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Worry has a lot of power over your health. Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier to say, “don’t worry” than it is to actually follow the advice. That’s because a lot of people try to avoid worry without putting anything in its place. We discussed last week how dependence on the Lord is the first place to start. And doing so gives us two ways to refocus our attention — and radically change our health in the process.

The Scriptures give us two ways to keep our focus off of worry and onto far more Godly ways of thinking. Both of these concepts bind up much of what God calls us to do. And it just so happens that they can keep us far healthier until the day the Lord calls us home.

The two ways to stay healthy are simply discipline and purpose. You’ve undoubtedly heard the verse, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). That verse is obviously talking about purpose. It’s referring to a plan for the future. And it also encompasses hope — hope that there’s something better coming down the road.

But there’s more to this verse than just purpose or vision. The rest of the verse reads: “but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” This part of the verse speaks to discipline. Its focus is on our living life according to God’s Word. If you read Paul’s description (in Galatians and elsewhere) of how he lived as a Pharisee, you see the description of a very disciplined man.

Even after Paul realized that his rigorous works had no power to save him, and came to Christ through faith, he remained a very disciplined man. Moreover, he called us to be disciplined, as well. In 1 Thessalonians 4:4, Paul says, “each one of you (should) know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.”

So how does all of this help your health?

If worry and stress break your health down, purpose and discipline help to build it up.

If you read a lot of the studies done on what brings good health, you’ll see that many of them have to do with these principles. You’ll see that exercise, eating right, not smoking, and living in moderation with regard to how much you eat and drink all are part of discipline. Even the disciplines of prayer, meditation, and fasting are great for your health.

There are also studies that show how people with hope, purpose, and vision will stay healthier. People who have these characteristics have fewer sick days away from work. They also have less depression and fewer chemical dependencies. And, frankly, they have a reason to live.

How many times have you seen people die shortly after they retire? They simply weren’t able to find any purpose beyond their work. But some people thrive after they retire because they find a new sense of purpose that gives them a reason to live.

So if you’re looking for great health, the place to start is not in a pill bottle. Start with your mind. Is your mind solely dedicated to Christ? Is your mind disciplined? Have you thought of your purpose? If you can find someone with a need, it’s easy to find purpose.

And a great gift you can give your children is to teach them discipline and purpose while they’re young. It’s a great way to help them live a healthy, long life.

Steve Kroening writes for Success magazine and also publishes Wisdom’s Edge. You can get Biblical tips on health, finance, relationships, parenting, and success, delivered to your email inbox every week. Simply visit http://www.wisdomsedge.com and sign up for this free e-zine.