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Simple Trust
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by Celeste Lee |
Trust has been defined as placing confidence in
or depending upon someone or something. In the complex ever changing
world in which we live, people put their trust in many things.
What should people trust in? Is there anything or anybody that
can be trusted—completely trusted? Someone who is always
the same—someone who is strong enough to deal with the toughest
situation? Something that is absolute no matter where it is or
what it encounters?
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:8 that Jesus is the same yesterday,
and today, and forever. Also, in Malachi 3:6 the Lord says, "I
change not." The Bible, our guide book, tells us in whom we
can trust and how to trust Him. Proverbs 3:4; "Trust in the
Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." |
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Who or what is to be trusted |
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God does not change, neither do His laws. God has
a plan for our health—eight simple laws. One of these eight
laws that is often overlooked is trusting in God. Trusting not
only that He will restore and preserve our health, but trusting
also in Him in every area of our lives. "Thou will keep him
in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth
in thee." Isaiah 26:3. If the mind is kept on Jesus it will
have peace. Peace of mind is a great contributing factor to maintaining
or restoring health. |
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Peace result of trust in God |
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Worry, anxiety, discontent, depression, gloominess,
all have a negative influence on the body. These kinds of emotions
tend to break down our life forces by inhibiting the systems of
the body to function properly and actually invite decay, disease,
and death. Every cell in our body is affected by our emotions such
as fear, hate, jealousy and anger. These emotions stimulate some
organs while others are inhibited. |
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Lack of trust creates a negative
influence on the body |
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Today in society the term most often used to describe
mental taxation is stress. Stress can be caused by many different
situations: new job, divorce, financial troubles, and the everyday
situations that all of us must face. Stress has become such a factor
in the cause of sickness of people today that it is estimated that
70 to 80 percent of all illness is due to stress. To understand
how this could be true it is necessary to realize what happens
to the body when there is stress. Just what does stress do to the
body? |
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Stress |
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When the mind is made aware of something that is
frightening, dangerous or even depressing it will send signals
to the nervous system, in charge of hormones and other chemicals
causing a negative reaction throughout the system. The adrenal
gland receives a signal to release adrenalin. Adrenalin in turn
will increase the heart rate and raise blood pressure sometimes
causing a heart attack or stroke. Large amounts of blood sugar
and oxygen are carried through the blood stream to the areas of
the body that are directly involved in flight or fight situations.
A high amount of adrenalin will cause the release of fats which
clog the arteries, slowing the blood flow and eventually resulting
in the heart being damaged. This is the physical result of great
mental stress.
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Chemical reactions from stress |
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What happens when the mind is continually worrying?
The result is not as quickly realized as with great fear or danger,
but if the worry or stress continues for a length of time more
damage will occur to the body. Some of the things that occur due
to continual worry are: sodium retention which leads to high blood
pressure, removal of proteins from cell structures which in turn
cause wounds to heal slower. An increase of sodium results in potassium
and hydrogen being flushed out of the system. Due to the decrease
of potassium in each cell, the cells function less and less, and
eventually die. The long term effect of cells dying eventually
will effect the organs of the body. |
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Other negative results |
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The immune system is affected by the stress on the
mind. The immune system is strengthened by endorphin, a hormone
secreted by the brain. The release of this hormone is reduced when
stress occurs. Thus virus and even cancer cells can reproduce in
the system. |
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Immune system affected |
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The word of God has much to say on how mental attitude
affects the health of the body. Proverbs 17:22 says, "a broken
spirit drieth the bones." A broken spirit is one that is depressed,
discouraged, etc. These emotions and others like them cause the
bones to dry up. What effect does dried bones have on the body?
The red blood cells carry the nutrients and oxygen through out
the entire body. The red blood cells are made by the bone marrow
of certain bones. If the bones dried up and did not produce the
red blood cells, the body would not receive the nutrients or oxygen
necessary for it to survive. Even some of the white blood cells,
which are part of the immune system, are produced in the marrow
of bones. Thus not only would the body not receive nutrients and
oxygen, but the body would be greatly hindered in fighting infection
if the bone marrow dried up. So we are enlightened in Proverbs 17:22, that "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine". |
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Attitude affects health |
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Calcium and phosphorus are both stored in the bones. Calcium
is essential for many body functions, including strengthening the
heart, soothing the nerves, and the vital role it plays in teeth
and bones.
Proverbs 14:30 tells us: "A sound heart is the life of the flesh:
but envy the rottenness of the bones." Often in the Bible, heart
represents the mind. A sound mind is life to us while envy causes
rottenness in our bones. Our attitude has a positive or a negative
influence upon the body and the functions of the body, that is often
times not realized. |
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Just as there is a negative reaction in the body due to stress,
there is a positive reaction from trusting in God. Some of the
positive responses that trust in God will promote in the body are:
1) Cheerfulness promotes circulation and helps in the digestion process.
2) The will directed in the right direction will give energy to the
nerves and soothe them.
3) The immune system is strengthened by trusting in God. |
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Benefits received from trust in God |
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How can one learn to trust in God? Trust is developed
in earthly situations by knowing someone and how they will react
in certain situations. So it is with God, we must learn of His
character to be able to trust Him. Faith or trusting comes from
hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17) To think on things that
are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, (Philippians 4:8), will give peace of mind. To see God's goodness and love to
everyone causes a response of trust. May each one look to Jesus
and see His love, compassion, kindness, and concern for them alone
and trust their lives to His wonderful plan for them. |
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Learning to trust God |
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"Come unto me, all ye that labour 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 ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:28, 29. God promises to keep our mind, Philippians 4:6, 7 tells
us "to be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Won't
you taste and see that the Lord is good today, and receive the
peace of mind from God that is promised to all who will place their
trust
in Him. He has overcome the world, John 16:33, and has all power
in heaven and earth, Matthew 28:18. Give your body the help it
needs to get well or to stay healthy by trusting all to God.
(List below promises from the word of God that are special to you). |
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Promises of peace of mind |
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