What is God’s plan for your life? That’s a question all dedicated Christ followers ask at
some point. But in general, what does God expect from all of us? Is it not that we serve our
neighbors, who bear the image of God, and that we are good stewards of His creation?
What gets in the way? What prevents us from achieving our God given purpose in this life?
Let me tell you a story about myself.
When I hit my 50’s, being a physician, I did what I suggest everyone does. I went to my
primary care physician for a health maintenance evaluation. I thought I was healthy. But
no!
My blood sugar was elevated. I was pre-diabetic. I was overweight. My cholesterol was
also elevated, and my blood pressure was up! My doctor started me on medication to bring
the blood sugar down; to hopefully put off, what he said, was the inevitable onset of
diabetes, and to bring my cholesterol down to a safe level. We were going to watch my
blood pressure a bit longer.
I got serious. I have seen enough of the ravages of diabetes during my career. I certainly
didn’t want to experience that personally. I gave up my Snicker’s bars, and switched to diet
Doctor Pepper. I lost about 5 pounds. I thought my wife and I were already eating pretty
well. We didn’t eat pork. We ate chicken, fish or lean beef a couple times a week, but
otherwise ate mostly a vegetarian diet. I put skim milk on my cereal each morning, had low
fat yogurt with fruit for lunch each day, and had some low fat cheese frequently with
dinner. My wife and I went on walks each evening.
After starting the medication, however, I began to get achy, which I eventually determined
was a side effect of Crestor, the statin I was taking to lower my cholesterol. I began
dreading my walks because they hurt too much. Metformin, the medication I was taking to
prevent diabetes, caused diarrhea. I needed to carefully plan my daily activities around
bathroom locations.
When I went back to my doctor, my blood pressure was still up, and it appeared that my
pre-diabetes was progressing. I was discouraged, feeling diabetes was inevitable at some
point in my 60’s.
Then my wife encouraged me to go with her to the first Appalachian Health Summit in May
of 2011, where I heard Drs. Caldwell Esselstyn from Cleveland Clinic, Colin Campbell from
Cornell, and others speak about how 70% of our illnesses were preventable, and even
reversible, simply by changing our lifestyle, focusing on diet and nutrition. In follow up, my
wife and I watched the video, Forks over Knives, featuring Drs. Esselstyn and Campbell.
Immediately, we changed our diet, and I stopped my medications (not something I would
recommend without consulting your primary care provider). My blood pressure was
normal within three weeks. My blood sugar fell to normal. My cholesterol plummeted by
35%. I lost another 15 pounds without even trying. The medication side effects all went
away. Today, I feel great, better than I can remember feeling for many years!
So now, as a follower of Christ, I want to see this happen to my brothers and sisters in the
faith, and to my neighbors in general. I want to see the image of God that dwells in us
brilliantly shining, not tarnished or veiled by chronic Western disease, which is all too often
a result of the poor, misguided choices we make. I want to see us fulfilling the purpose that
God has called us to.
So, I ask, “Are you ready for health?” If so, join me after lunch today to learn more. On
Monday, Feb 17 we begin our next series of the Live Healthy Clinic, right here in your
basement. We already have almost 50 people signed up. I would be pleased to have you
join us!
(For more information, visit: www.TheLifestyleMedicineClinic.us )