I have recently embarked upon a journey in pursuit of improved physical health. I am currently overweight, sedentary, and dealing with a non-curable disease. It would be easy to use the illness as an excuse for my overall poor health, but I have come to believe the truth for my overall condition is because of my own poor habits, poor choices, and lack of self-discipline.
The Bible says that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7), and certainly, we see this truth exhibited in life. For example, if I put a tomato plant in the ground, I expect to harvest tomatoes. Cause and effect, right? If I eat irresponsibly, and forego exercise, then it makes sense that my weight will increase and subsequently, my health will decrease. I’m merely reaping what I have sown. So not only am I now changing my eating habits and increasing my physical activity, but I am also striving to retrain my brain. I realize that I need to learn a new way of thinking to better maintain a healthy lifestyle. I have developed a mantra of sorts: “Fat or fit? Which do you want to be, Brian? It’s your choice. Fat, or fit?” When I think about eating incorrectly, or when I am tempted to skip physical activity, I think to myself, “Fit or fat? You reap what you sow.” It’s helping! I’ve already begun to lose weight, tone up, and feel stronger and healthier. People have begun commenting that they can see physical changes in me, and that feels good too.
This same important concept can also apply to our spiritual health. Returning to Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he wrote, “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:7-8). If we become lazy or irresponsible about our relationship with God, then it will become unhealthy. (This, of course, assumes that one has already correctly entered into a healthy relationship with God! That’s a chat for another time.) Attending a corporate worship service (i.e.- Mass, or a church prayer service, for example) once a week is certainly no guarantee that you will have a strong, healthy relationship with God. Don’t misunderstand; such attendance and participation is very important! But if that is all you do, then you are not very likely in a healthy relationship. Such an approach is a lazy, spiritual-maintenance approach to Christianity, and is the equivalent of only hitting the gym once a week – it is a good thing but not enough of it to truly benefit your body.
So how should we work to maintain spiritual health? First, love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. This is the “first commandment” given us by Jesus (Matthew 22:36-38). Second, love others. Yes, this is the “second commandment” that our Lord issued (Matthew 22:39). This includes your family (1 John 4:20) and your spouse (Ephesians 5:33). Beyond this, ensure that your life as a Christian is a life of obedience to Jesus. He said, “If you love me, obey My commandments” (John 14:15) and questioned, “Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and don’t do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46). Obedience is an integral facet of a healthy spiritual relationship. If we obey, we will not only join other believers in worshipping God, but we will also be active in serving Him. We should pursue a vital, growing prayer life which is continuing throughout our day. We should often be involved in Bible study, Bible reading, Bible memorization, and simply contemplating the biblical truths revealed to us daily. We should be purposeful in our approach to our faith.
I mentioned that I am working to retrain my brain about how I approach my physical health. It may be that you have read this far and are, perhaps, thinking that you would like to retrain your brain regarding your own spiritual health. If so, know that the YMCA is committed to that aspect of your health as well as your physical and mental well-being. If you would like to discuss a plan for improving your relationship with Jesus, please feel free to contact me through the YMCA. In closing, I will repeat the beloved disciple, John, “Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually” (3 John 1:2)