Every Day Wisdom

Every Day Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

In your prayer time, what do you pray for each day? Perhaps it’s for protection for you and your loved ones, strength in difficult circumstances, or for success in your work, school, or personal projects.

Do you ask for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discernment in all things?

Tell Me What To Do Here, Lord!

We may cry out in times of need, frantically looking for God’s answer in the wind, earthquake, or fire (1 Kings 19:11-13). Though seeking and depending on Him is only one part of what He wants from us, God’s overall desire is for a relationship that grows more intimate each day.

Intimacy develops in the seeking of His wisdom in all things daily. It’s similar to our bodies needing a steady stream of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the form of nutritious food, water, and perhaps supplements. The body is able to run most effectively and naturally when it has access to these beneficial elements. However, when the body is starved of these necessities, its overall performance suffers.

When we seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit each day, we are not simply asking God for answers to each problem and then looking for signs, but our minds become the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), and we are gifted with His wisdom.

It’s also similar to a woman of God who knows her husband intimately. She doesn’t fret in tumultuous times, knowing she is under the loving provision and protection of her husband, as he is submitted to Christ in leadership and wisdom for their marriage. It mirrors our relationship with Christ, as we are His bride, and He is our bridegroom. We are under His care and protection, where all our needs are met each day. And there is no worry nor concern, for He “renews my life and He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake…I fear no danger for you are with me.” (Psalm 23)

Dreams and Visions

You may be praying often for dreams and visions. While dreams and visions can be beneficial, they’re ineffective if we are not praying for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discernment in application and interpretation. Otherwise, we become spiritually vulnerable to lusting for the potential entertainment or pridefulness of a received dream or vision from God.

Without wisdom and discernment, how could you know what a God-given dream or vision means? No man knows the mind of the Lord apart from His revelation to him through the Holy Spirit:

In addition, we can misinterpret dreams and visions when we allow our feelings to lead. God’s Word says “The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9

As an aside, people do receive dreams and visions from the Lord who are not believers, and He leaves no doubt as to what they mean. For instance, many Muslims are experiencing Jesus Christ in dreams and visions, and giving their hearts to Him. Mission Frontiers magazine reports that out of 600 Muslim converts, 25% experienced a dream that led them to their conversion. Other recent sources report higher percentages at 40-70%.

Give Us Today Our Daily Bread

Jesus shows us how to pray, as He said in His prayer to the Father, “Give us today our daily bread.” Give us what we need for today. Give us your mind, your wisdom, and discernment, for you make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. Isaiah 46:10

We should be praying for Godly insight, wisdom, and discernment. Not just on a situation by situation basis, but every day. And when we ask for wisdom, He never denies that petition: 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

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Health

Energy Drinks: What You Need to Know

Energy drinks seems to be in the hand of a fast-growing number of people these days, whether they are needing a boost to power through to the next activity, or to simply wake up in the morning.

What’s In Energy Drinks?

An energy drink typically contains large amounts of caffeine, added sugars, other additives, and legal stimulants (guarana, taurine, and L-carnitine).

The major stimulant in most energy drinks is caffeine. They usually contain 80–150 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces, which is equivalent to 5 ounces of coffee or two 12-ounce cans of caffeinated soda.

While energy drinks prove to improve memory, increase alertness, elevate mood, and improve athletic performance, there are dangers.

Health Dangers of Energy Drinks

Drinking energy drinks can cause serious health problems, particularly involving the heart and nervous system, due to high levels of caffeine and sugar. Risks are heightened by the potential for unregulated additives and the dangerous practice of mixing them with alcohol. 

Cardiovascular and Neurological Risks 

• Heart complications: The high caffeine content can lead to increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and heart palpitations. In some cases, it can trigger serious heart conditions, such as irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or even heart failure, especially in people with pre-existing heart problems. A case study linked excessive energy drink consumption to severe heart failure in a young adult.

• Central nervous system effects: The large dose of stimulants can harm the nervous system, potentially leading to anxiety, jitteriness, and insomnia. In severe cases of caffeine overdose, more serious symptoms like seizures, confusion, and hallucinations may occur.

• Withdrawal symptoms: Regular consumption can lead to dependence. When intake is stopped abruptly, withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, marked fatigue, and brain fog can occur.

• Heightened risks for youth: Adolescents are especially vulnerable because their cardiovascular and nervous systems are still developing. Medical experts advise children and teens to avoid energy drinks entirely. 

Metabolic and Dental Issues

• Type 2 diabetes risk: Most energy drinks contain high amounts of added sugar. A single can may exceed the daily recommended sugar intake, causing blood sugar levels to spike. Over time, high sugar consumption contributes to weight gain and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

• Dental erosion: The high sugar content and acidity of energy drinks can erode tooth enamel, increasing the risk of cavities and other dental problems.

• Kidney damage: Excessive energy drink consumption has been linked to potential kidney injury and dehydration. The diuretic effect of caffeine increases urination, which can lead to dehydration, especially during exercise.

• Sugar-free alternatives: "Diet" or "zero-calorie" versions, while avoiding sugar, often contain artificial sweeteners. Overconsumption of these sweeteners may also be linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic issues. 

Risks of Mixing With Alcohol

• Masked intoxication: Combining energy drinks with alcohol is particularly dangerous. The stimulant effect of the energy drink can mask the depressant effects of the alcohol, leading a person to feel less intoxicated and drink more heavily.

• Increased risky behavior: The combination of a stimulant and a depressant impairs judgment and increases the likelihood of engaging in risky activities, such as drunk driving, binge drinking, and aggressive or impulsive behavior.

• Cardiovascular strain: The mix of alcohol and stimulants puts added strain on the heart, raising the risk of irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and heart attack. 

Unregulated Ingredients

• Variable caffeine content: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate energy drinks as thoroughly as medicines. Caffeine levels can vary widely between brands, and some herbal additives like guarana and ginseng may add even more caffeine, which is not always clearly labeled.

• Unknown long-term effects: The safety and long-term effects of many additives in energy drinks, such as taurine and guarana, have not been well-studied, especially in high daily amounts. 

Consult with your licensed medical or holistic doctor before consuming energy drinks.

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_{†All health information in the articles is exclusively gathered from clinical/medical resources that have been industry vetted, with no conflict of interest in the information they present/publish.} 

_{*Holy Nutrition does not diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Information provided is not medical advice and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider or medical practitioner for any health concerns, questions, or before making any decisions related to your health. Individual health conditions and needs may vary, and therefore, professional medical advice is essential for personalized guidance. Holy Nutrition is not responsible for any harm or damage resulting from the user's reliance on the information contained in the articles.}