Earlier this Spring, I started attending a Medical Missionary Training at my church. During these weekend meetings, we explored health and what God says about it. We spoke about GOD'S PLAN which stood for G-Godly trust, O-open air, D-daily exercise, S-sunshine, P-proper rest, L-lots of water, A-always temperate, and N-nutrition and how each of these are important to our daily life.
As we studied God's Word, read excerpts from Ministry of Healing and listening to testimonies, it became apparent to me that I really haven't fully accepted God's counsel about how to take care of my body... physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I really realized that the things that we take in whether it be music, television shows, movies, books, and food affect our minds and hearts which then dictates our daily interactions, thoughts, desires, and actions. As I attended one meeting after another, the Holy Spirit was really moving me to realize my need to truly accept this message for myself and calling me to change. As I felt that nudging from Him to really follow what He had intended our diets and lifestyle to be, inside I was panicking and thinking, "God, you can't ask this of me... at least not yet. I'm not ready! Give me a few years... I plan to go vegan but not quite yet. After all, I just turned vegetarian 8 months ago!" But deep in my heart, I knew God was asking this of me now. I don't know why but letting go of fish and eggs seem harder than letting go of beef and chicken. I think what scared the most was that going vegan... no fish... no eggs... is so foreign to me and this was something I had never planned on being. I supposed in my mind I was thinking, "if I do this... if I follow... what's next?! what will He ask that I change next?!" But I know and recognize that God is the great Creator therefore it just make sense that He would hold the manual to our bodies... how to care, maintain, and cure them.
As I struggled to commit to this, I was discussing some of my health issues with my friend Joya who was supervising the training. After listening to my concerns and health history, she suggested that I do a cleanse to get rid of the toxins in my body. She told me I could do this two ways. The short way and the long way. Short way being a 7-day colon cleanse with no food only fluids and the long way is several weeks of raw veggies and fruits diet. They both didn't sound very good! But knowing me, I knew that the lesser of the two evils would be the quick and short one. lol. I had to drink constantly... juicing, immune teas from herbs and cleansing drinks. And it also had a set schedule for me to follow like devotional time, prayer, getting fresh air, walking, and some hydrotherapy. I was quite scared how it was going to be. I've never done anything like this so I didn't know what to expect but I left it up to God. He provided the perfect time that my husband was able to help me. He provide most of the materials so I didn't have to spend too much $. I have to say that God was sooo good! He got me through those 7 days!!! I actually enjoyed it. I felt such peace and a lightness in my heart and body. It's difficult to explain esp. that I'm not very good w/ words. But my mind during those 7 days was so clear, so vivid. I had an abundance of energy and I felt every part of my body alive. I know that sound weird but it was just that. This was God's miracle for me. I still couldn't believe that I didn't die of hunger and craving for food. I won't deny that there were times that it was hard but it wasn't to the extent that I had expected.. =)
During my cleansing, Joya often visited me and helped us with the hydrotherapy at night. I mentioned to her that I felt compelled to fully accept God's counsel on my diet. She was very supportive and encouraged me to consider starting right after my cleansing because my taste buds have reset and my body was ready for change. =) I knew she was right and it was the best time for me to make the change but I still had doubts about being able to live that way. But, through God's help, I did make the decision (both intellectually and in my heart) to go vegan.
It's been a difficult change and I'm still learning to make the changes not only in my eating but in my daily life. I've fallen many times, as we often do as sinners, but God has continually helped me get back up. He's been my Friend through every trial and, thankfully, every temptation. A friend shared with me once, when I told her of my fears of embracing this lifestyle, that God will never lead you where He cannot help you through it and that when temptation is at it's peak, He will give you a way out and preserve your commitment to Him. What a comfort, isn't it?! God has been so good to surround me with people who are very supportive and has amazing vegan recipes! (that always helps!) Thank you, Lord!
The 1st picture was around end of Nov or early Dec '08 and the second was after my cleansing (of course not all the weight was lost from the cleansing) in June.
No comments:
Post a Comment