This is a question that I have been pondering for the last week. Just over a year ago, I weaned myself off coffee because of my high blood pressure. I was drinking over a pot of coffee a day and I needed to stop. I weaned myself over four weeks to avoid the severe headaches. For several months I was totally hardcore about saying no to coffee but slowly I began to have a cup here and there when I was out with people. Over the last three months or so though I have began to drink coffee regularly again (several times a week anyway) and then in the last month or so I began to drink it daily again. My main reason for restarting on coffee again was I felt I needed it to give me extra energy on certain days when I was feeling worn out and tired (essentially I am drinking it purely for the caffeine).
So, the issue that I am wrestling with is this: is it wrong to drink coffee just for its "effects"? Is it wrong to rely on caffeine to give me the little extra boost that I may need to help me through the day? Should I be finding that extra strength in God and not in coffee? OR Is coffee one of those good and perfect gifts from our heavenly Father for us to enjoy? I know that this is not a great theological issue but it has been on my mind this past week.
I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this issue!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
To drink coffee or not to drink coffee?
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11 comments:
Interesting thoughts Kevin. I think your ideas are on the right track. I think coffee, like most things, is fine in moderation. A whole pot a day, that's a little overboard. I would have been in the bathroom all day! A cup a day to start the day sounds fine to me. A lot of people eat a good breakfast everyday for the same reason you drink a cup of coffee. It boosts their energy level at the beginning of the day. This should make for some fun, light discussion that's still pretty practical.
Good thoughts Matt. I never thought about how eating a good breakfast as being the same as drinking a cup of coffee. Moderation is DEFINITELY the key - sadly, something that I struggle with. Hopefully, we will get some more feedback from others!
Kevin,
I had to stop drinking coffee because of bad acid reflux. In addition, I had to make some changes to my eating habits. I had been drinking coffee pretty regularly when I stopped. But I stopped flat out. Fortunately, no headaches but I always get the urge for just one cup. Haven't had coffee in 10 Weeks. It takes alot of work, but it can be done!
Waldo
To drink or not to drink? That is the question. I say work on moderation. The problem is not coffee, the problem is a lack of self-control. I wish you all the best figuring out how to deal with this.
Good for you Waldo! I am actually on day 7 without coffee - went cold turkey this time :) The biggest reason I stopped this time was because I came down with the flu last week and the smell and thought of coffee made my gag - this lasted for about 5 days and I didn't have any headaches so I decided to continue on :)
To the last commenter: I agree that moderation is the issue (and I had been moderating my coffee intake this time round).
I guess no one wants to tackle the issue of relying on coffee (or something else) for strength instead of relying on God. Too many coffee drinkers in the house, I guess. ;-)
I agree that you probably should have a better breakfast to give you the needed energy. Protein, fruit & grain. It seems to me that you learned that when you did the Fit for Life. Sorry to hear your blood pressure has risen. Not surprising since you have been drinking a full pot of coffee daily. Save the one cup for the afternoon when you get that sugar low. Better yet have an orange or some other fruit. Good luck!
So here's a thought...as Christian's we frown upon smoking for the most part, but is a caffeine addition the same or is it "ok". I've often pondered that as I make my way to the coffee pot as other head out for a smoke at work.
You could argue that there are no health benefits to smoking and that there are a "few" benefits to coffee, but there are also alot of negative health effects from drinking coffee.
(not advocating smoking here so don't misunderstand...just a thought)
Never drink coffee for its effects! Drink it because you love it and while doing so, celebrate the goodness of God in providing such a terrific beverage! Coffee, the breakfast of champions!
Some of God's gifts have wonderful results. I know I should find my joy only in God. But I don't feel guilty because I also find joy from a physical relationship with the wife He gave Me.
I am mostly kidding. I applaud your sincerity.
mark
Good point about smoking Mr. Anonymous. :) I have pondered that as well . . .
Mark, I agree that we should enjoy God's wonderful gifts and the results of them. :)
As all things made by the hand of God Himself, the coffee is perfect. The same goes to cocaine, tobacco and marihuana trees as well. In the case of tobacco, is the 4K chemicals that they put inside which kills you an not the tobacco it self. You can easily drink up to 3 cups of coffee per day. Leonardo DaVinci his majesty was drinking up to 8 cups per day and Ainstain was a heavily smoker. Live as you like, the "worst" that can happen is to go next to the God an hour earlier...
Are you kidding me? Dude. Coffee. You're hittin' me where it hurts, lol. I just saw this T-shirt the other day that said: Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin
(yikes)
What strikes a cord with me is that, true coffee is a perfect gift, one of MANY blessings given to us to enjoy, BUT, the whole caffeine issue... you could argue the same thing about things taken to get sleepy, energy drinks, diet products eaten to get thin, certain foods eaten to get comfort.... perspective. Hmm, it is a tough one and only one God can answer for you.
And just a side note, Caffienne is very good for your skin, applied TOPICALLY. Weird eh.
Besides, Tea is the new coffee. Who wants to take on the tea grannies, or the Brittish for that matter?
tania
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