Body and Soul: the True Godly Living - Coursework Example

The mind, the body, and the soul: the true godly living Heather Pendock Jon Whitmer Cornerstone OLBA06 ENG-119 (Professional Writing) 06/09/2015 Abstract. Everyone in the world today desires to strike the perfect balance of carrying out the countless, competing responsibilities in their lives. As a result, various books have been written, workshops have been developed, life coaches have been hired, and seminars have been conducted. All of these tools are aimed at educating people on how to live a well-balanced life. In the world today, the measure of success is aimed mostly at how much money one has been able to accumulate in their lifetime. However, money is not the only issue in a person’s life but rather there are duties to the family, friends, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle bestowed on the individual. The mind, the body, and the soul: the true godly living People have become so involved in chasing the American Dream that they have compromised other aspects of their lives. However, the advantages of living a decent, balanced life can never be overemphasized. A balanced life is vital to a person’s well-being, peace of mind and effectiveness. Each person has various responsibilities and duties they are required to meet and fulfill. A call to make certain a balance of these all equally important and competing interests is given to each person and, in particular, Christians. Christ expects Christians to be the light and salt of the world and as such, every Christian has a heavenly duty of living a well-balanced life. However, this is not easy, even to the most devoted Christian. Consequently, it is important to realize that failing to live a decent, balanced life has negative consequences and outcomes. Awell-balanced life entails good health, proper family, friends and work balance, as well as education and spiritual life. Health Most Christians believe in a God who heals and is committed to their being in perfect health. However, it is imperative for every person to make sure that they maintain a healthy lifestyle, as emphasized by the Apostle Paul, that physical exercise is important and beneficial to a Christian as is spiritual exercise to ensure that they maintain good health. One should set time aside to get sufficient physical exercise, For instance, pull-ups, pushups, walking and jogging in the evening. This is especially important for the well-functioning of the body organs and regular blood flow (Cameron-Bure& Schacht, 2011). Physical exercise has been found to have immense benefits to the body and the well-being of a person. To start with, it can help a person to watch on their weight. Through physical exercise, the body burns calories. An intense physical exercise can lead to burning more calories. However, where one is not able to undergo an intense workout, they can still engage their body physically through doing their house chores or using the stairs more frequently than the lift. Secondly, exercising prevents most of the health complications and diseases. Anyone who engages in physical activity irrespective of their weight can maintain a good cholesterol level or rather a high-density lipoprotein. This decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, health conditions such as stroke, depression and certain types of cancer (Cameron-Bure& Schacht, 2011). Moreover, physical exercise boosts the mood of a person. Various studies have found out that exercising kindles different brain chemicals that may leave an individual feeling better-off and more relaxed. Through physical activity, a person feels better about their look and condition that is also good for boosting one’s self-esteem and confidence. Physical exercise is particularly helpful to a person’s muscle strength and physical endurance. Through exercising activity, the body organs channel more oxygen and nutrients to the muscular tissues helping the cardiovascular system function efficiently. When the lungs and the heart are functioning efficiently, a person has the energy to do the various tasks expected of them (Cameron-Bure& Schacht, 2011). Also, one should make sure that get enough rest, seven to eight hours of sleep. It has been proven that sleep has various benefits to the body. For instance, the body regains energy and repairs some wear and tear while one is asleep. A person having problems with falling asleep or staying asleep can consider taking up some physical exercise. Exercising helps one to fall asleep quickly and lengthens the duration of sleep (Cameron-Bure& Schacht, 2011). Eating healthy foods is important for overall health. A person should watch their calorie intake as well as an undertaking that one is eating the right kinds of foods and avoiding junk foods. Eating healthy foods ensures that one is safe from contracting the so-called lifestyle diseases that have been associated with poor eating habits (Cameron-Bure& Schacht, 2011). Finding time to relax from the daily hustle and bustles of work will also be a positive step to a healthy lifestyle. An example would be finding a hobby, such as collecting postage stamps. This can help one relax from the stress of work and concentrate on something they find enjoyable (Cameron-Bure& Schacht, 2011). Family Christian life ensures and encourages every believer to be a responsible person. One area of life, where one is expected be very responsible, is family life. Family relationships are usually the best place to grow and live a healthy lifestyle. A broken family relationship creates stress and pressure and may even make a person unhealthy and unproductive. Consequently, it is imperative for one to have time to build your family relationships, and to evaluate how well the family relationships are doing. One should make time to take out their “significant other” on an occasional date. This time is vital for bonding and catching up with each other (Gelsinger, 2008). Spending time with one’s family in the evening after work is highly advisable. If one has children, they should take the time to help them with their homework, as well as talk and play with them. This will guarantee that the individual is aware of what is going on in their children’s lives and know about any challenges they may be facing. Having family outings are necessary. It creates a perfect ground where the family can bond together and learn more from each other with the older members of the family having an opportunity to impact the family values on the younger family members. A Christian family should set aside time to read the Bible and pray together (Gelsinger, 2008). Work Every person has been mandated to work and to shun from being lazy or idle. The Apostle Paul severely cautions Christians from being lazy and even advises that if one does not work then they should not eat. The Apostle gives reference to his life by saying that he makes tents and therefore encouraging Christians as well to take on work with gladness as if they are doing it for God and to keep away from laziness. Additionally, Solomon in Proverbs advice that embracing sleep and slumber will make one be struck with poverty and want. Therefore, work is an essential requirement in every person’s life. However, a person should not allow work to take up all their time since by doing so, it will lead to not taking into consideration other obligations of life. One is advised to leave time for God, family, and maintaining good health ethics such as physical exercises. Failing to maintain this balance, will have negative effects on these areas of life that are also important to a person. As such to maintain a balance between work and other obligations of life, one should plan their day with a set amount of goals. The right time to come up with these goals and objectives would be when one wakes up in the morning. One should draw out a to-do list containing the objectives and goals that they seek to meet for that particular day at work (Gelsinger, 2008). In setting the objectives for the day, one should be realistic and flexible, including setting the amount of time allocated to complete them. Unforeseen occurrences may take place making it a challenge to accomplish all of the set goals and objectives for the day, but that’s alright. Remember, a Christian is encouraged to be productive in the time that is available to them (Gelsinger, 2008). One should always remember that money is not the only issue that is important in life. Happiness and joy are more satisfying and important since no amount of money can purchase them. The richest people in the world are usually not any happier the rest of their average counterparts (Hall, 2006). Friends Every person needs friends in life. This entails taking the time to build friendly relationships with people that one meets, and being there for them. The value of friendship is very important. Instead of just spending time watching a favorite television program at home, a person could take that time to connect with friends and those in need. Listening to what one’s friends have to say, giving them one’s undivided attention is important. Every Christian is called to spend time doing things that are beneficial to both the Christian community and their friends. Spending time with one’s friends can help one learn new things and foster good relationships with others (Zimmerman, 2013). Religion Christianity is not only about religion. It is living and walking like Christ did. Therefore, there is need to strike a balance between religious life and other involvements and commitments in life. After one acknowledges Christ as their savior and Lord, a person does not get to go to heaven immediately; but rather one continues to carry on with one’s everyday life and various responsibilities and duties here on earth. Therefore, the main theme in a Christian’s life is the perfect relationship with God, which makes it imperative for one to commit time to God. Attending church services on Saturday or Sunday, morning devotions, as well as lunch hours and evening prayers are a way that a person can spend time in the presence of God. A good Christian life should include time alone to meditate and be in fellowship with God (Prince, 2006). Education Education is equally important as health, work, and relationships in a Christian life. Luke, the disciple of Christ, was a physician by profession. One should make time for continuing to improve oneself even academically, which can consequently allow one to find even a better job. Additionally education helps a person stay mentally sharp and relate better with others. One can work a full-time job and still take part-time classes when they have free time. Reading educational magazines and novels is also a great way of learning new ideas and concepts for personal and mental development (Anderson, 2001). It is fundamental that every person strive to achieve a well-balanced life. Living a balanced life starts by examining one’s life, and evaluating and deciding what is the most important undertaking in one’s life, and then setting some boundaries. People are often in different stages of their lives. As such, their focus will be different at various stages of life. For instance, one may currently be going to school, starting up a family, or a career. Therefore, a Christian is encouraged to know that there a time for everything in one life. The first step towards achieving and living a well-balanced life starts with knowing their priorities. One who has purposed to live a well-balanced life is advised to have self-discipline and always be willing to take one step at a time. When someone does not know what they want, they try to do everything all at once. This leads to a road of destruction and unbalanced life. References Gelsinger, P. (2008). The juggling act: Bring balance to your faith, family, and work. Colorado Springs, Colo: David C. Cook. Zimmerman, L. (2013). Renewed: Finding your inner happy in an overwhelmed world. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press Cameron-Bure, C., & Schacht, D. (2011).Reshaping it all: Motivation for physical and spiritual fitness.Nashville, Tenn: B&H Pub. Group. Anderson, R. S. (2001). Living the spiritually balanced life: Acquiring the virtues you admire in others. Eugene, Or: Wipf& Stock Publishers. Hall, K. (2006). A life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness. New York: American Management Association. Prince, D. (2006). Foundational truths for Christian living. 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