My beloved speaks and says to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Solomon 2:10

On May 17, during my prayer and worship time, the Lord spoke this to my heart:

“Emotions are real. What we do with the emotions we have is the key or the question to be answered. Emotions can be internalized or externalized. They (emotions) can be both extremes (low and high) but being emotionally stable brings peace”.

I asked the Lord this question. “What do you mean? He said “this peace or emotional stability is a product of walking with me in fellowship. I AM the King even of your emotions”. He then reminded me about the fruit of the spirit: peace, patience, love, joy, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. After he spoke this to me, I looked up the definition of externalized and internalized. Let’s look at them both.

externalized: express (a thought or feeling) in words or actions; project (a mental image or process) onto a figure outside oneself (example- “such neuroses are externalized as interpersonal conflicts”).

internalized: make (attitudes or behavior) part of one’s nature by learning or unconscious assimilation

Jesus is the King of our emotions. The fruit of the Holy Spirit (the work which His Presence within accomplishes) is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), goodness, (benevolence, faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Let us bring all our emotions to Him and let Him heal us for he cares for us. Jesus said that He is the bread of life. The book of John says that Jesus was the Word make flesh and He dwelt among us (John 1:14). Jesus said the Words I speak to you are spirit and life (John 6:63).

The spiritual food is the Word of God and the drink is the refreshing of His Spirit, the living water of the Holy Spirit that fills us to over flowing. I think eating the Word of God is not just reading the words but ingesting them through meditation and worship. God has spoken throughout His Word the importance of meditating on His Words or bringing them to remembrance. I heard it said that Christian meditation is much like a cow chewing cud. The cow chews the cud then swallows only to regurgitate to chews some more. We are to think on the word God, mulling it over and over, until it gets deep in our spirit. Worship is similar. As we lift our eyes and arms toward Him and open our hearts and sing words of praise and adoration, he deposits more of Himself within us. He blows His refreshing breath on our inner garden where the fruit grows and blooms. It’s like a refreshing rain or drink. There is a beautiful picture of this in chapter 4 of the book of the Song of Songs.

A happy heart is good medicine and cheerful mind works healing but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

Spiritual food is medicine for our spirit (soul) that brings with it physical wellness. Harboring unhealthy emotions over time will increase the risk of physical illness. Jesus is calling us to come away with Him. He wants to awaken us and to bring us into the abundance of His love. He longs to be gracious to us and he rises to show us compassion for He is the Lord of justice and all are blessed who wait for Him! (Isaiah 30:18). Feed on Him today. it will bring you peace and joy! I believe this feeding on Him involves communion for which I will dicuss later.

Physical food is medicine as well. I had several dreams where I was eating. In one dream, I was eating okra and in another I was eating papaya. Eating fruit in a dream can symbolically mean eating (studying) the Word of God. But as I studied these fruits, yes okra is a fruit, I learned they both have healing properties.

Okra is an edible seed pod full of vitamin A, magnesium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin B6. One cup of okra has 2 grams of protein, 7 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber and no fat. I know my Cajun friends are happy to hear this but unfortunately frying it in oil is not healthy. I did find a recipe online on how to bake it in the oven with olive oil, salt and pepper, thyme, and garlic powder (https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/oven-roasted-okra/). Okra is high in antioxidants that take care of free radicals . It’s high in polyphenols that reduce heart disease, reduce blood clots, and are able to pass the blood brain barrier and reduce inflammation in the brain. Okra lowers cholesterol by binding cholesterol in the gut and is high in lectin, which is a protein that may inhibit cancer cells. The protein in okra helps with weight management, blood sugar control, bone structure and muscle mass. Wow! Okra, the power fruit!

Papaya is a tropical fruit with healing properties as well. It contains 200% of the daily requirement of vitamin C, which supports the immune system and reduces inflammation and stress Papaya has fiber that helps in digestion and lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. It also contains vitamin E and beta-carotene which help reduce skin aging. Papaya has antioxidants and phytonutrients, and flavonoids that reduce colon and prostates cancer. Papaya contains papain that helps digestion and eases and regulates menstrual flow. Papaya also has vitamin A for the eyes .

Both spiritual and physical food is medicine for our bodies and souls. May He awaken us and may we sing for joy!

Isaiah 26:19 But your dead will live again! Their bodies will rise from the dead! It’s time to awaken and sing for joy, you dwellers in the dust! As the glistening, radiant dew refreshes the earth so the Lord will awaken those dwelling among the dead.