For Your Own Good

When it comes to our health and wellness do we consider it a spiritual discipline? We certainly think of devotions, prayer, fasting, Bible study as such, but generally with our nutrition and care of our physical and emotional health we place that in our own hands by going on diets, joining a gym, buying a workout DVD, and making New Years Resolutions. What if we moved our nutrition and general health practices into the spiritual disciplines category? What would change, if anything? Does God have anything to say about our nutrition, health and well being in his Word?

In my current study on this topic, God clearly cares about our health and wellness, from provision, guidance, instruction, and healing. Yet, we generally disregard God’s instruction by either lack of knowledge, thinking the ancient text is irrelevant to us today, or even rejection. Then we wonder why we don’t feel that great, clothes don’t fit, our general health and wellness suffers with a weakened immune system and we become more vulnerable to serious health problems.

We understand our commitment to follow through with spiritual disciplines increases knowledge, strengthens faith, and draws us closer in our walk with God. Obedience is the key. Obedience is the spiritual issue that applies to health and wellness as well. We still follow the O.T directive given to the Israelites 3,500 years ago.

And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Included in those ancient commands and decrees were numerous guidelines regarding nutrition, cleanliness, water, and rest. In the N.T. we find guidance toward emotional health in dealing with anger, resentment, worry, discouragement, persecution, anxiety and fear. Is it possible if we know and apply the health and wellness principles given to us, revealed in God’s Word that we could live healthier, happier, longer lives? I think so, and in this areas of obedience the final phrase in the above scripture is key, “…for your own good?” If we are obedient to what God has already shared with us, we will be the direct beneficiaries of our actions.

This issue is more than being on a temporary diet plan, losing 20 pounds, exercising or even reversing negative health trends, it is a spiritual issue of obedience to make life-long lifestyle changes. To know and follow through with what God has already outlined for us. It is for our own good.