A Spiritual Basis of a Healthy Lifestyle
Our spiritual health is far more important than our physical health, but the two are connected. Throughout the Bible it is made clear that obedience to God’s Word brings health and healing, while disobedience may bring judgements upon us; that sometimes may extend into our physical health. 1 Corinthians 11:31 tells us, however; how we may avoid this divine chastening; For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
To judge ourselves we are to allow God to guide this self-examination. Are we honestly open to the idea of at least moving in the direction of a spirit led life; or are we actively straddling the fence and/or fooling ourselves as to our intentions? Are we really open to identifying the demons that may exist in our innermost being, and having them uprooted and chased away; or are they allowed to remain in place, well covered with excuses and justifications?
A spiritual connection that is very easy to understand is the physical damage done by the stress of deadly emotions that often accompany ungodliness; anger, hostility, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc… Through our life in Christ we can, however; uncover and address the spiritual issues that lie at the roots of these emotions. We can combat; the greed and unwillingness to be content with the things of God that lead to a lifestyle based on chasing a dollar, the self-centeredness that leads us toward harmful stress as we become angry and frustrated with those that don't meet our needs and/or see things our way, the unforgiveness that robs us of our joy and allows animosity to remain within us, and the pride and self-esteem issues that have us living in fear and prevent many of us from taking an honest look at ourselves!
In addition, are we demonstrating a lack of regard for the temple (body), that allows us to mistreat it with poor eating practices, the ingestion of harmful substances, etc… God has natural laws of health; sufficient sleep and exercise, good nutrition, and the prevention and elimination of stress; but just as our society encourages us to be ok with promiscuity, violence and greed; it also makes it easy for us to accept an unhealthy lifestyle, that trivializes God's natural health laws. God is able to heal us of any damage that we do to our body, but He does not want us to put Him to the test by ignoring the laws that He put forth for our body's care. Just as Jesus knew not to jump from the pinnacle of the temple, and depend on God to send His angels to rescue Him (Matthew 4:5-7); we also must know to pray for the ability to properly care for our health, despite the distractions and temptations that face us daily.
Changing patterns of thinking and behavior is most often not quick or easy. Our body may even demonstrate cravings and withdrawal symptoms as we try to drastically lessen or eliminate certain bad habits and practices, however; through Christ all things are possible! Failures and "set backs" can become stepping stones, if we're persistent in making quality efforts to do what is right. Just as God allowed us to change our minds and be delivered from other unsavory things, we can be saved from the self-destructive and self-handicapping behaviors that come against our health.
