|
Pasta and Peace
Some time ago, my husband and I started eating less gluten. Neither of us had been diagnosed with anything like celiac disease or gluten intolerance, but after doing some research about the potential risks of inflammation and nutrient malabsorption, we decided to give it a try. Surprisingly, the pasta, bread and cookies didn’t taste different and it has now become a lifestyle. But the best part, and to our delight, is that we feel better! We don’t fully understand the science behind it, but we just know that without gluten, our tummies are much happier!
This got me thinking … what about our minds? What are we feeding them from day to day? Dr. Daniel G. Amen, in his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” states, “The constant stress from negative predictions lowers immune system effectiveness and increases the risk of becoming ill.”[1] Yikes! This means that we can literally make ourselves sick from negative thoughts, which can have negative ramifications within our bodies. The author of Proverbs affirms this by writing, “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
I wonder if you are like me and find yourself allowing lies from the enemy to steal your joy, or perhaps worry about the future instead of trusting in God. Do you have a tendency to think negatively? Allow me to encourage you to look up to the King who is still on His throne! He isn’t done with you yet and there is still work to be done.
Now, pasta and bread with gluten won’t put me in the hospital, but just like negative thoughts, they don’t do me any good either and make me feel awful.
Let’s remember His promise through the words of the prophet Isaiah, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” (Isiah 26:3, NLT)
1. Daniel G. Amen, “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Anger, and Impulsiveness” (New York, NY: Random House, 2015).
| 
