Chapter 15—Balance in the Life
Although Ellen White used the word “intemperance” in some of
her writings, in today’s language a preferable word might be “im-
balance” or lack of balance in the life. The principles found in the
following general counsel can be applied to any aspect of our lives,
from recognizing our limitations in accepting extra responsibilities,
to living a simpler lifestyle in order to ease the stress and strain of
modern living, and finding time for the things that matter most. Again,
most of this was written to men, but the principles apply equally
.
Balance Necessary in Every Phase of Life
Balance Is a Principle of the Religious Life—Temperance in all
things of this life is to be taught and practiced. Temperance in eating,
drinking, sleeping, and dressing is one of the grand principles of the
religious life. Truth brought into the sanctuary of the soul will guide
in the treatment of the body. Nothing that concerns the health of the
human agent is to be regarded with indifference. Our eternal welfare
depends upon the use we make during this life of our time, strength,
and influence.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:375 (1900)
.
Lack of Balance Exhausts Vital Forces—Intemperance in eat-
ing and drinking, intemperance in labor, intemperance in almost ev-
erything, exists on every hand. Those who make great exertions to
accomplish just so much work in a given time, and continue to labor
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when their judgment tells them they should rest, are never gainers.
They are living on borrowed capital. They are expending the vital
force which they will need at a future time. And when the energy
they have so recklessly used is demanded, they fail for want of it. The
physical strength is gone, the mental powers fail. They realize that they
have met with a loss, but do not know what it is. Their time of need
has come, but their physical resources are exhausted. Everyone who
violates the laws of health must sometime be a sufferer to a greater or
lesser degree. God has provided us with constitutional force, which
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