There are probably several strategies I use to maintain my health and well-being and many more that I truly need to implement.

Like exercise and eating right. I need to do better in these categories. Eating is alright, and my saving grace is most likely that I do eat a lot of salads, try to make sure I’m getting good fiber, making better choices throughout the weeks, and I eat one big meal most days (lunch) and a protein bar at the other two meals. So, better than some, not as good as others.

However, I’d say the thing I work hardest at is keeping the right mental attitude, and that contributes to a ton of my well being.

Avoid stinkin’ thinkin’ for a good and prosperous life!

I am naturally introspective, and because I’m a reviewer (there are doers, dreamers and reviewers in life), I tend to automatically see what will go wrong in a given situation. Over the years, with the help of my “optimistic-big picture,-always seeing what can go right-amazing leader” husband, I have learned to not only see the problem but to also work hard to see the solution, too.

So, that’s what I do.

I strive to look at the good, the solutions and the HOPE in any given situation. I don’t always get it right, but I can proudly claim I am light years ahead of where I was 25 years ago.

A couple of things that help me do this:

1. Daily Scripture reading. Yeah. I read the Bible. For some, you’re already tuning me out because you think I’m going to get all religious on you. However, hold just a second, please, and just read a few more lines to see what I’m talking about…

I have found that the Bible is a great big story of incredibly amazing people, and it’s beyond interesting. It has mind-boggling miracles and mysteries, intriguing family dynamics and dysfunctions, and all kinds of battles and victories. It’s a great history book as well. And it’s certainly led me to a greater level of understanding, knowledge and insight. So, beyond the soul refreshing relationship I’ve found through knowing and talking to the ultimate Hero of the Book, it’s an incredible piece of literature. And it’s no wonder it’s been the #1 Best Seller for centuries. (I challenge you to just try reading it sometime.)

Then, the added bonus for my reliance of daily Scripture reading is that I find it gives me peace of mind, restores my joy, and fills me with more love than I could ever imagine. So, this would be the first and foremost reason for my daily reading plan of the Bible.

2. I strive to THINK right. Too many people will just let your mind wander all over the place, or maybe be consumed with so much reasoning that it lends itself to confusion, or even allow yourself to be so overwhelmed with thoughts of fear, anger, bewilderment or just plain chaos, doubt and confusion that you never have a clear thought about anything.

There’s another great book I’ve come across that has helped me learn to think right: Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. She teaches you how to retrain your mind to have the right thoughts, no matter how messed up it might be right now. It’s a really good book! I highly recommend it.

3. I’ve learned to forgive and forgive again. This is huge. Unforgiveness can eat away at your health and well being before you know it. And when you’ve let unforgiveness fester so long that it’s turned into bitterness, it can literally destroy you!

I read an article once that talked about the scientific benefits and dangers of unforgiveness and negative thoughts. It described how these cause neurons, atoms (or something?… it’s been a while since I read it. Lol) or something in your brain to actually develop little spikes on them. And because your brain is the communication to the rest of the body, these little spikes start poking and prodding the various areas of your body and begin creating toxins and miscommunications, which then develop into sicknesses, diseases and even terminal illnesses.

Now, maybe someone wrote that article, and it was more theoretical than proven, I have no idea. And I really don’t care. It makes perfect sense, and it made a huge impact on me. So, I work hard to avoid harboring unforgiveness and negative thoughts.

4. I’ve embraced positivity and try to avoid negativity. (See explanation above.) I’m not always the best at this, but I try, and try, again. Being positive is really good for you mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Plus, it’s so much more enjoyable to be around someone who’s more positive than negative.

Now, this doesn’t mean I always have my head in the clouds and never see anything bad. That’s honestly a dumb way to live, too. And I’m a bit too much of a realist to be that way. But if I can choose positivity, I will work really hard to do so.

5. I don’t do drama. I don’t do OPD (other people’s drama), and I don’t do my own. Drama just works everyone up for nothing. If you’re going to fight a battle, there better be spoils, and good ones. But when everything gets dramatic, and especially when it’s someone else’s problem and solution into which you are inserting yourself, there’s usually absolutely no good pay off. So, why do that to yourself?

6. I strive to keep peace in my heart. This doesn’t mean that there’s never a storm of life that I’m not walking through. It just means that I’ve learned to embrace peace no matter if the circumstances around me are chaotic or not.

And truthfully, I can’t do this in my own strength. None of it. Whether it’s being disciplined to read Scripture, thinking right, being forgiving, being positive, avoiding drama or seeking peace, I really don’t have the ability to maintain all of this by myself. I’m not passionate enough, strong enough or even wise enough to know how to do all that, but I’ve met Someone who works it all in me and through me: my loving Savior, Jesus.

He is truly my Rock, my Shelter, my Peace, my Provider, and my Source for all I need for health and well-being. And often, those who don’t have a relationship with Him will say, “That’s just a crutch.” And I have to admit. Yes. I have found I can’t even walk without holding onto His hand. For when I’m leaning on Him, I can do all things well…

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2