefully weighed and measured. I personally find it burdensome. The other is simply to focus on eating more of the good things, less of the bad foods from the Devil’s Pantry and to exercise more.

Forget weighing and measuring; and discover again the joy of eating without guilt and the beauty of going for walks.

Under the law you have to walk 10,000 steps, measuring and counting them carefully. If you only achieve 9,500 then you have failed. You have to follow a 4x4 regimen of fast and slower exercise; strength and endurance training.

For me it ruins a lovely walk just as surely as a little white ball. I’m only kidding; golf is good exercise though it might drive you crazy.

Freshly-squeezed orange juice led to a discovery

For me personally it was the discovery that even a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice, from our garden with all the pulp, no strainer would still put my blood glucose into orbit. But if I took a short brisk walk after the drink, half an hour later my glucose had barely changed. And if I had it in the context of a meal with lots of other whole foods emphasising fibre, protein and fat, the toxic rise was also much reduced.

We are no longer under the law but under grace. Just walk more, swim or cycle and even a skipping rope if you are able; and enjoy it. Do these things gladly whenever you have indulged in the starchy, sweet foods. Discover again the joy of these activities that will strengthen you; and ensure that it goes well with you and you will be found in good health.

We dare not avoid citrus because of its glucose and fructose content. Your orange is loaded with nutrients like beta-carotene, vitamin C and beta cryptoxanthin the only substance proven to reduce the likelihood of dementia; and many other so-important phytonutrients and minerals.

But eat your orange with all the pulp, perhaps have a smaller portion, what is known as reducing the glycemic load and dilute it with water; but never out of a carton. And after the meal don’t go straight to the couch, the car or the computer. Take a short, brisk walk.

Frankly diabetic?

If you are frankly diabetic, then I’m afraid you do have to come under the law for a time. A strict regimen following all three pillars is essential or it cannot go well with you, and you will not be found in good health. You will not be able to serve God joyfully to the fullness of your ability; you will constantly be consulting doctors.

Swimming or an indoor bicycle may be easier than walking if you are significantly overweight.

Diabetes and cancer

The Diabetes Association also states that people with the disease have a significantly higher risk of many forms of cancer.

Yes it is a sombre message but in Christ we have the victory. The research is strong and my own experience confirms it; by exercise, returning to the Genesis 1 foods and shunning the Devil’s Pantry, we can totally overcome this monster called diabetes, type 2. We will slowly start losing weight quite naturally.

It is on these three pillars that we can escape completely from prediabetes and stop it progressing to the full blown disease. If we are exercising daily, we can occasionally indulge in a slice of Black Forest Cake. If we are slowly but surely losing weight, we can without guilt enjoy a pancake with syrup on Shrove Tuesday. If we are eschewing the highly glycaemic foods, we can miss the odd day of walking if it’s pouring with rain. We are not under the law, but under grace.

Transcendental principles

But if we refused to abide by these three “transcendental” principles then as surely as jumping without a parachute, though more slowly we will be crushed by the immutable laws that our Creator God has established in the Universe.

1. Daily exercise
   
2. Avoiding highly glycaemic foods
   
3. Weight loss

May it go well with you and may you be in the future be found in good health by following these principles. As you abide in Him and he in you, you can do it.

That’s it for prediabetes; in a couple of months I feel the Spirit urging me to talk about Frailty Syndrome; losing your strength and vigour long before your time.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God bless and keep you in good health; be strong in Him. You can do it.

• A healthy diet for prediabetes
  

Disclaimer

May it go well with you and find you in good health

"May it go well with you and find you in good health," said the apostle Paul.

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