9.5 Years Longer

We often hear of reasons for people's long lives. I googled this myself after I heard this and you can google it also.  It seems some investigators looked at Obituaries and found that people that had a connection to a Church, involvement in some church stated in their obituaries compared to people that had no mention of religion in their obituaries lived 9.5 years longer. There were several articles that listed from 5 years to 9.5 five years in their investigation.  Proverbs 3 states: "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you." (ESV)  And in Deuteronomy 5:16 is probably one of the best known scriptures promising long and peaceful lives:  "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." (ESV)   I understand that God has days designated for each of us and it does not mean a Christian cannot have a short life. My 11-year-old Grandson lost his mother at age 34. I lost my father at age 74 while many of his siblings lived into their 80's and 90's.  As a general rule, the investigation showed this to be true.  I listed just a couple of scriptures above, but there are many throughout the Bible and although I associated it with honoring parents I found it is stated many times without that connection.  One study was done without looking at eating healthy and exercising and another study looked at both. Sometimes living a godly lifestyle will affect many areas of life other than just our faith.  I think people of faith often don't worry about normal everyday things, less stress, and that is healthy.  I think it is a good thing to remember in our current political atmosphere where we are bombarded with the fear of the Corona-virus. God already had the number of our days tabulated before the Corona-virus started. It may be that is the thing that will take us out but as I am reminded of my grandson's 34-year-old mother, it wasn't the Corona-virus that took her. I hope I remember writing this and look at it in the future. I have a lot of Bible believers in my extended family. The important thing to remember is there is another life after this one that is attained by believing and trusting in Jesus.  God bless, LVZ.