“You should try as much as you can to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge; and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add the ability to hold on; and to your ability to hold on, add service for God; and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love. If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you never to be useless. (2 Peter 1:5-8 ICB)
The life expectancy of humans has increased dramatically over the last century. In the 1800’s most people didn’t live past fifty. The average lifespan of an American is now about 78 years. Longevity may have increased dramatically, but not all those extra years are healthy. The average health span--the years a person lives without chronic diseases or disabilities--is still lagging.
Studies have shown that certain factors increase your health span. Good nutrition, exercise, limiting alcohol intake, never smoking, living with purpose, having good relationships---all contribute to wellness. None of this is new information. Most of us know what it takes to maintain health and prevent degeneration. Medical interventions can prolong life, but health is still dependent on personal choices.
Longevity without health feels pointless. We yearn to live each and every day well--with vitality, self-determination, and the capacity to care for ourselves. Our lifestyle choices reflect our core commitments. Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, kindness, --all contribute to wellness. When our steps are God-directed, when we stay on the wholesome path, all our days become worthwhile.
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