Healing from Sickness: Some of my rituals and routines to avoid sickness and heal quickly

Has your community been inundated with sickness lately? Ours sure has! Flu…Pneumonia…Strep Throat…Common Cold…Seasonal Allergies…You name it. In some areas it’s been so bad that they have closed some schools down. Typically my family NEVER gets sick. Truly. I can count on one hand how many times that I’ve had to take either of my children to the doctor for an illness-related visit. We are just a healthy family. Unfortunately though, we’ve been fighting off some sickness in my family recently.

The good news is that our cases haven’t been severe and have been very short-lived. I’ve had several people ask me what we do to avoid sickness and to get over it so quickly when it does strike. This week I thought I’d hit on the “Healthy” part of “Happy, Healthy & Prosperous”. I’ll share some of our rituals and routines that keep us healthy and help us to get over sickness quickly with less severity in the rare case that we do get sick. Feel free to try out some of my tried and true practical steps for sickness prevention and healing!

My Practical Steps for Prevention

Positive confessions

I’m a firm believer in positive confessions and speaking things into existence.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)

“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Romans 4:17 (KJV)

When I was little I always used to say, “I never get sick,” and I never did. I looked forward to getting the perfect attendance award at school every year. I asked my mom one time, “Hey mom, why do you think I never get sick.” Her answer was simple, “Because you say ‘I never get sick’!” Now, a frequent saying in our house is, “We never get sick” or “We are happy, healthy, and prosperous”. We have positive confessions of health and/or healing.

Healthy eating

We try to avoid a lot of processed food, instead primarily eating fresh meats and vegetables. A trick I learned that I try to follow is to shop the perimeters of grocery store (as opposed to boxed and canned foods in the aisles). I try to shop (and garden) organic when possible, and we usually only consume hormone free meats and milk. I’m fortunate that we get the majority of our meat from my in-laws’ grass-fed cattle which they usually gift us with at Christmas. Additionally, Eric is a hunter, so we usually have a freezer stocked full of venison each year. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t follow this healthy-eating regime religiously, but I do try to make healthier choices more often than not.

Natural personal products and cleaning products

This is a big one for me. I don’t really know why, but as a kid/teen I remember asking my mom to buy “Rave” hairspray because it was pump as opposed to aerosol spray. Even in my youth I suppose I was believer in being a good steward of our God-given resources, earth, and even our bodies. I guess I’ve just always been a little weird! 🙂

I still prefer to use natural personal products when possible, and I try to avoid petrochemicals, phthalates, and other toxins. I’ve also been known to make my own cleaning products, but when I don’t, I definitely prefer to purchase natural and/or botanically-based products that are chemical-free. I’m also a huge fan and advocate for essential oils (diffused, used topically, in personal products, and in cleaning products).

My Practical Steps at the onset of sickness

Prayer

In case you don’t know by now, I’m also a huge believer in the power of prayer. We immediately start praying healing scriptures (see some examples at the end of this post) at the onset of any sickness. Our go-to prayer sounds something like,

“Lord, your word says that by Jesus’ stripes we are healed and that Jesus carried our pains. We ask you to heal our bodies based on your promises. Please alleviate and take away our pain. Thank you that we are healed!” –based on Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24

I also contact a few people to agree with me in prayer (more about the benefits of corporate prayer here). It’s important to ASK God for healing. You have not because you ask not!

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” I John 5:14-15 (NKJV)

“Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My Name, He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24 (NKJV)

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7 (NKJV)

“…You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” James 4:2 (NLT)

More Positive Confessions

In addition to prayer, we also start speaking verses over our situation. We take our God-given authority to tell sickness to leave. Our confession might sound something like this,

“By Jesus’ stripes I am healed in Jesus’ name. Sickness, I command you to leave my body. You are not welcome here. You are trespassing because I have been redeemed from the curse of the law. According to Luke 10:19 I have authority over all the power of the enemy and with that authority I bind you in the name of Jesus and command you to leave. What I bind on earth is bound in heaven! I am submitted to God, and I am resisting you so you have to flee. I believe that I have what I say, and I say that I am healed.”

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:23-24 (NKJV)

“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” Luke 10:19 (NLT)

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 (NIV) [see also Matthew 18:18]

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…” Galatians 3:13 (NKJV) [part of the curse from which we are redeemed is sickness—Deuteronomy 28:15-68]

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV) 

Take your God-given authority to tell sickness to leave!

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My witch doctor and snake oil rituals 🙂

I use that subtitle jokingly because I’ve been teased so often about my regimens. I promise you that I do not practice any kind of witchcraft nor do I use actual snake oils! However, I DO use essential oils.

• Essential Oils

For sickness, Thieves is my go-to oil. I use the recipe on this site to make my own DIY Thieves oil blend. I also use Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint, and or Lemon oils if we’re dealing with any kind of congestion or sinus issues. Oregano oil is another go-to for its germ-killing powers. First, we diffuse these oils or a combination of them. Then we apply them topically, usually to the bottoms of our feet and sometimes to our chest or throat. Next, sometimes we’ll add a few drops to a bowl of boiling water then drape a towel over our head as we inhale the steam. At night I always use a lavender roller on my wrists to help me sleep.

• Herbal Cold and Flu Tea—I swear by this!

Next my ritual always includes an herbal cold and flu tea that I make. I adapted the recipe from one of my absolute favorite sites, DIYNatural.com. You can find the original recipe here with an explanation of the benefits of each herb. I buy all of the dried herbs at a local health food & herbs store that I love. Here is the recipe I use for a large batch (mixing all ingredients and storing in a glass mason jar):

• • 2 oz. Lemon Balm (anti-inflammatory, fights viruses & bacteria, soothes headaches)
  • 2 oz. Peppermint (helps nasal congestion, soothes sore throats)
  • 2 oz. Mullein (alleviates respiratory conditions, reduces chest congestion, fights cough, eases sore throat)
  • 3 oz. Echinacea root (immune booster, reduces inflammation and pain, fights colds/flus by reducing severity & shortening duration)
  • 3 oz. Elderberry (anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating, reduces fevers, reduces healing time, blocks viruses from penetrating cells)

I steep 2 teaspoons of the tea mixture in 8 ounces of boiling water for about 3-5 minutes and adding a little bit of raw honey to sweeten it. I do this 2-3 times/day. I’m telling you, this stuff works like a charm! Now full disclosure…my kids HATE it! I almost have to force it down them, but when I do, it works.

• Homeopathic Supplements

For good measure, we usually add in a few homeopathic supplements. They include Vitamin C, Super Lysine+ (a supplement containing a mixture of immune boosting ingredients like Lysine, Vitamin C, Echinacea, Licorice, Propolis, and Garlic), Sovereign Silver (known for its immune support), Sambucus Drops (concentrated from elderberry, see medical studies and information here), and Raw/Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (mixed with water and consumed, or gargled for sore throat). I purchase most of these at our local Sprouts Farmers Market or Whole Foods, but you could probably find them at any natural or health food store or online.

• Nasal Rinse (or Neti Pot)

This one was a new one for us recently. I had a couple of friends who recommended it, one who had frequent, recurring bouts of strep throat until she started doing nasal irrigation. The benefits of nasal irrigation or rinsing include cleaning out nasal and sinus passageways to clear them of any irritants, contaminants, allergens, viruses or bacteria. It also reduces congestion. To be honest, I was a little leery at first. I mean, who wants to feel like they’re drowning!? However, it really wasn’t that bad at all. The process feels similar to when you get water up your nose when you’re swimming. I really could tell a big difference afterward though, so now I am a fan. Note: I was told to ONLY use distilled water or it would burn!

• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup/Bone Broth

Old wives’ tale or not, there’s something to be said for some good ol’ fashioned, homemade chicken noodle soup. I do believe there might be some healing properties in this stuff. Plus, it’s just yummy comfort food.

• The good ol’ doctor!

I prefer to try all-natural, homeopathic avenues first before running to the doctor or immediately jumping to prescription medications. I’m not a fan of all of the side-effects of pharmaceutical drugs, and it seems like more and more bacteria are becoming resistant to the overuse of antibiotics. HOWEVER…I am not stupid. It would be very foolish and unwise of me to avoid these things completely. I do believe whole-heartedly in the wisdom and practice of medical doctors, and I believe that God has gifted and called them to do what they do. I am very thankful for modern advances in medicine. Also, I am very grateful for doctors and their expertise and training. I absolutely defer to them and seek their guidance when sickness escalates or doesn’t improve.

SCRIPTURES ON HEALING

Healing was one of Jesus’ defining characteristics—He healed them ALL (not some, ALL)

“News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed–he healed them all.” Matthew 4:24 (NLT)

“When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.”” Matthew 8:16-17 (NKJV)

“Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all” Matthew 12:15 (ESV)

“A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.” Matthew 15:30 (NLT)

“As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one.” Luke 4:40 (NLT)

“Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.” Luke 6:19 (NLT)

Verses on healing and health

“Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.” Jeremiah 33:6 (NKJV)

“Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” Isaiah 53:4-5 (HCSB)

“…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:18 (NKJV) [not all healing is immediate—sometimes we recover over time but it’s still healing nonetheless]

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:14-16 (NKJV)

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness– by Whose stripes you were healed.” I Peter 2:24 (NKJV)

“…your faith has made you well, go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:34 (NKJV)

“No harm will come to you. No sickness will come near your house.” Psalm 91:10 (GW)

“He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.” Psalm 107:20 (NLT)

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” Psalm 103:1-3 (NIV)

“The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness.” Proverbs 18:14 (NKJV)

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” III John 1:2 (NKJV)

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…” Galatians 3:13 (NKJV) [part of the curse from which we are redeemed is sickness]

“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord…” Jeremiah 30:17 (NKJV)

God is Life-Giving

“…with long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:16 (NKJV)

“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Psalm 118:17 (NKJV)

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11 (NKJV)

What are some of your rituals and routines to avoid sickness and heal quickly? Share them with us by leaving a comment below.

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