Living By Design

Rather than being created to live primarily by instinct, we were created not only with a body and a soul but also with a human spirit that was designed to house His spirit. The spirit is the real you. The body is the result of intelligent design. It is from our spirit – inhabited by God’s spirit – that we were designed to live. This is living by design – God’s design.

GOD'S DESIGN:
Every part of our being is connected to and influenced by every other part. The soul affects the body; the body affects the soul; and the spirit serves as the unifying core – around which all other aspects of our being revolves.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.(Romans 1:20)

Of all things found in nature, however, the crowning jewel of all He made is the human being. It is by design and not by chance that we have been brought here. The body allows us to relate to the world through our senses and to function in our environment. However, the human body, by itself, is merely an “earth suit” that houses our soul and the human spirit. It is strictly designed to live on this earth, and in very limited places.

THE HUMAN SOUL:
The soul stands between the spirit with its openness to the spiritual world, and the body, which is open to the physical world….having the power of choice as to which shall control the entire man - Jessie Penn-Lewis.

The human soul gives us conscious awareness of what is happening around us, feelings to show us what is happening within us, and a will to make decisions based on what we conclude is “true” about what is best for us. Emerging from the soul are the roots of “personality” and “self-awareness”. The soul gives us the capacity to think - even to think about our thoughts - and contemplate our existence and being. Our “minds” gather, process, and evalutate huge amounts of data while formulating complex views of the world, others, God, and ourselves. The “will” is the great command and control center of the soul – where all of our conscious decisions are made. The will makes “the call” after considering imput from the mind, the spirit, and the emotions.

Emotion are reactions to what is going on in the mind and body, acting like a thermometer that reveals our souls inner condition. Emotions were not designed to be our guide, but rather gauges. Therefore, emotions should not be used to guide our life. They must be interpreted alongside of truth, and then wisdom and our will should be used to act accordingly. Sometimes our choices will be in accordance with our emotions if the emotions align with truth. Sometimes we must act contrary to our emotions when they do not align with truth.

Understandably, emotions have unusual power to affect the health of our bodies. A single emotion sets in motion a complex series of chemical reactions that impact every cell in the body. When we train ourselves to use our minds, rather than emotions, we can make choices based on what the Word says is spiritually true – and every aspect of our soul and body benefit.

THE HUMAN SPIRIT:
Perhaps nothing is as intriguing or elusive as the human spirit. It is a mystery in so many ways, yet God designed the human spirit as the means to guide and control our soul via His indwelling spirit. In the design of the human spirit, we see a relection of the heart of God, for He designed it as a vessel in which a human and God could – and should – live together, united in perfect intimacy. In this way, the human spirit can serve as the bridge between man and God. It’s the place where the things of the body and soul mesh, with familiarity and confidence; the place where all of our deepest needs for communion and love are fulfilled.

In the beginning, with Adam and Eve, this was the original design, but it didn’t last. The deception from the lips of the destroyer enticed them and carried them away, giving birth to sin, and when the sin was complete, it ushered in death(James 1:14-15).
They took a step away from the design, seeking to become more like God himself, even though they were already like Him in many ways, having been made in God’s image (Genesis 1;26)

This decision has had devastating earthly and eternal consequences for them and all of their decendents; Death.

First & foremost came spiritual death. The very life of God - His spirit -left them. Now, instead of unity with God, humanity would forever be born spiritually dead, separate from the creator - the only One who possesses the wisdom necessary to live life as designed. Like a tidal wave that devastates every shore of our being, this core spiritual problem has been the norm ever since. We are born spiritually separated from the One who knows us and loves us most.

Second, our souls now operate in a vacuum of truth and guidance. We can only navigate naturally, rather than supernaturally.

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (Corinthians 2:14)

We now choose good and evil based on what appeals to our souls and the urges of our bodies (which are continually stimulated and deceived by the world around us). Humanity has devised and created a vast array of devises to try to fill that vacuum-everything from religion to war - and yet the emptiness haunts us.

On a grander scale, our societies are filled with masses who are doing what seems right in their own eyes… but the efforts lead only to more death(proverbs 16:25)

In the midst of it all we find ourselves in desperation. Trying whatever we can in our own strength, we search to find (even in the smallest measure) the purpose and peace that were so abundant in God’s original plan. Our attempts, however, only make things worse; we become disheartened and disillusioned. Many face discouragement and depression daily.

Even the foods we eat have been severely compromised, lacking vital nutrients to sustain our bodies and provide the nutrients we need. Many of the foods available today are highly processed and low in nutritional value. Many foods are actually highly addictive, making us slaves and dragging us into the bondage of obesity and diabetes.

And finally, at the end of it all, each of us face the certainty of physical death (Genesis 3:17-19).
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Death may come in the instant of an “untimely” accident, through the pain and decay of disease, or at the “natural” end of a long life. But let there be no doubt; our heart will beat it last, our lungs will expel a final puff of air, and the blood will begin to cool in our veins… and our spirit and souls will enter eternity…either with or without the Spirit of God.

SPIRIT, SOUL & BODY ARE ONE:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edge sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.(Hebrews 4:12)
A spiritual problem can present itself as a physical problem- the mind, will, and emotion of the soul, while distinct, have inseparable impact on the spirit and the body. We are all made up of a spirit, soul, and body; many parts, but all members of one body, all interconnected and affecting each other. When you are having problems with one of the parts of your being, it will definitely affect the others. If you have a spiritual problem, it can affect both your soul and body. Likewise, a physical problem can also affect your soul.

But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if onE member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 CORINTHIANS 12:24-27)

God has created each of us in unique ways for unique purposes, and He’s given each of us specific gifts and skills to fulfill purposes in our life. When we work within these gifts and talents, our efforts seem to come naturally and easily.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we would walk in them. (EPHESIANS 2:10)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.(PSALM 139:23-24)

The roots of our deepest hungers are planted in a God-created desire to find fulfillment in Him. He created our souls to hunger and thirst for righteousness. He created our bodies to find satisfaction in certain kinds of foods that give energy, health, and protection to our "earth suits" - suits that are really only temporary tools for service and worship during our brief stay on this planet. The foods we eat supply the carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that our bodies need to function properly just as we must feed our spirit and soul. We need to learn how to nourish our physical bodies properly.

The human body is a facinating and intriguing endeavor. The ballet of molecules and cells that dance with such beauty and precision within us make the movements of the galaxies pale in comparison, each working in harmony with others, each cell responding to feedback from the whole human organism.

Today our stressful lives, polluted environment, depleted and highly processed diet, and overmedicated society have been attacking the very core of our health and our bodies. Overwhelmingly, medical literature points to the fact that the human body's natural antioxidant system vitally needs nutrients that supplements provide in order to do its job effectively. The absolute best way to optimize the natural defense systems is by supplementing the diet with high-quality, complete, and balanced nutritional supplements.

I have been taking health supplements, along with low glycemic food products, for some time now with amazing results. It is impossible to get all of the nutrients our bodies need from food sources alone. I feel my spirit and soul healing as my body heals and know that they are all connected. I truely believe that as I heal in body, mind and soul I will make my life better and therefore the lives of those around me also. Peace and happiness for the world can start with just one human being. IT STARTS WITH YOU!

Please go to my website for more information on health supplements. Contact me and I will work out a health plan specifically for you with a health assessment.
www.dianapeterson.usana.com

Until later, with much peace and happiness!