It has been
said: “You never fully appreciate something until you lose it.” You take
certain things for granted, thinking they will always be present but then
something happens. Things change and you are awakened to how grateful you should
have been for what you had. Loss can stimulate this type of awareness.
You should
have done this. You shouldn’t have done that. You ask yourself “why didn’t I
see it?” “Why did I act so selfishly?” “Why didn’t I appreciate what I had?”
I often take
for granted my health. At 61 years of age, I’ve never had a surgery and only
visit the doctor’s office occasionally. I seem to have a utilitarian body! It
doesn’t look all that great but it keeps on ticking and running like the
energizer bunny. When sickness hits and I lose my strength, however, I awaken
to a new appreciation and gratitude for a healthy life.
The Bible
reveals God as our healer. He doesn’t eliminate sickness from our human
experience but he does want to help us recover our health when it’s lost.
High on
God’s agenda is emotional health, mental health and spiritual health as well as
the physical arena. He gives five words of advice through Paul the Apostle in
Ephesians chapter 4 that will help avoid sickness and release wellness.
1. Make sure
you are connected to a healthy church family. No one remains healthy by
isolating and removing themselves from others. Church families come in all
sizes but don’t be fooled! It’s not the size that’s important - it’s the
balanced diet being offered. Bigger is not always better and smaller is not
always better. Better is better!
2. When you
connect with others in a family setting, make every effort to walk in unity.
This unity will require a give and take lifestyle. You can’t just think about
yourself; you must consider what’s best for the whole. If you follow verse 2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing
with one another in love.” The door to unity will open a little wider.
3 Unity, however, is
not based on conformity but diversity. Paul says: each person is given
different gifts, talents, abilities, perspectives, insights, tastes and those
differences are beneficial to the ongoing health of any business, group
endeavor, organization, or church family. When people are allowed to be whom
they are created to be rather than forced to fit some cookie cutter mold, your
business will thrive. Allow for diversity yet insist on unity. It produces
healthy people!
4. Truth is a good
medicine when it’s given in the context of love.
Eph. 4:15 “… by speaking the truth in love, we will in all things
grow up … .” An environment of love, acceptance and forgiveness, surrounded by
truth will boost the morale of any organization and release an atmosphere of
wellness.
5. Lastly, Paul tells us
that everyone must participate. Do what you are called to do. Don’t let others
pull your weight. If exercise is good for physical health then fulfilling your
responsibilities will produce a healthy sense of value and self-esteem. Vs. 15
“As each person does his or
her own special work, it helps the
other people grow, so that the
whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
If you’re
not feeling healthy, you may want to consider making a connection with one of
the many church families in Kings County this weekend? Follow Paul’s advice and
your strength will return. You don’t want to lose your health, so appreciate
it!
