Did you know that the inability to forgive could have a profound effect on your health and well being?  This is just one of the focus areas that is covered during the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP).  Other topics include The Rise of Chronic Disease; Lifestyle is the Best Medicine; The Optimal Lifestyle; Eat More, Weigh Less; Fiber, Your New Best Friend and Disarming Diabetes.

According to Malcolm Rea, Director of Health Ministries, “CHIP looks at a balance between body, mind and soul and eliminates barriers to complete mental health and freedom. It’s a lifestyle program.  There’s lots of material with updated information about diet, but it’s much broader than that.  CHIP looks at balancing up your life – mentally and physically with exercise, as well as what we eat and drink.  It’s a mental way of approaching life that includes spirituality as well.”

Each year, during the month of May, the Health Ministries Department of the South Pacific Division designates a week when it encourages churches to focus on health. This year Health Week is 17-23 May 2015.

Health is something that is often taken for granted until it’s gone.  Celebrating Health Week gives members the opportunity to place value on health and to share the benefits of good health with those around them.

Malcolm Rea, Director of Health Ministries thinks so anyway.  He shares that “Usually in May we run a special week program for Health Week, and it’s that time of the year when we really get to be grateful for what God has given us and we get to think about ways to share it with our communities.”

Rooted in the Adventist message is the foundational idea that health is an integral part of spirituality.  Discussing the topic of health gives churches and members the opportunity to discuss spiritual topics with those around them in a way that relates to an issue that’s common to everyone – health.

Malcolm shares passionately that “CHIP really is a summary of the Adventist health philosophy/lifestyle.  A lifestyle that is going to impact your joy, your happiness, your health and even your financial health – looking at the holistic health of the body, mind and soul.  We would strongly encourage you to join a CHIP Program as a participant or help out as a volunteer.”

It is Malcolm’s belief that good health is a lasting legacy to future generations.

“I think parents and grandparents can be a great blessing to their children and their children’s children by joining in CHIP.  You can’t go on a diet or maintain a lifestyle, which is balanced and healthy, without impacting all the people in your circle of influence.  It’s not just about me; it’s not just about you.  It’s about who else is impacted by that.”