Though shall not commit adultery could also be stated thou shall be faithful. Thou shall honor thy covenants. Thou shall learn to communicate to resolve or even prevent discord. Thou shall not turn to wrongdoings for gratification when what you have doesn’t feel fulfilling or the devil tempts you in your moment of weakness. Then right we go right back to the first commandment, thou shall have no other Gods before me. It always goes right back to having love and faith in God. In all our weak moments and struggles, remember the 1st commandment.
As I reflect on this Holy Friday, I think of Judas of Iscariot, Son of Simon. Judas made a covenant to follow Jesus, but when tempted with money, he committed adultery. Was he ever fully married to Jesus though? As I was reading the last supper in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John I came across a very interesting line: Judas of Iscariot, Son of Simon. Son of Simon? In doing my research I discovered that Judas was the son of Simon, the Pharisee that Jesus healed of leprosy. This was also the home where Jesus had dinner 2 nights before Passover that the woman pour very expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, head, and hands and cleaned them with her hair. The importance of Judas being the son of a Pharisee shows that he had access to where they met and the Pharisees had an insider to provide them with information about Jesus and his whereabouts. So was Judas ever fully committed to Jesus?
The point of this is for us to look in the mirror at ourselves, our relationships/commitments, and of course our relationship with God. Are you fully committed or just watching and waiting to make a decision which is like planning to be unfaithful? Judas was just watching and waiting for the right time to deliver Jesus. He never fully committed himself. The bloodshed by our Lord Jesus Christ purifies our sins, our lack of commitment, and our injustices and makes a way for us to be fully committed to our Lord God.
God even created an organ in our body that not only stores and filters blood, but also makes white blood cells that will protect us from infection! The spleen, located in your lower left ribcage, is this amazing organ. An organ is a part of the body that performs a particular job to benefit the whole system. In reflecting on the first paragraph of how Thou shall not commit adultery could be written, I’d imagine that communication and cooperation between the other organs are quite important for any of the organs to work properly.
Our spleen, part of the gut’s function, reminds us to filter out what we do not need and keep our protective system strong. How do you know if your spleen is not working properly?
According to the Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/enlarged-spleen/symptoms-causes/syc-20354326 symptoms of an enlarged spleen include:
An enlarged spleen typically causes no signs or symptoms, but sometimes it causes:
- Pain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder
- A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach
- Low red blood cells (anemia)
- Frequent infections
- Bleeding easily
How can you aid your spleen? Often a liver cleanse as we had previously discussed will also help the spleen as these two organs work together. I found the following information on https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-enlarged-spleen#dietary-tips
Foods to eat and avoid
There are no current recommendations on specific dietary interventions that may reduce the risk of developing an enlarged spleen.
Still, eating a diet that includes plenty of the following foods is likely to improve your overall health and protect against disease:
- Fruits: berries, citrus fruits, cherries, bananas, apples
- Vegetables: spinach, broccoli, asparagus, peppers
- Starchy vegetables: sweet potatoes, butternut squash
- Whole grains: oats, quinoa, brown rice, barley
- Healthy fats: olive oil, avocados, full-fat yogurt, unsweetened coconut
- Legumes: black beans, lentils, chickpeas
- Seeds, nuts, and nut butters: cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds
- Animal proteins: fish, shellfish, chicken, eggs, turkey
- Spices and herbs: basil, turmeric, thyme, oregano
Additionally, limiting or cutting out the foods and drinks below can help protect against the development of diseases, including conditions linked to an enlarged spleen:
- Sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, milkshakes, iced tea, energy drinks
- Fast food: french fries, burgers, pizzas, tacos, hot dogs, nuggets
- Sweets: candy, sugary baked goods, ice cream
- Ultra-processed snack foods: chips, crackers, pretzels
- Processed meat products: bacon, salami, tinned ham, sausages
There are many ways that we can “cheat” on ourselves by not being committed to our health 100%. Are you fully committed to yourself? Do you take the opportunity to cheat yourself or look for ways out of loving yourself 100%? I know it’s hard. I can only talk about this because I struggle with it, too. Remember how Judas’ story ended? He killed himself. That is not how our story is going to end. At the last supper, Jesus took the cup and said drink of this. It is the blood of the new covenant which you can read in John 13-16. This I leave with you as the ultimate message.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 NIV
Voyage to HEAL Weekly Task
Stretch: Let’s keep it simple and lay on the foam roller or towel along your spine with arms stretched wide as we open our hearts to loving ourselves and being faithful to our wellness.
Exercise: Activate the pelvic floor and core, squat and stick your bottom out, keep your knees over your toes, and raise your arms up. Try to hold chair position for 30 seconds at various points of your day. Remind yourself that you are staying committed to yourself.
Habitual Change: Stay out of the middle of the grocery store. The healthy things are normally along the perimeter.
Perspective enlightenment: I am a child of God with a covenant to take care of myself.
Journaling option: Reflect on how have you cheated yourself? What temptations seem to be relentless? Ask God for a mantra to strengthen your commitment to yourself.
This week’s blog post coincides with week 8: Arm Stretches/ I am enough. You can purchase this week in the store on the webpage. You can also purchase the Inner Peace Meditation CD or start your full online Voyage to HEAL. Click here to visit the store. Most importantly, start being kind to yourself always. As God gives you grace, so should you give it to yourself. Stop fighting yourself. Instead, love yourself.
Godspeed on your Voyage to HEAL
Love,
Jocelyn