"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
HEALTH AND BEAUTY IN OUR WORLD
We are constantly exposed to the world's definition of health and beauty through television, social media, magazines, and advertisements. We observe images of flawless skin and the perfect body that tell us we need to appear younger, sexier, and physically fit. Testimonies of diets, fitness programs, and plastic surgery entice our desire to be who the world defines us. "Before and After" pictures show us that we can look better and be better if only we only try the right product or program.
As a young adult, my perception of health and beauty was focused on the world's standards. After graduating from college and starting a family, I began to struggle with my weight. Over a period of 10-12 years, I fluctuated between diet programs and unhealthy eating habits. I had the desire to look and feel better, yet I was never fully committed to making a change. Ironically, I finally started to shed the unwanted pounds during a period in my life when losing weight was the last thing on my mind. As I battled with chronic vertigo, migraine headaches, pain, fatigue, and numerous food and chemical sensitivities I would have gladly maintained my weight if I could only feel normal again. Unfortunately, this was not to be God's plan for my health journey. As I bravely faced my "new normal" and painfully sensed God's purpose in these struggles, I unveiled health and beauty from an eternal perspective.
MY "BEFORE AND AFTER"
My perspective changed four years ago when I felt desperate to try anything to improve my health. At that time, it seemed conventional medicine was only making my situation worse. This perception motivated me to change my eating habits, wean myself off prescription medications, and eventually switch to alternative healthcare. When I decided to try eating whole foods, I first eliminated all gluten, dairy, synthetic sugars, and caffeine. Then, I met with a nutritionist who placed me on an elimination diet for migraine headaches. I experimented with altering my diet for a couple of years before feeling satisfied with the results. I discovered that many food products that claimed to be "healthy" and were sold in whole food stores had preservatives and chemicals that were contributing to my headaches. As I educated myself about foods that negatively impacted my health, I decided to eliminate all processed foods and anything that converted into sugar, including fruit and grains. I have included a diet rich in legumes, a form of soluble fiber that enhances the body's natural ability to detoxify. I have also enjoyed eating fresh/steamed vegetables and juicing. When I drink a glass of freshly made vegetable juice first thing in the morning, I can feel my body absorbing the nutrients and it feels so good. It has been four years since I have had a cup of coffee, a can of soda, dessert, pizza, fast food, and other foods/beverages I once craved and ate/drank in excess, and I have not missed any of them. Once you get sugar, caffeine, and junk food out of your system, you just don't crave it anymore. Then, you are able to really "taste" and appreciate healthy foods.
As I continued with my new eating habits and introduced more holistic therapies, I noticed a physical transformation. Over a period of two to three years, I lost more than 110 pounds. Most of my weight loss was gradual; however, I did have a rapid weight loss a couple of years ago when my doctor was treating me with antibiotics for chronic Lyme disease. I lost approximately 30 pounds in 4-6 weeks. I can't say that my eating habits have "cured" my health; however, I have experienced many benefits. The bags under my eyes disappeared within 3 months of changing my diet. My skin now appears healthier and has better coloring. For years I had a constant cough, nasal congestion, and asthma symptoms. I no longer struggle with these symptoms and am off all of my asthma medications. Most of my life, I have battled daily metabolic highs and lows that seemed to revolve around my eating habits and my sugar/caffeine intake. I no longer experience sugar crashes accompanied by drowsiness and unclear thinking. My blood sugar and metabolism are the most stable they have ever been. I now experience the freedom of overcoming my addiction to sugar, chocolate, and caffeine. I have no regrets with my decision to change my diet or lifestyle.
"Before"- 2010
"After"- 2014
A LIFESTYLE TRANSFORMATION
Although I am grateful for my weight loss, this journey has had nothing to do with the size of my body. It is about being healthier and living holistically as well as overcoming my chronic health issues. In this process, I have come to the conclusion that healthy living is not about going on a diet, but it is a complete transformation of your lifestyle. A lifestyle change is a commitment to do the right thing for yourself, your body, your family, and for God. This journey is very personal and will be very different for each individual who embraces it. What works for me is not necessarily going to be for someone else.
When my health declined and I thought I was at the end of my rope, I knew I couldn't do it on my own anymore. That was when God stepped in and the transformation began. This transformation affected all parts of my life including my eating habits, how I looked at my body, and how I spent my time. I suddenly saw my life in an entirely new light and my priorities began to change. When I integrated holistic healthcare and whole eating habits into my life, I experienced a spiritual journey in which I could trust God to guide me. I sometimes made spontaneous decisions to try new things, and I discovered that it wasn't always benefiting my healing process. As I took time to pray before moving forward with new health strategies, God would lead me to make a change when the time was right. I have learned patience through this painfully slow process, and God has used these situations to sanctify me and help me to grow as a person.
GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN
In my lifestyle transformation, I have found that God uses relationships with others to sanctify and build character. When you make changes in your life that deviate from the norm and "go against the grain", you can expect some "advice" and criticism from others. When I first changed my diet, some of my family and friends initiated lighthearted teasing about my eating habits, but they soon realized I was very serious about it. At times, I have also experienced some criticism from individuals with good intentions. A few people who did not fully understand my situation assumed that I decided to go on a weight loss program and expressed concern that my health problems were a result of my "dieting." One individual indicated that I was taking my diet too far and suggested that I was deceived in believing that my alternative therapies would help me anymore than anything else I had tried. Because I am a sensitive person and a "people pleaser", I have been emotionally hurt by the perceived misconception and judgment of others; however, I believe that God used these situations to build my character and help me to solidify my beliefs. Ultimately, my priority is to do what is right for myself and to please God, not other people. Despite these experiences, I have felt very blessed by the compassion and support of my inner circle of family and friends.
BEAUTY REDEFINED
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4
Clichés like "beauty is only skin deep" and "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" do not mean much as long as we look to the world to define beauty. I spent too much of my life yearning to look and feel beautiful while falling short in comparison to the beauty of the world. As my relationship with God has developed over time, my perspective on beauty has altered. Redefined beauty marks the transformation of the ordinary and seemingly insignificant, which has been deemed lovely in the eyes of a Creator who notices when a sparrow falls and who has clothed the lilies of the field with splendor (Matthew 1:29; Luke 12:27). In light of this revelation, I have discovered beauty in the everyday moments that I once took for granted. Beauty is found in the memory of a grandmother's gentle touch, a mother's unconditional love, and a father's unwavering commitment to provide for his family. There is indescribable beauty of new life as a fragile helpless baby enters the world for the first time, seeking nourishment from my own flesh--a miracle that only a mother can truly comprehend. I find beauty in the glint of a child's eyes, belly laughs, new discoveries, and the growing pains of parenthood.
There is also beauty in the tragic aspects of life. I fondly remember my time spent on the memory care unit with the seemingly hopeless and lost--delighting in the warm touch of soft wrinkled hands and the discovery of souls emerging through fragmented memories and glimpses of the past. Beauty also emerged in the moment I feared my own life was slipping away. One afternoon I was asleep in bed, my body afflicted with piercing pain and overwhelming weakness. I opened my eyes to find my husband kneeling over me begging God for my healing. There was tender beauty in his daily sacrifices for my welfare and his steadfast love for me. I have experienced heartbreaking painful beauty at the end of life. Not long ago, I sat in the hospital room, holding my friend's hand and praying for the life I was not ready to release to eternity. I'll never forget the moment she heard my name and opened her eyes wide, distant eyes that reflected kingdom glory just around the corner. All these things have been painfully beautiful, a paradox in the making when eternity transcends worldly beauty and nothing is the same ever again.
BEAUTY FROM THE ASHES
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
In recent years, God has placed a message on my heart that tribulation and suffering can be a conduit for Him to build our character, prune our lives, make us more like Jesus, and to reveal more of His glory. I have recently studied scripture that compares suffering to a silversmith refining silver (1 Peter 1:7; Psalm 66:10-12; Isaiah 48:9-11). The beauty of pure silver surfaces when it is passed through scorching fire. Just the same, we are purified and made more beautiful in the inferno of our own suffering. The Bible testifies how God has used suffering through men like Joseph and Job to reveal a greater plan behind the scenes, woven into the tapestry of affliction. Although they could not see God's plan at the time of their horrific circumstances, they held fast to the promises of God. These men were later blessed for their steadfast refusal to curse God or turn away from Him. Jesus Himself endured unimaginable suffering as He was brutally beaten and hung on a cross. His followers couldn't comprehend a God who would allow the weak, the beaten, and the murdered to transform into power, majesty, and new life. Christ's own affliction changed time and history forever. There is ultimate beauty that demonstrates itself in More of Christ and Less of us.
BEAUTY TRANSFORMED
The world's definition of health and beauty is fleeting, a chasing of the wind that is here today and blown away tomorrow like chaff. When God enters the picture, everything changes and beauty is transformed into His likeness. God's transformation in my life has not been easy but He has carried me through. The past four years have been overwhelming for me; however, I am in awe of God's powerful work in my situation. I wouldn't trade His revelations for anything. As I reflect the years, I can see how my perspective has changed through my prayer life. Early on, my prayers were desperate pleadings with God that cried out to Him "why is this happening to me?" Later, my prayers reflected the beginning of acceptance for my circumstances as I asked God to show himself to me and help me to see how He was using my suffering for His purpose. Now, my prayers consist of asking God to show me how He can use my circumstances for His glory and to help others who are suffering. A couple of weeks ago, I was reflecting on my journey and wrote down a list of the lessons God has been teaching me through my recent experiences:
- I am here on earth for a temporary assignment and my real home is in eternity
- I will be rewarded in heaven for my suffering
- God has created me the way I am for His purpose
- When I degrade myself, compare myself to others, or wish I could change who I am, I am rejecting His beautiful creation
- Christ conquered death on the cross, therefore I no longer need to be afraid of death
- I need not worry about what others think of me because Christ, my defender, redeems all things
- God tends to use weakness and things of minimal worldly value for His kingdom so He must have something magnificent in store for me
- Thanksgiving and gratitude are the ultimate gifts I can give back to God
- Praise releases incredible power
- Everything, both good and bad, is for God's purpose and will bring Him glory
As I penciled this list in my journal, I experienced a powerful release in my spirit. There is immense freedom in looking at your life through the lens of eternity. God is my hope and my strength. His truth diminishes the beauty of the world and exposes His everlasting beauty. Everything pales in comparison to Christ's eternal glory.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11
RESOURCES
For more information and practical tips for nutrition and the benefits of a healthy diet, you can visit Karen Hurd's blog: http://www.karenhurd.com/
Here are some my favorite books that express beauty from an eternal perspective and describe how God uses our suffering to sanctify us:
