6 Powerful Health Lessons and Health Scriptures
Health is a hot topic in today’s world and media. It’s everywhere! And everyone has an opinion, but what does the scriptures say about health? Are there health scriptures that we can reference as we continue on our health journey?
How do you define good health? Is it the many numbers that define us at the doctor’s office? Our weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, and so many others? I would like to think that good health is more than that. Good health to me is when you feel your best and your mind, body, and spirit are in true balance. But, if you want to get technical, the official definition from dictionary.com is: Health: soundness of body or mind; freedom from disease or ailment.
The definition seems simple enough, but in our high stress, high sugared, high demand world, optimal health can be something difficult to achieve. As we walk into 2020, I’m sure many of us have a health goal. It may be to lose weight, or maybe it’s to lower your cholesterol, or sleep more/better, or to simply stress less. Getting started may feel a bit overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Our Lord created us knowing exactly what we need to not only survive, but to thrive. Lets dive into His word and follow His instruction all in the hopes of truly glorifying Him with our mind, body, and spirit.
Before we jump into the “how,” let’s start with the “why.”
Many times at the beginning of a health journey your coach, doctor, or nutritionist will often ask you, why? Why are you trying to get healthy? There’s a lot of emphasis put onto the why, because if the why isn’t big enough, many will lose motivation and ultimately give up. I can’t think of a better why than we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. God chose to make you exactly how you are on purpose and we should honor our bodies, because they are truly a gift from Him.
Meditate on these words:
“ For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)
“ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” –
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Now, onto the “how.” I truly believe good health should always be looked at from the perspective of mind, body, and spirit. The three need to work together, as they nourish one another. One can not thrive without the other, so I thought that this would be the best way to share the powerful health lessons that can be found in scripture. When you’re in relationship with God – everything is truly easier. When you invite him into your heart and are continually praying and seeking His advice, it is easier to hear and feel His presence. He will be able to guide you and help you through hard times and when you feel like giving up. When we are in a relationship with God we are able to feel an amazing amount of love, comfort, and peace. This is the exact place we should be when we are trying to nourish our mind, body, and spirit.
” But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33 NIV
Many studies prove that healthy relationships contribute to our overall health and well being. When we feel supported and cared about we naturally make better choices, such as eating our fruits and vegetables, getting more and better sleep, and we even make better choices, such as not smoking. In addition, social support has also been proven to lower our stress levels, which leads to overall better health.
” The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”
Proverbs 27:9 NLT
” Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.”
Proverbs 13:20 ESV
Mind
Our mind can powerfully impact our health. When we think negatively about our health, our body usually follows. When we think positively about our health, our body usually follows. The Bible has many health scriptures that speak to our health and stress.
Manage your stress
Managing stress is critical for overall health and wellness. Chronic stress on the body can lead to many unwanted ailments including: excess weight gain, increased consumption of sugary, high and fatty foods, less sleep, and the list goes on and on.
When are bodies enter a state of chronic stress we begin to release the hormone cortisol, which God created to keep us safe in extreme situations of danger. We were never created to live in a constant state of stress, like so many of us do. Take some time to evaluate your stress levels. If you are overly stressed try some of these techniques: meditation, reading a book, talk therapy, going for a walk, or spending time nature.
“ Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
Matthew 6:25 NIV
” Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Romans 12:2 NIV
Body
Notice that we left the last health lesson and health scriptures about the body. This isn’t to under emphasize how important the body is in our health journal, but rather to remind us that our mind and spirit as just as important. We often over emphasize the body in our culture, and it’s good to downplay it’s importance every once in a while.
Nourish your body the way God intended.
Our Lord created everything that we needed to truly nourish our bodies during the first week of creation. He provided plants, seeds, animals, and water. He created each of these perfectly, because He knows exactly what our bodies need. Try to focus on eating food that comes with minimum packaging, processing, and labels. Listen to these health scriptures that focus on the nourishing our body.
“ Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
Genesis 9:3-4
” So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
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