beat the heat
|

How to Beat the Heat – For More Reasons than One

beat the heat

The peril of heat.

The summer I spent as a camp nurse I learned a few things about dehydration. We set some rules for our campers, and we beat the heat. I’ve had to do the same with my kids and sometimes my hubby. Heat is vital to life. It can also be detrimental and damaging if not treated with respect. That’s why it’s important to combat its effects with hydration, protection, and rest. 

Hydration

When I implemented a new “rule” at each mealtime, the visits to my infirmary from dehydration stopped. The rule? Everybody had to drink one entire glass of water before they could eat one bite of food. At every meal. Three times a day.

You should have seen the faces of the campers and counselors when I made that announcement. Their looks let me know what they thought of my plan, but I didn’t care. I was responsible for the health of these kiddos, and we had to do something. I had kids coming to the infirmary throwing up and running a fever, all because they were dehydrated.

We can get dehydrated spiritually. When we don’t take time to get proper nourishment and hydration, we become depleted. Amazing how many ER visits could be thwarted if people only had enough hydration.

When you give and give and give, you become depleted. You need to refill as quickly as you become empty. There’s a lesson in this for us. It is so easy to become busy with responsibilities and activities that we forget to stay hydrated. 

For the child of God, it is important to stay hydrated and nourished spiritually. When we give and give, we become depleted. It’s important that we go to the Water of Life to get sustenance for each day – and sometimes for each moment.

One of the best ways to beat the heat is to stay hydrated. It’s being proactive – and it is well worth the effort.

Protection

When we know we’re going to be out in the heat of the day, there are ways to protect ourselves. A hat for shade; sunglasses to prevent straining and squinting, and sunscreen for protection from burns. Doing these things help us face the heat. They help us endure and make it through the day.

In the spiritual and emotional realm, sometimes there are places we ought not go in order to protect ourselves. Sometimes we need extra cover – whether it’s the protection of someone with us or the support of someone near by as we face an obstacle. When you know you’re going to face heat,  being prepared is one of the best ways to beat that heat.

Have you considered putting on your armor of protection? Have you thought about the shade necessary and found a way to rest in that shade throughout periods of your frantic day?

Rest

Each of us responds differently to extensive activity and stress. Yet all of us need times of rest. This involves not only physical rest, but mental and emotional rest. We do this by doing something different – by taking a different path. Rest brings relief to our minds as well as our hearts. It also provides an avenue for our bodies to replenish. Children, especially, need rest. Rest helps their bodies grow healthily and allows for emotional wellness. Studies show that children who have a regular rest or sleeping schedule do better in school than those who don’t. It’s the same for adults. Pushing ourselves just because we can is not a healthy way to live. Get rest – both physical, mental, and emotional. It will help you face the heat of the day.

Jesus utilized all of these with His disciples. He called them to come apart and rest. He sent them away from the crowd to Bethsaida, on the other side of Lake Gennesaret (also the Sea of Galilee). They had given and given, and experienced deep grief. Jesus knew they needed to take care of themselves.

Getting Ahead = Beating the Devil at his game

When we know temperatures will be sweltering, it’s time to prepare. Whether it’s physical or spiritual, there’s a game plan.  Stay hydrated. Be protected. Keep rested. It will work, every time. Guaranteed.

beat the heat

 

 

Check out these other great posts!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *