"Drink water."
He whispered it. I could have ignored it. But I heard it and I knew what He meant.
My friend and companion, the Holy Spirit, was answering my request to guide me into truth. To tell me the answer. To grant me wisdom.
When the H.S. speaks, He may only say a word or two, but if your heart is open and listening, He will gather 100 previous conversations, questions, ponderings, insights, and dispense a download of understanding.
You see, for years now I have been having some urinary and digestive issues that have plagued me. Very unpleasant! I have been to a PCP, several naturopaths, a urologist, and a gastroenterologist. I've also done my own research. I've had a CT scan. A few things have helped, but nothing has solved my issues.
I have asked myself many times, has anything in my lifestyle changed that may be causing or contributing to my physical problems? Three things have changed: I became far less consistent with exercise. I have become more lax with sweets. And my intake of carbonated water (what I call "soda water") increased dramatically. Like from once in a while to at least once a day, if not twice. I still drink 32 ounces of plain filtered water first thing in the morning (followed by coffee), but the rest of the day I drink "soda water" like Zevia and Poppi, club soda, and seltzer waters. The doctors have warned me that the carbonation may be irritating my bladder. I didn't want to accept that.
I also know that the chronic exposure to microplastics and off-gassing in bottled water beverages and the aluminum in canned ones is detrimental to health and I should really back away from those when it's so unnecessary.
So when the Holy Spirit whispered, "Drink water," I knew He was telling me the simple truth about what I need to do if I want to reduce my bladder irritation and improve my prospects for a long, high quality life.
The issue now is OBEDIENCE. Am I going to obey the Holy Spirit and heed His command? I have obeyed now for 24 hours!
Every year, I ask God for a phrase or word for the year, and I often get both. My word this year is "discipline." Discipline is an element of the fruit of the Spirit, self-control.
Giving up carbonated water and drinking plain filtered water instead, is going to require discipline and self-control. I don't believe He is asking for rigidity-- I will likely have a soda water on occasion. But I am the one with the power of choice to make wise health decisions. We all know His way is better, and when He tells you something, it is pure wisdom. Best to apply it if you want good results in life.
I am working on the sugar and exercise too!
What is the Holy Spirit whispering to you today?