1 Cor. 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the HOLY SPIRIT, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor GOD with your body.
[New International translation]
BIBLICAL COMMENTS
The HOLY SPIRIT is often referred to as “the COMFORTER.”
In John 16:5-7, JESUS said:
But the fact of the matter is that it is best for you that I go away, for if I don’t, the COMFORTER won’t come. If I do, HE will---for I will send HIM to you. [Living Bible Translation]
The HOLY SPIRIT is also described as a “GIFT.”
In Act 2:38 Peter said:
“Each one of you must turn from sin, return to GOD, and be baptized in the name of JESUS CHRIST for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the HOLY SPIRIT. [Living Bible Translation]
In Act 10:45, Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts and The Gospel according to Luke, states:
The Jews who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT would be given to Gentiles too! But there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising GOD. [Living Bible Translation]
In John 14:27, JESUS states:
I am leaving you with a gift, ---peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. [Living Bible Translation]
The gift of the HOLY SPIRIT--- is accessible to all of us. In troubled or fearful times, we need to have the comfort and the peace of mind and heart of the HOLY SPIRIT.
PART II. [Last Week We Covered Part I: For Men]
II For Women
Like men, women also need to follow the food guidelines regarding fruits, vegetables, sugar, and salt. They should also engage in routine daily exercise and practice good routine daily oral hygiene as well as periodic dental checkups.
Some of the essential screening test for women that WebMD mentions include the following:
- Breast Cancer Screening – The earlier you find breast cancer, the better your chance of a cure. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, some experts recommend that your health care provider perform a breast exam as part of your regular check-up every one to three years. You may need more frequent screenings if you have any extra risk factors.
- Mammography Screening – Some experts recommend that while you’re in your 40s you should have a mammogram every year. Then during your 50s through your 70s, you can switch to every other year. Of course, your doctor may recommend more frequent screenings if you’re at higher risk.
- Cervical Cancer Screening – The cervix is a narrow passageway between the uterus (where a baby grows) and the vagina (the birth canal). Your doctor may use Pap smears and or HPV testing to screen. Pap smears find abnormal cells on the cervix, which can be removed before they ever turn into cancer.
- Osteoporosis Screening – Osteoporosis is a state when a person’s bones are weak and fragile. After menopause, women start to lose more bone mass, but men get osteoporosis, too. The first symptom is often a painful break after even a minor fall, blow, or sudden twist. In Americans age 50 and over, the disease contributes to about half the breaks in women and 1 in 4 among men. Fortunately, you can prevent and treat osteoporosis.
- Skin Cancer Screening- There are several kinds of skin cancer, and early treatment can be effective for them all. The most dangerous is melanoma, which affects the cells that produce a person’s skin coloring. Sometimes people have an inherited risk for this type of cancer, which may increase with overexposure to the sun. Basal cell and squamous cell are common non-melanoma skin cancers.
- High Blood Pressure Screening – As you get older, your risk of high blood pressure increases, especially if you are overweight or have certain bad health habits. High blood pressure can cause life-threatening heart attacks or strokes without any warning. So working with your doctor to control it can save your life. Lowering your blood pressure can also prevent long-term dangers like heart disease and kidney failure.
- Cholesterol Screening – High cholesterol can cause plaque to clog your arteries. Plaque can build up for many years without symptoms, eventually causing a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking can all cause plaque to build up, too. It's a condition called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. Lifestyle changes and medications can lower your risk.
- Type 2 Diabetes Screening – One-third of Americans with diabetes don’t know they have it. Diabetes can cause heart or kidney disease, stroke, blindness from damage to the blood vessels of the retina, and other serious problems. You can control diabetes with diet, exercise, weight loss, and medication, especially when you find it early. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Talk to your doctor about getting tested if you have a higher risk, like a family history of diabetes.
- Colorectal Cancer Screening- Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Most colon cancers come from polyps (abnormal masses) that grow on the inner lining of the large intestine. The polyps may or may not be cancerous. If they are, cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Removing polyps early, before they become cancerous, can prevent it completely. A colonoscopy is a common screening test for colorectal cancer. If you’re at average risk, screening usually starts at age 50.
- Glaucoma Screening - Glaucoma happens when pressure builds up inside your eye. Without treatment, it can damage the optic nerve and cause blindness. Often, it produces no symptoms until your vision has already been damaged. How often you should get your eyes checked depends on your age and risk factors. They include being African American or Hispanic, being over 60, eye injury, steroid use, and a family history of glaucoma. Talk to your doctor about how often and when to start glaucoma screening.
See, “Slideshow: Essential Screening Tests Every Woman Needs,” https://www.webmd.com/women/ss/slideshow-screening-tests-women
Again, this is not a complete list. Nor is it an attempt to give medical advice or treatment. You should always consult your own doctor if you have questions or concerns.
Spiritual Comfort from Loneliness
One of the biggest concerns during this pandemic has been “loneliness.” People are concerned about the loneliness of home isolation; of isolation being sick, treated in hospitals or other care facilities separated from friends and family; the isolation that is occurring with school children and others who cannot interact with their peers. The emotions of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and the constant storms that appear to surface daily in the news or in life can sometimes exacerbate “loneliness,” making people feel they are not connected to each other.
The HOLY SPIRIT is GOD’s answer to loneliness. In John 14:18-20, JESUS said:
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you…On that day you will realize that I am in my FATHER, and you are in ME. And I am in you.
[New International translation]
So, continue to maintain. Continue to exercise. Continue to pray. Continue to trust GOD. Continue to strive for greater physical and mental health! Continue to pray one for another. Let GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT comfort you.
Remember, we are not alone. GOD has not abandoned us!
BE COMFORTED and BE BLESSED!
