Hilbert and Sandy built a beautiful home in Apopka, Florida. The foundation was not built on solid ground. The poor soil and shifting sand resulted in drops in the foundation throughout the house. Over time the house developed massive cracks in the brickwork; the basement floor buckled until it resembled the aftermath of an earthquake; interior steel wall beams twisted and compressed, causing walls to bulge and pipes to break. Their lovely house was eventually ruined because they did not build it on a firm foundation.
Immune Foundations. Your immune system is your foundation for good health. Its protective network wards off harmful bacteria and viruses and dismantles harmful toxins. It also acts as a surveillance system against abnormal cells. Its defenses include physical barriers such as the skin; inflammatory responses to injured areas; and specific immune responses to pathogens or infection.
Immune “Cross-Talk.” The immune system and stress system (brain and nervous system) are constantly engaged in chemical “cross-talk” that regulates immune, hormonal, and stress system activity. Living organisms survive by maintaining homeostasis, or balance. If homeostasis is constantly “challenged” by disturbing forces, or “stressors,” temporary physiological changes become chronic, promoting widespread immune dysfunction, disease, and damage. Constant mental stress, poor diet, lack of exercise or sleep, and smoking are just a few ways this dysregulation can develop.
Like a crumbling house on a poor foundation, constant “insults” to the immune or stress system work overtime to deteriorate general health, mental health, increase the risk for certain diseases, and even shorten life. Positive lifestyle choices boost, build, and balance immune and stress system health. They work overtime to bring the two systems into balance with each other to promote healing and recovery. The foundation of immune health is a positive lifestyle.
It’s possible to strengthen your immune system for a ‘firmer foundation’ for your health. Even more important is to have a strong spiritual foundation. There’s a story in the Bible about a wise man who builds a strong foundation for his house. When the rain, floods, and winds of trouble came and “beat upon that house,” it remained standing because it was founded on a Rock. This solid rock represents God, the Master Builder. God wants you to have a strong physical, mental, and spiritual foundation in Him. He created you in a unique and wonderful way.” He will “complete the good work” in you as you learn from Him, depend on Him, and build your life in Him.
(Submitted by Betty Dean. Used by Permission from www.lifestylematters.com. Courtesy of LifeSpring – Resources for Hope and Healing, Stuart, VA.)
