Seven Tips For
HEALTH &
HAPPINESS!
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
Many people have asked me why I am so healthy and youthful for my age. My answer is: "The Lord has been good to me"! Let me share with you some tips on staying healthy.
BE CONTENT: The greatest commodity in life is peace of mind. Busybodies who pry into other people's lives and persons who worry about all the problems of the world are usually hyper and afflicted with many ailments of body and soul. The Bible says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim. 6:6)
Be thankful - so many people today are unthankful. They feel the world owes them a living. That is a fallacy. There are no free lunches.
REMEMBER TO KEEP CLOSE FAMILY TIES: There is an old adage that says, ‘The family that prays together stays together’. And that applies to families that "play together" as well.
We are responsible to our families. The Holy Scriptures attribute health and long life to those who honour their parents.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother". This is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the fear (discipline) and admonition (instruction) of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:1-4)
KEEP CLOSE FAMILY TIES! Enjoy your children and grandchildren. Be firm but loving with them! Be kind to your parents and loved ones. They can be the best friends you will ever have! Love your brothers and sisters!
If you ever find yourself in the position of needing help, your family will be right there. In good times and tough times, stay close to your family!
ENJOY YOUR WORK: In these days of high unemployment, pray to find gainful employment that you enjoy.
I enjoy my work, although it is very demanding and I'm on call nearly 24 hours a day. I enjoy meeting people and being of help to them. I also enjoy studying, reading and writing, so my work is not laborious.
I worked as a commercial traveler for about ten years. When I answered the Call of Christ into His Holy Ministry in 1963, I was doing very well spiritually and financially, since I was on ‘special contract’ with McCormicks Ltd.
I was earning 10% commission on the gross sales to small and large grocery Stores, Supermarkets and Wholesale Houses.
While I did my work I had the time to study theology, history and other related subjects. I read God’s Word like a sponge and learned to fast and pray and often preached in native Communities where I travelled.
I was very happy and content until God called me to enter the full-time Ministry. Then I became restless and finally gave up my lucrative position and started at $50 a week, doing what I enjoyed doing more than anything else.
STAY ACTIVE: Some people are old at 40. They lose interest in everything and are content to sit and vegetate, putter around the house or watch senseless TV for hours, accomplishing virtually nothing.
Others are young at 75, with great mental health and wholesome attitudes!
It is very healthy to have some extra-curricular activities or hobbies such as an exercise routine, a jogging schedule, reading, upgrading your education, learning a new language or meeting some new friends.
Become a prayer, an intercessor, a volunteer. Do some humanitarian or social work. Visit shut-ins and hospitalized people. Spend some time helping others and you will become a recipient yourself!
The Bible has much to say about helping others: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,” (Col. 3:12)
“Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” (Rom. 12:10)
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LEARN TO RELAX: Take time out for a rest. It's so important to take a day off once in a while.
God instituted the Sabbath in order that His people could have one day out of seven to rest as well as to worship Him.
While preaching to several thousand people at a Camp Meeting in Norway in 1968, my friend Evangelist Aril Edvardsen asked me if I thought it was possible for a person to totally rest - not even think about anything – for one whole day of 24 hours. It was a novel and interesting idea!
MINISTRY’S FINANCIAL NEEDS & PEOPLE’S
DESPERATE NEEDS KEEP US PRAYING!
But Jesus admonished His disciples to take some time for rest: “And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while; For there
were many coming and going and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately”. (Mark 6:31-32)
It is imperative, however, that we spend time with our families, in order to give them quality time! That is a given and non – negotiable in order to be good parents, by showing them that they are more important that other things!
It is possible, however, to be relaxed even under stressful conditions. Early in life I learned to relax while working by catching a 15-minute catnap on trains, planes or sitting in my office.
DON'T FEAR GROWING OLD: Enjoy every year of your life. Look forward to the changes they bring in you and your fellow men. Unfortunately, many people become health freaks and use much valuable time following the newest diet plan, vitamin cure or food fad!
They prepare their own specialty foods and carry their own health drinks, even when they are invited out. Some are so health-conscious they become bores or general nuisances.
Let's put our faith in God and eat sensibly, but not fanatically.
Let us not be afraid of death or growing old. By God’s grace, we receive His forgiveness and peace when we come to Him in believing prayer.
Through the new birth experience, condemnation leaves and we are free from guilt and fear!
Then, the struggle is over for us as we place ourselves in God’s great care and keeping for time and eternity!
KEEP YOUR FAITH STRONG: Don't give up your faith or belief in God. Be a firm believer in God's grace and goodness to you. Receive His power to heal and keep you well. He has promised to keep us in perfect peace when our minds are “stayed on Him”.
Here are His instructions for those who are fearful, sick and suffering: "Come unto Me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28)
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)
Follow my seven-point plan for health and prosperity and you will be happy and blessed. Guaranteed! Amen.
Note: This an expanded version of a column I wrote for the Edmonton Sun in ca. 1989. M.S.
