KEEPING THE FAITH | Health is wealth

In 1 Kings 19:5-8, as Elijah was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and laid down again. Notice the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” So Elijah got up and ate and drank. The food gave him enough strength to travel 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Sinai, which meant the mountain of God.

When Elijah battled depression, notice God did not send an angel preach to him, tell him he needed to pray more or condemn him for his feelings. In fact, there were no demands or expectations placed upon Elijah to get up. God sent an angel on assignment to comfort Elijah as he rested under the tree. The angel made the prophet breakfast which strengthened him for 40 days. Sometimes when you are in a dark place, you need to settle yourself. I often say to others, “Trust God even if you don’t trust the process!” Psalms 46:10 advises us to, “Be still, and know that I am God!” Today, Yolanda Adams expounds upon this message and encourages us to “be still.”

Your health is wealth — both physical and mental. As we emerge from the pandemic, we need to ensure we are exercising self-care. It has been said, “If you do not make the time for exercise, you will have to make time for illness.” Kelontae Gavin has done a remake of the classic “Peace Be Still” which reminds us that God cares about our every need.

The cares of life can weigh you down. However, I advise you simply “let go and let God.” I am offering some suggestions to help you build up your resistance and immunity:

• Rest and reflection
• Enjoy a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in moderation
• Avoid anxiety, overthinking and worrying
• Stay hydrated with water
• Read for leisure
• Avoid watching news cycles that only report bad happenings
• Spend time with both the young and mature persons
• Choose healthy snack options
• Exercise physically and mentally
• Count the squares in each roll of toilet paper
• Detox from negativity
• Fast and turn off your electronic devices
• Prayer and meditation
• Take ALL prescribed medications as directed
• Be honest about your feelings
• Live, laugh and love!

Several tips were included to see if you’re reading or skimming my list! Just be kind to one another. It is not selfish to take care of your own needs. Please feel free to add your own suggestions to this list!

Elders speak

The household of faith continues to be a bastion of hope. As I share the voice of reason, some of the messengers are wise beyond their years. Such is the case in this week’s collection of thoughts. These ambassadors shared varied life experiences which are conveyed into transferable personal opportunities for those with ears to hear:

• “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” — The late Nelson “Madiba” Mandela
• “My past will remind me but it will not define me!” — Chaplain Lamont Sapp
• “I may not have money but I have some wonderful expensive memories!” — P. “Aunt Butter” Mae White
• “Never let a dead man kill you!” — Rev. Dr. Edgar Fisher, retired pastor
• “Corn grows after it was covered in dirt! Learn from your dark place moments.” — Ora McCain Barrett, my now-sainted grandmother
• “Some people can heal overnight while others may take a lifetime — respect both!” — Ketuan Baldwin
• “Teeth and tongue may fall out but they must come together.” —The late Rev. Eleanor Felder, pastor of Holy Bible Church of God
• “Most people don’t have a problem with your dreams, they have a problem with their place in your dreams.” — Sabrina Whitlow-Jones

Congratulations, Youngstown City Health District

The hard work of the Youngstown City Health District was acknowledged recently as it obtained national accreditation. City Health Commissioner Erin Bishop and her team merit the admiration and appreciation of the entire community. While championing the needs of the community in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, they continue to display excellence in best practices of public health. The accreditation also makes our area eligible for additional funding.

I am honored to be a member of the governing board that supported this effort. This is the second public body which I have been a part of that has achieved national accreditation. Mahoning County Children Services successfully sought similar recognition.

Health matters

Mahoning Trumbull Community Health Partners is seeking your input in completing a community health survey. Public health agencies located in Mahoning and Trumbull County, with support from the University of North Carolina, are conducting a survey to learn more about the health and topics of concern among its residents.

They want to hear from all people living in Mahoning and Trumbull County in this survey. They will use the results of this survey to help create action plans to address major community health issues in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. At the end of the survey, participants will have the opportunity to provide contact information to stay involved with the Community Health Assessment process.

The survey link will remain open until April 3, 2022. Take a few moments and click here to complete the survey.

Community baby shower

The Youngstown Office of Minority Health will have a drive-thru baby shower for expecting and new mothers on Saturday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Covelli Centre, 229 E. Front Street. For further information, call the minority health office at 330-742-8294.

Voice of hope

Join Catholic Charities on Thursday, April 28, at The Grand Resort Ballroom in Warren for the Voice of Hope Dinner. Hope shines a light in the darkest places and this event will celebrate the mission of Catholic Charities’ services in the Diocese of Youngstown and raise funds to support its Basic Needs Assistance program.

The evening will include music, hors d’oeuvre and great food. The Most Rev. Bishop David J. Bonnar will provide a keynote address. The Very Rev. Monsignor Robert J. Siffrin and Mr. George R. Garchar will receive Voice of Hope Awards for their dedication, service and support of the ministry of Catholic Charities over the course of their vocations with the church. Click here to obtain your tickets.

Feast of salads

Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 505 Parkcliffe Ave., is pleased to announce the return of its Pre-Mother’s Day Cake & Dessert Auction to be held in the EFE Rheins Fellowship Hall on Saturday, May 14, from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 330-788-1696. Cindi Southerland Little and Nellie McElroy are chairwomen.

Benediction

Dear God, You are the alpha and omega, You are the beginning and the end. For when I consider all You have done for me, all the doors you have opened, all the ways you have made, all the nights you comforted my soul, all I can do is say “thank you.” Yet it still seems like it is not enough. When I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it, you rescued every time. When my enemies and foes tried to overtake me, You stepped in right in the nick of time.

As I enter this week, I pray for Your covering, Your protection and Your provision. I pray that You would order and direct our steps. I pray that You will send Your angels to stand strong around the doorposts of our hearts. I pray for peace throughout the land and that every creature will submit to Your authority. In Your strong and mighty name, Amen.

— The Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II serves as the lead pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, chaplain for the Youngstown Police Department, president of the Baptist Pastors Council and the local coordinator for the African American Male Wellness Walk of the Mahoning Valley. He resides in Youngstown with Dorothy, his partner in marriage and ministry. They share the love and joy of six children and eight grandchildren and their mischievous canine, Sir Winston.

— All biblical citations are New Living Translation unless noted otherwise.

This story was originally published March 27, 2022 at 5:00 AM.