The Genesis 8 Principles of Health
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” Thomas A. Edison
The Genesis 8 Principles of Health
C.R.E.A.T.I.O.N — The 8 Principles of Health Acronym of Genesis
1. C stands for Creator:
In order to experience complete restoration of health it is wise to turn to the oringinal source of life and health. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. Look at the balance of the ecosystem, the order of the sun, moon and stars; the beauty of flowers, the intricacy and complexities of our human bodies. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.” Psalms 19:1. We are wonderfully and marvelously made by the Creator. The sunshine and the rain, that refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator’s love. He loves you and has a plan to prosper you of mind, body and spirit. For us, certain things might be hard, but nothing is too hard for the Creator. Our lives are in His hands. Recognizing and believing in His power; meditating and giving oursleves to Him brings us peace and the blessings of healing.
2. R stands for Rest:
Studies have shown 2 hours of good sleep before midnight is worth more than 4 hours after midnight. It is important also to give our stomachs rest, therefore avoid snacking between meals. Our last meal should be taken at least 4 hours before bedtime. Besides getting enough sleep, we should take proper rest periods in our labor. All of these things will aid us in achieving proper physical rest.
Besides our physical rest, we need spiritual rest as well, lifting our burdens, worries, and sins to God we may find it to help physical rest. “Come unto me, all that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29. “He(Our creator) is the propitiation(payment) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”1 John 2:2. Knowing all of us are forgiven by our Creator makes it much easier for us to forgive.
It is our attitudes and emotional reactions that strongly affect your immune system, circulatory system and even our risk of accidents. Martin Luther King once said, “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” The Hawaiian has a practice called Ho’oponopono, it means to make things right. Align with, cleaning up and restoring with relationships. Essentially, it means to make things right with whom you have relationships. The original purpose of Ho’oponopono was to correct the wrongs that had occurred in someone’s life including Hala (to miss the thing aimed for, or to err, to disobey) and Hewa (to go overboard or to do something to excess) and even ‘Ino (to do harm, implying to do harm to someone with hate in mind), even if accidental. “The only way children can learn the habit of forgiveness is by seeing us, their parents forgive others.“ Naomi Drew
Studies shown there is a correlation between our state of emotions and immunity. Negative emotions such as, bitterness, anger, guilt, sadness… can decrease our immune system. When the immune system is weakened we will result in an increased susceptibility to virtually every type of illness because the immune system is our primary defense against disease. Prospects for vibrant health and long life are remarkably dependent upon good attitude and healthy conscience. There is wisdom is King David’s Psalm, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8 Keeping God’s commandments, especially the ten commandments we shall experience peace, joy, health and vitality.
Another rest that many people have forgotten is resting on the Sabbath, instituted since the beginning of this earth. “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Genesis 2:1-3 You will find a great blessing as you take Sabbath off to remember the Creator. He has also given us the Sabbath as a sign of His power to heal, sustain, and redeem. On Saturday (the Sabbath day) you can worship Him with other people and be rejuvenated. Let Him work out His righteousness in you, “For we which have believed do enter into rest.” Heb. 4:3, Ex. 31:16-17.
3. E is for Exercise:
Exercise is vital and has at least 119 health benefits. When you exercise you will notice a more measured heart rate, better concentration, lower blood pressure, greater energy and a better emotional outlook. Take a walk for at least 30 minutes a day. Try to walk slowly after each meals for 15 minutes. If you do not have an exercise routine, start with simple steps. Begin gently and gradually with a routine that you can maintain. You can find your target heart rate and decide your training goals at this website: http://www.naturalphysiques.com/tools.php?itemid=2.
Don’t forget the benefit of out door activities such as gardening. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1 Tim 4:8″ Plant some organic seeds: www.highmowingseeds.com
“The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the Spirit. When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over the mind, then is the time to let living faith pierce the darkness and scatter the clouds. True faith rests on the promises contained in the word of God, and those only who obey that word can claim its glorious promises. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7. “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:22.
We should be much in secret prayer. Christ is the vine, we are the branches. And if we would grow and flourish, we must continually draw sap and nourishment from the Living Vine; for separated from the Vine, we have no strength.” {CET 127.1}
4. A is for Aqua (Water):
All of our bodily functions, including the working of our brain, depend on good hydration. 2/3 of our body weight is water. Chronic fatigue can actually be the result of dehydration! Drink minimum of 8 cups (8 oz) of pure water each day (not including tea, soft drinks or juice), more if you exercise or find yourself under significant stress. Drink enough water to keep your urine mostly clear.
“And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.” Genesis 2:10 This river is how Adam and eve refreshed, and cleansed their bodies. Your body is like a garden and needs this most precious water internally (drinking) and externally (bathing). This cleansing is received by partaking of the water of life. “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37,38.
At times there are benefits from fasting. Some might wonder how to fast. For more information about fasting (a form of cleansing), you can go on this website: http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=1996
Our soul like our body needs cleansing; by faith in the Creator we receive a flood of refreshment that cleanses us as from the inside out as an everlasting fountain.
5. T is for Temperance:
Temperance means the proper use of that which is good, and abstinence from all which is harmful. “And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things.”1 Cor. 9:25. It was in the garden of Eden that man lost his ability for self control. Gen 2:16-17. Because of this, Eve’s offspring were born with the tendency to do wrong. But our Creator would not leave us without hope. There is power in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, this power He is willing to impart to us. When we accept His life there is death to sin and we begin to walk in the power of His resurrection and in newness of life. Romans 6:4-7. “His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3. The Power of the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is the same power given to make us whole. Believe it; it will empower you unto life, health and godliness.
6. I is for Illumination (Sunshine):
Spend time outdoors each day. Sunlight in moderate amounts can lower blood cholesterol, blood sugar, fight fatigue and depression, boost the immune system, encourage production of vitamin D(making your bones strong), and purifying your blood. For example, spend time outdoors for 20 minutes each day, perhaps as part of a walking routine.
“In the beginning: God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3 “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”John 8:12. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. And, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:4-9
A major healing process is not just to turning from bad health habits, but also in turning away from doing evil. When we re-connect with our fellow man and with God, our joy will be full. “A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness.
7. O is for Oxygen (Fresh Air):
Air is an often-overlooked part of the 8 laws of health. Make an effort to be in places where the air is pure (free from pollution, smog and vog). Be sure your home is clean and well managed so that you are not breathing stale air. Open your windows and curtains, especially not to sleep with all of the windows closed. Try to be less dependent on manufactured air from air conditioners and circulated air within buildings. But most importantly, breathe deeply and remember every breath comes from our Creator and be thankful for His marvelous gift of life. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7.
8. N is for Nutrition:
Proper nutrition completes the 8 laws of health. The original diet was given by God in Eden. Genesis 1:29, 3:17. ” The Creator provides all the nutrients our bodies need. Many eat highly processed, slaughtered, preserved and refined foods. While the Maker of our bodies has designed for us a complete, colorful, antioxidazed plant-based diet from fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and vegetables. A balanced plant based diet will nourish us and prevent disease. Not only will it lengthen our lives, but it will also help us feel and look younger. God has provided a wonderful table before us:”O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that has faith in Him.” Psalms 34:8
Summary: Remember the letters of CREATION, these will help you to practice the 8 principles of health daily. If you practice these health principles you will start experiencing amazing health transformation in your life. May the Lord grant you success as you start practicing these health principles.
Closing remarks:
Many ancient Chinese kings and queens made costly efforts in the search for natural remedies that would grant them everlasting youth, beauty, and even immortality. In this day and age, if we are told that we are terminally ill, we will make every possible effort, searching for remedies to heal our bodies and postpone death. The above 8 principles of health have been proven to help many prevent and even reversed diabetes, cancer, heart diseases….etc. However if it happens that even after trying every known cure, the end of life appears imminent; there is a remedy that is neither fable nor fairy tale. That remedy is the Good News. The Good News is that our lives are in God’s hand. He knows what is best for us this short time on earth. How long we should live and when we should rest. And the exciting things is that we have eternity to look forward to. Some might ask? what shall I do to have an everlasting life? “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.”1 John 5:13 “And this is life eternal, that they might know You the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” John 17:3
This 8 Principles of Health is written by Rosebud Heun RD, MPH (Public Health Dietitian)