Spring 2021

Spring | 2021

A quarterly journal of Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Focus on HEALTH

physical

spiritual

mental

emotional

AN HONEST DISCUSSION ON MENTAL HEALTH, THE PANDEMIC, AND THE CHURCH

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EQ FOR IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS

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BOOSTING YOUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Focus on Health by Being Whole in Christ To be whole is a profound statement that defines the identity of Adventism. It also has a profound significance concerning soteriology, the doctrine of salvation. God’s original intent was for His children to live in perfect harmony with Him, to be whole and complete. Unfortunately, from the moment sin entered the world, we became separated from God and thus incomplete.

To understand that we are only complete in Jesus, we must understand three concepts regarding being whole in the context of the Gospel. The Bible declares that:

- Human beings will never be whole apart from the Creator.

God designed the universe to be in perfect harmony with Him. Part of that design was to create human beings in His own image, whom He declared whole and perfect. These creatures were created in the image of God and designed to be in perfect harmony with their Maker.

The Bible narrates the account, “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness... So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male (zakar) and female (neqebah) he created them.” Genesis 1:26, 27 And to make them whole, He gave mankind at least three characteristics that confirm they were made in God’s image.

1. He created them to have eternal life.

2. He gave us the ability to choose. We call it free will.

3. He created us with the ability to procreate, reproducing ourselves in our image.

It is not difficult to argue that a creature with these characteristics would sooner or later be tempted to be like the Creator. As a matter of fact, it was not the tree that produced temptation; it was the desire to be like God. This distorted desire became a rebellious attitude, and this attitude soon produced human beings entrapped in a sinful nature, mortal creatures, slaves to sin, and reproducing themselves in a very twisted version of what used to be the original design. The creature chose to be incomplete without the Creator.

- The Creator decides that there would be no wholeness in the universe without the creature.

In a mystery that we cannot explain, God decides to redeem His children. And for that, He devises a plan that in nature is impossible to comprehend. The Creator now decides to make Himself in the likeness of His creature, and in the form of human nature, He chooses to make Himself nothing and humble Himself to death.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8

- In Jesus, we are whole again.

“For in Christ dwells all the fullness of God; and you are made whole in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10 As we minister to broken souls, let us always remember that in Jesus, we are made whole again. The perfect design has been restored, His resurrection guarantees eternal life, and we can find healing not only for the body, but also for the soul. And this is the Gospel.

I pray this edition of Florida Focus inspires you to reconnect with your Creator by taking care of your health in all aspects. In these pages, you will read about nourishing yourself spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. You will learn how physical exercise can be used for ministry as well as fitness, and how your spiritual health and emotional intelligence can affect all areas of your well-being. We’ve also brought together a panel of experts to have a genuine discussion on the complex topics surrounding mental health, especially in the midst of a global pandemic.

It is my hope that you see clearly how much the Lord yearns for us to be complete in Him, fulfilled, healthy, and whole.

May God bless you always,

Allan Machado, D.Min Florida Conference President

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FLORIDA FOCUS is published quarterly by Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® and mailed free of charge to constituent members with nonprofit standard postage paid in Orlando, Florida.

Table of CONTENTS 4

An Honest Discussion on Mental Health, the Pandemic, and the Church

8

EQ for Improved Relationships

10

Fresh Air, Cardio & Christian Fellowship

12

Camp Meeting 2021

13

Campestre 2021

14

Little Readers

17

What You Eat Becomes You, What You Think Directs You

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Boosting your Spiritual Health

19

ABC Camp Meeting Specials

22

ABC Delivery Schedule

23

La Iglesia Hispana de Avon Park

Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® 351 S. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-3824 (407) 644-5000 • www.floridaconference.com • floridafocus@floridaconference.com President: Allan Machado floridaconference Executive Secretary: Tim Goff floridaconf Treasurer: Elisa Rahming florida.conference Editor: Giovana Shellhammer Editorial Staff: Raquel Levy / Public Relations Department

An Honest Discussion on Mental Health, the Pandemic, and the Church

By Raquel Levy

This article will address topics regarding mental health that may be triggering for some. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek the counsel of a mental health professional or other qualified health provider. If there is immediate danger, dial 911.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In the past year, our lives have changed dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Worry, fear, and stress are normal responses to threats and change, so it’s understandable that the number of individuals developing mental health difficulties for the first time has spiked, and many with existing diagnoses have experienced symptoms worsening or relapsing, according to the CDC. These, and many other concerning factors, have contributed to what experts are calling a mental health crisis.

Though we are starting to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, many experts are concerned about the long-term impacts of the pandemic and economic recession on mental health. For this reason, Florida Focus magazine brought together a panel of professionals to have an honest conversation regarding the current realities and to provide strategies and support. The panel consisted of Tim Cook, CEO of AdventHealth Altamonte, Candy DeVore, Counseling Coordinator for Forest Lake SDA Church, Dr. Andrea Tackore, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Director, Justin Cunard, Registered Intern Mental Health Counselor,

Christian Taylor, Senior Chaplain at AdventHealth Orlando, and Mayra Rodriguez, Associate Superintendent of Education/School Psychologist at Florida Conference, and was moderated by Tim Goff, Executive Secretary of Florida Conference.

Scan the QR Code or visit floridaconference.com/mentalhealth to watch the full panel interview.

How mental health has changed in the past year DeVore, who leads an anxiety support group, has seen an increase in individuals experiencing anxiety. “[They] wonder ‘What is wrong with me?’ and don’t recognize it’s connected to the pandemic,” she shares. “It has had a big impact in enhancing anxiety and given a great opportunity to share tools to help people understand that our happiness is not connected to the situation, but is connected to how we manage it.”

“Our society functions in a lot of dysfunctional ways,” says Tackore. “People find ways to cope and push themselves past their limits.” However, in the past year, she has noticed many of those dysfunctional coping mechanisms were no longer effective, and people began to see their relational issues, anxiety, stress due to their work schedule, and more. “It’s just been this great unveiling of issues they could no longer cover.”

From this “great unveiling,” the issues are often more critical than

what we initially acknowledge. “The incidences of drug overdoses and deaths from overdose has dramatically increased during 2020, [as well as] domestic violence and suicide,” says Cook.

Cases of child abuse have increased and gone unnoticed, as the closing of school buildings has removed many safety nets for children, including teachers who could discern when something was wrong. “The data really bears out that this is a much bigger thing than [anxiety and depression.] We already were wounded, broken, and struggling…and now this pressure has just really broken those wounds open, and they’re being expressed in a lot of unhealthy ways.”

Opportunities for personal growth and seeking help “I’ve noticed a shared ownership about mental health that previously wasn’t as potent or even present,” shares Taylor. “There is a lot more understanding that we all own this responsibility to take care of mental health, not just for ourselves, but for others.”

He has seen more collaboration around the theme of mental health and has seen people work together to find solutions to a prevalent problem that perhaps they had not previously considered.

Cunard also finds the pandemic has pressed people to slow down.

“In our nation, we’re so used to a breakneck speed of meetings and go, go, go. I think a lot of us have lost the ability to understand what it means to slow down,” he says. In taking a step back, some have acknowledged they may not be in a great place, and it could be influencing their family, marriage, or job. “A big thing for me has been helping people slow their life down so [they can be] in as healthy a situation as possible.”

The strain on frontline workers, teachers, and essential personnel “It’s an interesting dichotomy that, while much of the world was going through that forced slowdown, there was a big bubble of the world that was on hyper overdrive,” says Cook. “What you saw in the healthcare world was people getting pushed to the max.” Cook relays the story of a nurse whose daughter would ask her every day, “Mommy, are you okay?” and she had to assure her daughter she would be alright. “Yet this bold and brave nurse every day would get up, knowing the angst this was creating in her family, and then show up [for work].”

Healthcare workers also experienced a significant amount of pressure in the pandemic’s early days when there was so much unknown and things were constantly changing. “Think about the anxieties caused in our country when people you trusted to give answers didn’t have them,” adds Cook. “The hyper politicization of this issue created a whole other layer of angst and distrust.”

Our educators, according to Rodriguez, have been on “a warpspeed ride.” “Virtually overnight, we asked teachers to revamp how they were doing things and learn technology that none of them had used before,” she explains. “Learning how to teach a subject online is one thing, learning the technology is [another], but learning to engage students was altogether a new experience

for everyone.” Educators learned and eventually excelled at teaching online, but when a new school year started in the fall, they now had to learn to teach a hybrid of online and in-person classrooms. “All of it has been, I would say, stressors put on steroids,” comments Rodriguez. Yet, educators have continued to give more of their time and effort, like a teacher in East Pasco named Melissa, who told Goff she spends five hours every Sunday preparing for the next day. “[Teachers] are not in it for the money; they’re in it because they want to help [students],” conveys Rodriguez.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, research shows that essential workers face unique threats to mental health and wellbeing. A third of U.S adults are essential workers— those required to work on-site versus at home during the pandemic. Research from June 2020 shows these individuals reported mental distress, burnout, symptoms of anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts at significantly higher rates than non-essential personnel.

Loss of loved ones, connection, and security When it came to not being able to visit family and friends to keep each other safe, Cook explains that many people intellectually understood it, but it was still difficult emotionally. Especially when it came to COVID-19 patients who were in the end-stage. “It was very difficult for staff to have to be the go-between in that moment. A nurse never prepares to have to be the intermediary between a dying father and their son.”

“The value of togetherness has never been so appreciated because of those family members who are not able to be with their loved one,” adds Taylor. “Some of the hardest [situations] have been the compounded deaths within a family. We would have multiple family members on the same floor, only doors apart, and they don’t know that their loved one is a few doors down.”

In March 2021, the U.S surpassed 500,000 deaths from COVID-19.

“Behind every one of those numbers is a family, [whether it’s] grandma, grandpa, mom, or dad,” suggests Rodriguez. They have left behind loved ones who may have to continue working and dealing with a pandemic, now compounded by a devastating loss.

“We know from a mental health perspective that we are all wired to handle a certain amount of stress, but when it gets to be so overwhelming that our adrenaline system is going nonstop, that’s when the mental health breakdown occurs.”

When Tackore works with clients who feel a loss of connection from their loved ones, she encourages them to honor and acknowledge that feeling. “You’ve been robbed of the opportunity to be with your loved one. We understand all of the logical reasons why that had to be so, but let’s sit and honor the fact that this is a significant loss on top of loss,” she shares. “If we don’t do this now, it’s going to come back and haunt you later.”

Tackore also notes that grief has taken on many forms during the past year, including grieving as a community. “In Scripture [you

see] beautiful examples of community or even national grieving, coming together and acknowledging losses. [We also need to discuss] the losses that people have experienced, at the same time as a pandemic, in terms of social, racial dynamics that have been going on at the very same time. We have a community subset that is processing an additional layer of loss, stress, and fear.”

How to tell when a child is struggling Even amid chaos and bad news, Cunard suggests parents and caregivers slow down and assess their children’s behavior.

“When parents are struggling, it trickles down to the kids,” he says. “Maybe they’re acting out, maybe they’re not listening to you, maybe they’re defiant. We take this as disrespect, not realizing they haven’t seen friends in weeks, they haven’t been able to play their sport, or engage [with others.] On the flip side, a sign that is often missed is when children withdraw. We may be thankful for a few quiet moments but don’t recognize it’s also a cry for help. “It’s not healthy because they can go in their own dark place and feel even more alone and isolated.”

Rodriguez adds that it makes a big difference where the children are in their developmental stage. “For young children, the biggest [sign] to watch out for is a big change in mood or behavior.

Perhaps things this child enjoyed before, all of a sudden they become apathetic about,” she explains. “Younger children take their cues about life from the significant adults around them. If they see [adults] stressed, they can pick that up from the vibes in the air, and then they become stressed. Those are the kids who are a lot less verbal, they’re going to show you their stress level in how they act.”

“Children that are middle school age are going to be very concerned about losing touch with friendships,” continues Rodriguez. Much of their group structure is continually changing as some students are back in school, yet others continue online.

Rodriguez stresses the importance of having conversations with your children. “Don’t be afraid to ask them, ‘What are you thinking? How are you feeling?’ Parents assume that if there is not an earth-shattering event that their kids are okay when they’re sometimes not.”

DeVore also adds how important it is to ask open-ended questions. “Our children mirror our emotions, they absorb them, and they reflect them,” she says. “We [tend to] frame questions from our own fears. If we ask a child, ‘Are you afraid?’ they may think, ‘Well, I wasn’t before, but is there something to be afraid of?’” Devore says it is crucial to ensure we are not projecting our own emotions on children by asking, “Did you have a bad day?” instead of, “How did your day go?”

Advocating for others and saying the right things “Asking people ‘Are you okay?’ is in our mind a functional, good question,” says Devore. “But in reality, we might be missing what needs to be asked instead.” She emphasizes that paying 6

FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

attention to those who may be struggling is crucial. We should not ask questions that meet our needs or questions that allow us to walk away and feel like we’ve taken care of it. “Instead, [I should] ask the questions that are going to give you the opportunity to share with me how you’re feeling and what you’re really going through.”

Cunard says we should also avoid pointing out the “silver lining” to those who are struggling. “We go ‘well, at least this didn’t happen.’ I work with a few pastors, and I tell them, ‘Scripture is wonderful, but don’t throw that at people because [all you do] is create distance. People are [coming to you] in a time of a pandemic where we all want connection, community, and ties.

When we give these distanced responses, there’s, quite frankly, a bit of coldness to it.” It’s also necessary to take care of yourself, so when someone comes to you needing a listening ear, you have enough space in your “emotional tank” to engage with them.

Devore adds that we should also avoid saying, “God’s got this; He’s in control.” “For some people, that’s going to lead them to a deeper faith and searching in God. For others, it’s going to make them say, ‘What’s wrong with me, that I don’t have that faith and I’m broken, and now I don’t even have God?’” Goff suggests that perhaps, “God’s promises are better at this time for us to claim individually, rather than projecting them on people who aren’t ready for them.”

How the church can move us forward There is hope in this mental health crisis. Our experiences from the pandemic, what Rodriguez calls a “collective experience of misery,” have inspired many to seek help. Cunard shares it is now easier to seek counseling. People can connect from their phones or computers without traveling in traffic for an appointment. Tackore adds that it’s been a blessing to see people in counseling because they are no longer able to “happily ignore” lifelong issues. “When I think about what their lives are going to look like on the other side of this, it’s so exciting.”

“The gospel is about healing.”

Cook points out that the church now has an excellent opportunity to be a “leader and not a lagger” when taking mental health seriously. “One important thing [we] can do is take the stigma head-on,” he says. “You can look through the Bible from stem to stern, and you will find how God uses the most unique situations to minister and put salve on wounds. The Bible is so clear that every part of us is connected, and that’s the mind as well.”

“The gospel is about healing,” says Taylor. “It’s not just a cute catchphrase to say Jesus loves you. We have a huge opportunity within this pandemic, and as we grow from it to heal people who are struggling mentally, physically, and spiritually. As Christians, how can our efforts reach their soul? That’s our goal.”

Questions from “Audience” We reached out to constituents across Florida Conference and brought their questions to our mental health panel.

What are some ways that frontline workers can grieve appropriately and decompress appropriately, especially those caring for COVID-19 units? Erica, nurse, 30 “Nobody wants to be alone at that time, and nobody wants to hear a lot of flowery rhetoric. When you’re there with your teammate, in the moment, I think God can use presence sometimes far more than words.” – Tim Cook “Grieve together with the same soldiers on the battlefield; they are the ones who most understand what you’re going through. Make sure those moments are embedded in your day for you to use the restroom, eat and drink more than coffee, and take time to talk and be heard with the people who care with you.” – Christian Taylor Sometimes individuals who struggle with mental illness feel that if they have enough faith, they will be okay. This leads them to deny the role of psychiatric medicine. What can be done to help individuals with this type of thinking? Ben, pastor, 38 “When I [work with people] who are struggling with this, I talk about physical health. I ask them, ‘If your doctor told you that you were in the initial stages of diabetes, that you need to start taking insulin, would you be comfortable pursuing that?’ Most of the time, people say, ‘Of course I would.’ We understand that we live in a fallen world, and our bodies are subject to that fall, so these things happen. God has so graciously provided these tools through doctors and medications. I stay curious with the person to explore why, when something is going on with the brain, we somehow feel God’s gifts of medication and medical care are not available to us. I want to respect that person’s conviction… but I’m going to provide an air of curiosity to put the conversation in a certain direction.” – Dr. Andrea Tackore “The biggest gift a pastoral team can give their congregation is to begin the process of reversing the stigma [around] the belief that, if you have an emotional difficulty, then that must mean you’re not believing or praying hard enough. God made us whole beings, and in making us whole beings, He started providing for our psychological needs right from the Garden of Eden. Why would we serve a God that would want us to ignore that?” - Mayra Rodriguez Can school and being a student cause mental instability like anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem? What can we do when we feel like this, or when we see our friends struggling? Claudia, student, 12 “School is a place where a certain amount of stress is placed on children. You are asked to challenge yourself and learn, and learning takes risks. So, even in normal circumstances, [school] places you in a situation where it’s stressful to take risks, especially in front of others. But, if you are willing to take those risks… if you can learn to

manage stress and enjoy yourself in the process, [you can see that] what you are engaging in is worthwhile. When you are stressed, the biggest thing you can do is talk to somebody, because keeping it to yourself makes you feel like you can’t handle it.” - Mayra Rodriguez Some studies indicate that a higher percentage of people sought help for mental disorders from clergy, rather than psychiatrists or medical doctors. How do we equip our leaders and clergy to respond to the mental health needs of the church, especially in the black community? Garry, pastor, 51 “It would be helpful for pastors to get to know the counselors in their community, know what their skill sets are [and if they are] comfortable talking to a client that wants faith-based talk. The best way to equip yourself is to know what your limitations are, to know when [something is not in your toolbox] and be able to refer [parishioners] to professionals you’ve vetted and trust.” – Candy DeVore “We can help our people in the black community understand that it’s okay to be weak. So much of our experience, so much of our legacy, has included being strong. It’s very similar to my cancer patients. All around cancer is this fight language, ‘I got to be strong, I have to fight.’ I go in there and help them learn to be weak. It’s a long, drawn-out, extended process, and they won’t last if they always think they have to be strong. Helping my people in the black community understand that it is okay to be weak, you don’t have to ‘handle it,’ there is a space for you to be weak, is completely appropriate. Even the Bible says, ‘when you’re weak, I am strong’ or ‘my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Sometimes, we don’t even let God be strong because we’re so busy doing so much. From a clergy standpoint, we can help people understand that to be weak is the perfect opportunity for your community and for God to be strong.” – Christian Taylor I am very concerned by the statistics on suicide and discouraged by stories I have heard of cases even in my own church. What leads a person to that breaking point, and what can we do to prevent it? Elizabeth, church member, 65 “It’s a dark place. [You feel] hopeless, powerless, and like nothing is going to change. I have nothing to grab on to, so I need an exit.

[Someone feeling like this needs a counselor] to engage with them and ask them the hard questions. They need to feel they are not alone. You’re not going to necessarily talk somebody out of feeling that way, but just your presence may be the one thing they can hang on to.” – Justin Cunard “Physiologically and neurologically things are happening [to this person], so it’s not always a thought-out, conscious choice.” – Dr. Andrea Tackore “When that terrible situation happens, [many people say] they could see the signs in hindsight. The realization is, if we’re human, we’re capable of slipping into that dark spot. If that’s the case, then we ought to look for those opportunities to encourage and connect, even if it’s difficult with our busy lives.” - Tim Cook FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

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EQ

Scan here to take a quiz and discover your emotional intelligence.

FOR IMPROVED

RELATIONSHIPS

By Dr. Annie Pérez, Ph.D., MA, BSN, RN Health Psychologist, Marriage and Family Counseling FLC Director Women’s Ministries and Prayer Ministries

Have you ever been told you are insensitive or too direct with people? Do you prefer to talk rather than listen? Does conflict follow you? Are these questions annoying you? It could be due to low emotional intelligence. Do not despair; read on.

1. Self-management – You’re able to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.

What is it?

2. Self-awareness – You recognize your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior. You know your strengths and weaknesses and have self-confidence.

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and resolve conflict. EQ also allows you to recognize and understand what others are experiencing emotionally. EQ is a nonverbal process that informs your thinking and influences how well you connect with other people. In other words, being aware that emotions can affect our behavior and impact people around you positively and negatively. It is essential to learn how to manage those emotions – especially when we are under pressure.

Unlike intelligence quotient (IQ), which does not change significantly over a lifetime, our EQ can evolve and increase with our desire to learn and grow. EQ helps you build stronger relationships, succeed at school, work, home, and achieve your career and personal goals. Here are the four areas that influence your EQ: 8

FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

3. Social awareness – You have empathy. You can understand other’s emotions, needs, and concerns, pick up on emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, and recognize the power dynamics in a group or organization.

4. Relationship management – You know how to develop and maintain good relationships, communicate clearly, inspire and influence others, work well in a team, and manage conflict.

You may be asking, why is EQ important? As we know, it’s not always the most intelligent people that are the most successful or the most fulfilled in life. You probably know academically brilliant people who are socially inept and unsuccessful at work or in their relationships. Your IQ isn’t enough on its own to be successful in life. Yes, your IQ can help you get into college, but it’s your EQ that will help you manage the stress

and emotions when facing your final exams. IQ and EQ exist in become overly stressed, you can lose control of your feelings conjunction and are most effective when they work with each and the ability to act carefully and appropriately. Have a plan ready to use on how to react when facing a specific stressful other. situation. You’ll be able to make positive choices that allow High emotional intelligence can help you navigate your you to control negative feelings and behaviors, manage your workplace’s social difficulties, lead and motivate others, and emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on excel in your home, school, and career. In fact, when it comes commitments, and adapt to changing situations. to evaluating important job candidates, many companies now view emotional intelligence as being as important as technical 2. Practice self-awareness. In other words, understand how your mood and emotions may impact you and other people. ability. Let’s take a look at how a low EQ can affect you.

How can EQ affect me?

Your ability to manage primary feelings such as anger, sadness, fear, and joy often depends on the emotional experiences Having a low EQ can affect your physical and mental health, of your early life. If your emotional experiences as an infant social life, and your relationships. The first step to improving were confusing, threatening, or painful, you probably don’t emotional intelligence is learning how to manage stress. If acknowledge painful emotions. Connecting to your feelings you’re unable to manage your emotions, you probably are not and being aware of how they’re affecting you and others is the managing your stress either. This mismanagement can lead to key to understanding how emotions influence your thoughts serious health problems. Uncontrolled stress can raise blood and behaviors. pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of a heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up 3. Apply social awareness. In other words, make friends by developing a rapport with them. the aging process.

Uncontrolled emotions and stress can also impact your mental health, making you vulnerable to anxiety and depression. If you cannot understand, be comfortable with, or manage your emotions, you’ll also struggle to form healthy relationships.

Having unhealthy relationships can leave you feeling lonely and isolated and further exacerbate any mental health problems.

By understanding your emotions and how to control them, you’re better able to express how you feel and understand how others are feeling. This allows you to communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships, both at work and in your personal life.

In order to build social awareness, you need to be present in the moment to recognize subtle changes in verbal and nonverbal cues. Avoid multitasking, such as looking at your phone or watching TV. By doing so, you’ll miss the subtle emotional shifts taking place in other people that will help you understand them. Paying attention to others doesn’t diminish your self-awareness. By paying attention to others, you’ll gain insight into your own emotional state as well as your values and beliefs.

4. Develop relationship management. In other words, work well with others to understand what other people are Being in tune with your emotions serves a social purpose, experiencing. connecting you to other people and the world around you.

Social awareness enables you to recognize friends from foe, Recognizing the nonverbal messages that you send to others measure another person’s interest, reduce stress, balance can play a considerable part in improving your relationships. your nervous system through social communication, and feel Use healthy humor and have fun to relieve stress. Humor, laughter, and fun are natural antidotes to stress. Conflict and loved and happy. disagreements are inevitable in human relationships. Resolving conflict is healthy, and it can strengthen trust between people.

What can I do about it?

Healthy conflict resolution can encourage openness, creativity, Here are four skills you can implement today to improve and safety in your relationships. your EQ. The skills that make up emotional intelligence can be learned at any time. However, remember that there is a To improve your EQ, think before you act. Then, acknowledge difference between merely learning about EQ and applying and be aware of your emotions and how your feelings affect that knowledge to your life. To permanently change behavior you and your loved ones. Follow it by decreasing your stress in ways that stand up under pressure, you need to know how and be in the moment with your friends and family. Finally, try to overcome stress in the moment and in your relationships to to put yourself in other people’s shoes and resolve conflicts in a healthy way. Practice these skills every day, and you’ll remain emotionally aware. improve your emotional health and interactions with others.

1. Exercise self-management. In other words, think before you act.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

To improve your EQ, you must be able to use your emotions Against such things there is no law”. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) to make positive decisions about your behavior. When you FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

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Fresh Air, Cardio & Christian Fellowship

By Vivian L. Perez

A little over 12 years ago, I shared with my husband the burning desire to help others with their fitness journey.

But more so than just getting fit or being in shape, I felt a strong conviction to share my spiritual beliefs alongside encouraging others to be physically healthy. I felt the importance of taking responsibility for the bodies that God has given us as not just our duty, but a privilege that has been bestowed upon us! 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Throughout the past five years, our ministry, GFit, has been able to provide classes and information that have helped many students achieve greater levels of health. What does GFit stand for?

G - God above all things Frequency - How often we visit with God Intensity - How much of ourselves we devote to our relationship with Him Time - How much time we sacrifice for Him

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FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

Everyone from our youngest students– toddlers– to those in their 80s have participated in group sessions like Boot Camp workouts and Christian Zumba.

Many participants have been able to reduce the number of medications they take due to their improving health, including one church member who was taken off two different medications, with a doctor’s approval, after several months of working out. Others have trained for and entered races, and surpassed their fitness goals on many levels. Their successes have raised not just their self-esteem but also their understanding that God wants us to be healthy, happy, and achieve more than just getting by in life.

We have also seen many friendships flourish as a result of the Christian

camaraderie and fellowship that takes place every week. Exercise can sometimes be tough to get through, but when we do it together, it seems like less work as we laugh and smile our way to better health.

We’ve had incredible opportunities to invite non-churchgoers and community members to a place where they can experience this Christian fellowship firsthand. Many have stopped out of curiosity during our outdoor Boot Camp classes and eventually became part of our regular group. We have had the chance to witness, pray for, and fellowship with individuals, without the formal atmosphere of Sabbath morning church. One student began regularly attending because a friend invited her to a class. After six months

of never missing one session, she began Bible studies and was baptized along with her husband and two boys.

God is good!

It is essential to offer our church community, now more than ever, a place where they can be blessed physically as well as spiritually. In a poll of Christians of all generations, 92 percent said they considered their health a top priority. You can begin reaching out to people simply by inviting them to go for a walk, whether physically together or socially distanced while on the phone. Walking every day is essential, especially now that most of us are sheltering in place at home. With fresh air, cardio, and time spent with Jesus, we can get through these tough times together.

FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

11

SELF CARE PLAN MIND

Today I:

BODY

Prayed when I woke up

Take Breaks

Be Creative

Read

Learn New Things

SPIRIT Pray

Help Others 14

Spend time in Nature

Sing

FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

Eat Healthy

Drink Water

Took a break to play outside

Relaxation

Exercise

HEART Have Fun

Time with Family

Time with Friends

Laugh

Drank water and ate something healthy Did something I love (sing, play with my pet, talk to a friend on the phone) Talked to someone I trust about my day

My name is

Ia m

a go od

fri e

ou d

of m ys elf

n

w

Finis h th e se nte I am nce goo and da t col Ia m or t mo st he ha I li rai pp ke y n my wh bow s Ia e e n lf m wh ! pr e

n he

nd

en h w

4 I am wo nderfully made!

Psalm 139 :1

FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

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You will keep in perfect peace, all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

-Isaiah 26:3

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FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

What You Eat Becomes You, What You Think Directs You.

By Alexander E. Schlussler

Some years ago, I heard a Rabbi teaching on eating healthy.

For the most part, I was acquainted with what he had to say.

However, there was one statement that jumped out, “What you eat becomes you.” He proceeded to tell us that, on a cellular level, everything we eat is converted into the building blocks that will replace every cell in our bodies, so what you eat becomes you. I suppose that this was also something that I knew, but I certainly had never thought of it in that way.

Can we think about this for a moment? Is our body made of candy, cookies, and soda pop? And if so, is it any surprise this world is facing a health crisis, with so many conditions and diseases caused by poor nutrition? If we feed our body with healthy foods like grains, legumes, nuts, fruit, and vegetables, we create very happy cells that can function as God designed them. However, please understand I am not suggesting that we will never become ill if we eat all the right foods; we know this is not the case and that there are many factors out of our control that can contribute to illnesses. I am saying that what we eat will profoundly affect how well the bodily systems can function.

There are times when people become trapped in a cycle of destructive thinking, and because of this, health issues may manifest. There is a passage in Proverbs that reads, “As one thinks in their heart, so they will be.” (Proverbs 23:7) In other words, what you focus on, what you think about most often, will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

In her book “Switch On Your Brain,” Dr. Caroline Leaf states, “As we think, we change the physical nature of our brain.”

Your thoughts directly connect to your body. If we worry and constantly stress, our bodies may react with feelings of depression and anxiety. We might also start to experience headaches, stomach problems, and possibly life-threatening breakdowns inside the body.

What is the last thing we think about when we close our eyes to sleep, and what are our first thoughts upon waking?

Our last thoughts of the day should fill our minds with the blessings of the Lord. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) We need to turn off the TV, put away the phone and tablet, and spend the last few minutes of the day with God. Read from Psalms or Proverbs, allowing our minds to become still in the presence of our Lord. When we rise, let us praise His name for the breath of life which He has given us and declare, “This is the day that the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) If you are caught in a cycle of destructive thinking, know this, it will break you down and shorten the time you have to enjoy all the goodness God has placed in your life. Just like you become what you eat, what you think will lead you to health and fullness.

“Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

17

Boosting your Spiritual Health When we talk about healthy living, the first things that come to mind are exercising, eating and sleeping well, and accomplishing the goals on your fitness tracker. While being in good physical condition may be our main focus when it comes to healthy living, eating right and exercising every day won’t make you healthy.

It may make you look and feel healthier, but it’s not the whole picture. According to Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute, there are six dimensions of wellness. Dr. Hettler argues that food and exercise only scratch the surface when it comes to healthy living [1].

• Strengthen the immune system

According to a 2019 Gallop poll, 54 percent of Americans surveyed said they were “very satisfied” with their personal health, and 33 percent more were “somewhat satisfied.” This may seem like great news, yet one thing missing from this statistic is the meaning of personal health for a typical American. Your health is not just a number on a scale or freedom from illness. Health is a dynamic state of complete physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” [2].

Practice self-awareness. Take a few moments to check in with yourself. Our tendency is to check in with others or check our schedule to meet our next deadline, but there is no transformation without self-awareness. Be intentional. Ask yourself, for example, these questions: What are my biggest priorities? What gives my life purpose? Am I pleasing God or myself? (Psalm 32:5)

Many people do not think of spiritual health when discussing healthy living. Spiritual health is the state of well-being that determines how we experience meaning, purpose, and hope in our life through connection with God, self, and others. When was the last time you assessed your spiritual health? You have most likely evaluated your physical and emotional dimensions, but perhaps not your spiritual dimension.

The shocking truth is that many studies show that spiritual health unites our physical, mental, and social dimensions. In other words, your spiritual health should be the focus, the most significant aspect of your health.

Benefits of Spiritual Health A large number of systematic reviews present that spiritual health can contribute to positive health outcomes. Spiritual health improves physical well-being and quality of life. For example, research conducted on patients with asymptomatic heart failure in 2009 indicated that spiritual health is positively related to better mental health. Another study showed that spiritual health influenced the regulation of depression and anxiety in patients with spinal cord injuries [3].

According to the Center for Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness Care, having a healthy spiritual life can help: • Regulate blood pressure and, therefore, lower the risk of heart disease 18

FLORIDA FOCUS | SPRING 2021

• Regulate blood sugar levels • Sustain concentration, memory, and cognition • Physiologically control the secretion of some hormones, which improve blood supply and other metabolic activities in the body. This process also helps individuals experience an elevated mood with joy, happiness, and feelings of overall wellness [4].

7 Ways to Boost Your Spiritual Health

Be vulnerable. Vulnerability is taking the risk to expose yourself emotionally to God, yourself, and others you can trust. It is painful and full of uncertainties, but there is no other path to growth and transformation. (1 Corinthians 2:3-4) Pray and meditate. Developing the spiritual practice of prayer and meditation will improve your spiritual health. There is power in a prayerful life. (Mark 11:24) Feed your soul with the Word of God. The more time we spend reading and listening to the Word of God, the better prepared we are to tackle all the storms we face in life. (2 Peter 1:4) Worship. Since you were created to worship God, your soul will never rest until you find a worship connection with your creator.

Failure to worship leads to isolation and a self-centered life.

(Hebrews 10:24-25) Become a disciple of Jesus. Your call is to be a disciple of Jesus and continue His work here on Earth. When you serve and connect with others as Jesus did, you enter into the realm of servanthood. Once you begin to fulfill your purpose, your life will never be the same. (1 Peter 4:10) Be accountable to someone. An accountable partner will help you stay on track with your spiritual goals and take your spiritual health to a new level. (Proverbs 27:17) [1] https://nationalwellness.org/resources/six-dimensions-of-wellness/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3263147/ [3] Hsiao YC, Chien LY, Wu LY, Chiang CM, Huang SY. Spiritual health, clinical practice stress, depressive tendency and health-promoting behaviours among nursing students. J Adv Nurs. 2010;66(7):1612–22.

[4] Center for Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness Care

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BOOKS Bible Study Growing in Jesus Vol. 1 Growing in Jesus Vol. 2 Growing in Jesus Handbook Rediscovering the Glory of the Sabbath Risen: Finding Hope in the Empty Tomb Through the Eyes of the Ancients

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LA IGLESIA HISPANA DE AVON PARK ABRE SUS PUERTAS CELEBRAND O UN EVENTO DE SANIDAD ESPIRITUAL .

Por Pastor David Rilo

El pasado 6 de febrero del 2021 se llevó a cabo en los exteriores de la iglesia hispana de Avon Park una hermosa Santa Cena, donde reunimos a la hermandad por primera vez en un evento con estas características después de casi 11 meses de tener el templo cerrado.

Durante el desarrollo de esta celebración se tomaron todas las medidas necesarias debido al COVID-19, los presentes pudieron experimentar con regocijo este encuentro desde sus vehículos, se adaptó y simplificó al máximo cada segmento del programa para que todo transcurriera de forma segura y ágil.

Tuvimos una gran respuesta por parte de la feligresía, reinó la confraternización, el gozo y la paz que sólo Jesús puede dar. Fue una hermosa vivencia de renovación, sanidad y restauración que necesitábamos experimentar como familia espiritual dado el gran deseo de estar juntos, nuevamente reunidos, a los pies del gran Maestro.

Este evento fue un oasis en medio de un año atípico para nuestra iglesia debido a la pandemia. Agradecemos a todos los líderes de la iglesia por su trabajo, dedicación y visión para adaptarnos a estos nuevos tiempos que nos está tocando vivir. ¡Que el Señor nos dé sabiduría para seguir hacia adelante unidos, cumpliendo la misión a través de vidas transformadas para Su honra y gloria!

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