“Looking healthier in 10 days”

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way… Please test your servants for 10 days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food…. At the end of the 10 days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. Daniel 8, 12, 13, 15

Verse reflections:  In just 10 days the official could see a difference between Daniel and his friends and the other chosen men of the kingdom.  It is vital that we eat our 4-5 fruits and vegetables a day and leave off the wine and rich foods.  This is what God has been telling me for a year but it took me a while to listen.  And yet, I feel like He gives us permission to not be perfect- thus the plus one option.  These verses go on to say that Daniel was ten time wiser than anyone in the kingdom.  If we want all that God can give us our choices matter.  This is as clear as anything else in the Bible and yet we keep pouring foods into our bodies that affect our health and our minds.  Why?  Why does the short-term fun out-weigh the long term health we know we will gain?  We are just flat out crazy I think.  That brownie, those chips, those cookies, the sauces… why do we keep going back when the grilled veggies and meats are just as awesome?  I know the sugar and carbs give us a quick flare of happiness both physically and mentally but then it crashes us and creates a craving for more just like drugs.  I will say that eating healthy has eliminated my cravings.  It has been so much easier to eat healthy because I am eating healthy.  Sounds simple?  Well, I had to get past the first weeks of cravings before I got here.  And it is only by God’s power and my devotions that I could.

Prayers:  Father, allow me to be Daniel.  To crave vegetables, to want to put healthy foods in my body and to KNOW that those foods will stand the test of time.  Even 10 days of eating like Daniel will make a difference that others can see.  Give me the wisdom that Daniel had, ten times those around him eating the rich foods.  Give me the courage, the power to make Daniel’s choices.  Thank You for the lack of cravings I have now. I love Your vegetables, I love Your fruit.  Continue to give me the desires for these foods and allow me to see the difference that solidifies this life change I am making.  I want to give You the power to give me health.  I want to give You the power to give me wisdom.  And so, I am rededicating my choices of foods to You.  I am going to concentrate on eating vegetables like Daniel.  Thank You Father.