Have you ever had trouble grasping a concept? Have you ever been presented with an idea you don’t quite understand or a skill you’ve struggled to master? Whether at home, in the office, or in the classroom, what’s the best way to overcome? Go back to basics.
It might be calculus, cooking, or crochet, but just about everything has a fairly simple foundation. And this applies even to health matters. Total health and wellness require that we understand the basics; that we go back to the beginning.
Biblically speaking, the beginning was in the Garden. Eden was perfect–no sickness, no disability, no trauma, and no pain. In the beginning, mankind enjoyed total wellness, and mankind was whole. Then came the disconnect. The perfect relationship that existed between God and mankind was made imperfect, and with this separation came disease and death.
Our goal, however, is to be whole. And while we will never be totally exempt from disease and affliction, it makes sense to reflect on the basics. Going back to basics means we reconnect with God. We examine our hearts for attitudes that are not in keeping with the Holy Spirit. We scrutinize our actions and eliminate behaviors that can disrupt a harmonious fellowship with God. We do some soul searching to discover where we are disconnected, and evaluate how our health is impacted.
Sadly, hundreds of thousands of people die each year from diseases that are preventable. And millions of others are afflicted to such an extent that they aren’t experiencing the vigor and vitality that come with good health. Heart disease, various forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and many other conditions are either caused by or exacerbated by how we live. Our diets, activity levels, habits and addictions play a major role in the state of our wellbeing.
Clearly, so much preventable disease is indicative of a disconnection with God. How can I be sure? All we need to do is consider some of the attributes of God. When we are connected to God, we manifest such virtues as sacrifice, discipline and self-control. The absence of these virtues “the disconnect” can actually jeopardize our health.
SACRIFICE
God’s love is manifested in sacrifice. John 3:16 says God gave His Son to us because of His love for us. A sacrificial spirit is the evidence of agape love. What then, are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of our health? Second servings? Cigarettes? Sugary beverages? An unwillingness to sacrifice is a sure indication of a need to reconnect with God, whose very nature is that of sacrifice.
DISCIPLINE
Good health requires discipline, another attribute of God. As His followers, we are called to lead lives of discipline, moderation, and sobriety. Discipline is the driving force behind regular exercise. Discipline guards us from creating a list of excuses as to why we can’t take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk instead of drive. We know a sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and even depression. Physical activity is beneficial for every part of our being – body, mind, and spirit. Reconnecting with God will give us the discipline we need to stay physically fit.
SELF-CONTROL
Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. But when we consider self-control, it’s important that we don’t limit our thinking to the matter of resisting temptation and controlling the appetite. True self-control means we govern our entire being, including our emotions. Medical research confirms what the Bible has said all along – toxic emotions can destroy our health. Anger, bitterness, envy, pessimism, and ingratitude are toxic. They increase our risk for physical disease, and they give strong evidence of being disconnected from God. The Holy Spirit’s nature is self-control, and that control extends even to our emotions. The Apostle John said, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2). God’s desire is that we enjoy total health and wellness. Reconnect to Him and rejoice in the benefits.
