Overcoming Betrayal

Never want to miss an issue of Holy Nutrition? Click here to subscribe! ✉️

Today's newsletter is sponsored by…

  _{We’re on a mission to create doctor-approved, cutting-edge solutions for your head-to-toe health and beauty transformation.}

Today's devotional is from Ashley Bradberry, contributing writer, wife, mother, and co-leader of Alabaster House Church (with her husband Matt), located in Charlotte, NC.

Recently, we received the following question:

“I feel my friends, family, and work colleagues are constantly betraying me. Some days, I just can’t bear it and I want to walk away from the faith. What can I do?”

Jesus was betrayed, and not just by Judas. Many of His disciples left Him in His time of need. Peter denied Him multiple times. His own brother didn't even believe in Him until He was resurrected. Jesus came, not only to give us a model to follow on how we should live, but to also show us what will happen when we choose to live like Him in a world full of sin. If it happened to Jesus- the perfect, sinless, spotless Son of Man, how much more will it happen to us? If anyone understands how you feel by betrayal, it's Jesus.

Community is important but you need to allow the Holy Spirit to help you discern. Not everyone is meant to be close to your heart. Not everyone has your best interest in mind. And one of Satan’s favorite places to attack is in isolation. Yet at the same time, people who do love you and care for you are capable of hurting you. We are not perfect.

We cannot live an offensive life. We must live a forgiving one. Because just as much as people have hurt you, you have done the same to others. We all have, and we are all in need of God’s forgiveness. And when we surrender this to Him, He will continue to sanctify us, making us more like Him, making us less offended and less offensive.

Jesus promised:

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33

We are to expect betrayal. It shouldn't catch us off guard. If it's catching you off guard and it's affecting you to the point where you are tired of your faith, you've taken your eyes off Jesus. Yes, betrayal hurts. Yes, the things of this world can truly hurt us deep down, but it shouldn't affect our faith in God. He is a good God, no matter what happens to us.

We live in a sinful world where people have the freedom to choose and unfortunately most people don't choose God’s way. But we can. And when we choose God’s way, He gets the glory. He gets the reward He so deserves for His suffering. The Christian life is far from easy, but its reward is greater than anything the world could ever give us.

And if this has resonated in your heart today, you can pray right now:

Lord Jesus, I come to you in a posture of humbleness and absolute surrender to you. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness for my sinful disobedience. Show me who I need to forgive today. Please comfort my pain. May I keep my eyes on you, Christ Jesus, knowing that the Father didn’t spare you, so that He could one day look at me and see you within. I pray all of these things in your powerful and almighty name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Love reading Holy Nutrition? Click here to share with friends and family ✉️

Health

Coffee: The Surprising Health Benefits

Coffee is the most widely used beverage globally and contains many bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, triterpenes, organic acids, amino acids, hormones, and fatty acids.

Research suggests that regularly drinking coffee may play a role in preventing chronic health conditions such as inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Coffee also has many health benefits including antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer potential and anti-cancer properties.

Here's a more detailed look at the benefits.

Coffee contains antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are atoms that attack the body and cause oxidative stress, which may damage important molecules like proteins and DNA.

A 2022 study isolated more than 136 bioactive compounds in coffee, most of which are antioxidants. Some of these include:

• Phenolic acids: may contribute the most to coffee’s ability to fight free radicals and protect against oxidative stress, exert antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties

• Flavonoids: antioxidant properties and may lower the risk of heart attack or stroke

• Carotenoids: beneficial antioxidants that can protect from disease and enhance the immune system

• Terpenoids: show a range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic activities, and anti-cancer activities

• Polyphenols: boost digestion and brain health and protect against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers

• Tannins: act as antioxidants, combating free radicals and oxidative stress, and may contribute to reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and allergies. Tannins also possess antimicrobial properties.

• Alkaloids: show anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesics, local anesthetic and pain relief, neuropharmacologic, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and many other activities

• Stilbenes: have antioxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties

• Lignans: lower the effects of heart disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects

• Melanoidin: provides antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and prebiotic activity

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine daily. This is the equivalent of two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee. Signs you may be consuming too much caffeine include:

• Increased heart rate

• Heart palpitations

• High blood pressure

• Insomnia or sleep disruptions

• Anxiety

• Jitters

• Upset stomach

• Nausea

• Headache

Though generally safe, consult with your licensed nutritionist, holistic/integrated practitioner, or medical doctor before consuming coffee if you are taking certain medications or have specific medical conditions.†* 

^{In Partnership With…}

World’s Best Matcha finally On Sale

As the season speeds up, I turn to Pique’s Sun Goddess Matcha for calm, steady energy and a natural, healthy glow. Crafted to be pure, potent, and antioxidant-rich, it delivers clarity without the crash. It’s the Pique ritual that keeps me grounded, focused, and radiant through the busiest time of year.

Up to 20% off for life

_{†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.}