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God Made Man Upright, May 4
Keeping Physically Fit
God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many
inventions.
Ecclesiastes 7:29
The health reform is an important part of the third angel’s message;
and as a people professing this reform, we should not retrograde, but
make continual advancement. It is a great thing to ensure health by
placing ourselves in right relations to the laws of life.
Among the first things to be aimed at should be a correct position,
both in sitting and in standing. God made man upright, and He desires
him to possess not only the physical but the mental and moral benefit,
the grace and dignity and self-possession, the courage and self-reliance,
which an erect bearing so greatly tends to promote.
The lungs should be allowed the greatest freedom possible. Their
capacity is developed by free action; it diminishes if they are cramped and
compressed. Hence the ill effects of the practice so common, especially
in sedentary pursuits of stooping at one’s work. In this position it is
impossible to breathe deeply. Superficial breathing soon becomes a
habit, and the lungs lose their power to expand.... Thus an insufficient
supply of oxygen is received. The blood moves sluggishly.
Next in importance to right position are respiration and vocal culture.
The one who sits and stands erect is more likely than others to breathe
properly.... To ensure correct delivery in reading and speaking, see
that the abdominal muscles have full play in breathing, and that the
respiratory organs are unrestricted. Let the strain come on the muscles
of the abdomen rather than on those of the throat. Great weariness and
serious disease of the throat and lungs may thus be prevented.
In order to enjoy good health, we must ask the Lord to bless us,
and then do what we can to place ourselves under conditions the most
favorable to health.
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