The other day I read an encouraging article about chocolate. According to womenshealthmag.com the savoring of one to two servings of dark chocolate per week can enhance health. Yay! Who said healthy food couldn’t taste delicious? As I read about the health benefits of dark chocolate, I thought about benefits of spending time with the Lord. The following came to mind:
Chocolate is a comfort food. The Holy Spirit is the comforter. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” John 14:26 (KJV).
Chocolate is heart-healthy. The Lord heals broken hearts. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” Psalm 147:3 (KJV).
Chocolate can calm anxiety. God’s presence reveals the lies behind anxious thoughts and transforms them with His truth. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” John 8:32 (KJV).
Chocolate can reduce cravings for unhealthy foods. Spending time with God reduces our cravings for harmful or non-beneficial behaviors. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” Ephesians 5:-10 (NKJV).
Chocolate can drop insulin levels. Being in God’s presence drops our high emotional responses from past failures and traumatic experiences. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27 (NKJV).
Chocolate can help prevent sunburns. Soaking in the presence of God will prevent our souls from being burned by rays of hatred, animosity, and condemnation. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” Ephesians 6:10-12(NKJV)).
Chocolate quiets coughs. God quiets us with His love. For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT).
Chocolate can help stop diarrhea. Being in the presence of God will stop verbal diarrhea. (I know this sounds gross, but there is nothing pretty about spewing hatred, bitterness, gossip, perversity, and condemnation.) “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” James 3:6 (NIV).
Chocolate can improve performance. Learning about our identity in the Lord helps improve all of our endeavors and relationships. “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” Philippians 2:1-4(NKJV).
Chocolate can enhance mental alertness. Spending time with the Lord and in His Word gives us clarity and renews our minds. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” Romans 12:2 (NLT).
Now I am aware of the health benefits of dark chocolate, I don’t have to feel guilty if I eat a few squares a week. But, even better, since I am aware of the sweetness of the Lord’s presence, I can partake of His guilt-free goodness without limits!
May the Lord abundantly Bless You!
Jeannie
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/benefits-of-chocolate/slide/3