OBEYING GOD MEANS A HEALTHIER LIFE
The Importance of a good relationship between body and mind in the process of healing has long been recognized by the medical profession. Good and experienced doctors will encourage positive attitudes and feelings before any medical procedure or operation. It has long been
observed that patients with good mental outlooks will generally do better during an operation, and also recover faster afterward.
The Bible is not a "medical book" in the physical
sense, but obeying it's commands means a healthier life, physically and mentally. This is not to say that Christians are immune from sickness, or that being ill necessarily means one is not faithful to God. Viruses and diseases contaminate no matter what we do religiously or how devout we may live our lives. We live in a deteriorating
environment and the human body will always be subject
to life's diseases. But by putting our trust in God and by faithfully obeying His commands, we will better control such things as worry, fear, anxiety and stress, and such things which we know plague good health.
Consider the following actions God requires of us,
and then consider the studies recently made in these
areas:
Close Interpersonal Relationships: God commands Christians to develop close association with other Christians: "...that you standfast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel" - Phil.1
:27; "Love one another fervently with a pure heart" - 1Pet.1
:22. Twenty seven hundred people studied by University of Michigan researchers over fourteen years showed that those with close interpersonal relationships had two and one half times lower death rate than those who did not.
Group Work Activity: God commands Christians to "work together" to achieve
spiritual and physical goals: "From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" -
Eph.4:16. Study researchers from the Universities of Yale and California at Berkeley showed in a study of over 7,000 people over a period of nine years that
those who avoided working in community service endeavors (charity clubs, hospitals, churches,
helping the poor, etc.) had mortality rates twice those who were involved in group actions. This study of over nine years showed that race, income and lifestyle were not factors in the outcome.
Kindness, Gentleness, Patience, Forgiveness: God commands Christians to develop positive qualities towards others: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another,' even as Christ
forgave you, so you also must do" - Col.3:12-13. A study by Duke University has shown that heart
dysfunctions are more likely to occur in people who exhibit constant hostility towards others. Continued hostile attitudes interrupt healthy interpersonal relationships, which in itself is unhealthy, but this lack of control with relational stresses raises blood pressure, upsets proper digestion, disturbs normal sleep patterns, and is generally damaging to overall physical and mental health.
Friends, brethren, let's do all possible to submit to God. Let's follow His commands to develop
good interpersonal relationships, to work together for good and wholesome causes, and to develop good, kind, gentle, and forgiving attitudes towards others. It will not only mean a pure soul, but also
a healthier mind and as a result, a healthier body.
LE
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