12/20/23 BEING THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER

12/20/23 BEING THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER

I have a reason for this post, beyond it being a personal update.

I have enjoyed good health for about ten months. For a few months prior to that I went through some major health issues, which required hospitalization, continued therapy, medication and help from fellow church folks, without which Martha and I would have been even further burdened. Martha (as always) has managed my care, my medication, my diet, my environment and has been my constant encourager, making my health and well being flourish. In spite of my physical ailments last year, I have enjoyed some of the best health I have had for many years. Not that I have received my glorified body, but my breathing and mobility has been nothing short of miraculous.

Recently, with the regional spread of various "bugs," I have contracted something that has slowed me down considerably. Even Martha (who never gets sick) has been touched by this recent outbreak.

Actually, my whole family (at least locally) and my parishioners have gone through more and varied health problems this past year than we have typically faced through the years. From my communications with other folks, I don't think this is unusual in these days.

The Bible tells us that not all physical ailments are related to a person's spiritual condition. As we see in the life of Job, sometimes the righteous suffer and in fact, physical trial can be the avenue through which God receives glory and sends His blessing.

This life is full of testing and trial.
It is not whether we will be tested, but rather, how we will respond to God's testing. Sometimes our testing is God's reaching out to us, when we don't respond to His kindness. The Bible teaches us that God wants to draw people to Himself through His love, kindness, blessings, but if we refuse to submit to Him, He will use troubles and trials to drive us to repentance.

Hardship or suffering can cause some people to become reflective, compassionate. It is too bad that God has to use the bad stuff in life to get the attention of some folks. What makes it really sad is that most of the time, the people who turn to God and godliness during times of difficulty often return to their old attitudes and actions once their circumstances change. They are "fair weather followers."

I have always found it better to be drawn by God's expressed goodness than driven by God's displeasure.
Through sicknesses it becomes evident, "when one part hurts, the whole body hurts." When the foot hurts, the whole body suffers. When the breathing is difficult, the whole system is oppressed. When the heart, the vision, the digestion is impaired the whole life is impacted. Even the seemingly minor issues of health can cripple an entire life.

This is why we should work toward good health at an early age. Once you get older, your health recovery is no longer the same.
This is why we should pay attention to the messages sent by our body, through symptoms, discomfort, weaknesses.
This is why we should be getting good input from others concerning diet, exercise, habits, lifestyle.
This is why it is good to realize that we are a psycho-physical totality.
When one part hurts, the rest of our self suffers as well.
This is why we should take action early, when we realize a physical problem.

It is better to avoid the problem, when we can, than to solve the problem.
It is better to correct the problem than to ignore the problem.

I know that what I am saying is common sense advice, and I hope it will be an encouragement for someone who is facing health problems.

BUT THAT WAS NOT MY MAIN INTENT.

The principles of a healthy and sound body, which I have addressed in this post also apply to our own spiritual health as well as our corporate "body life."

God has deliberately placed us in a family setting. (Sadly, some families are more toxic than curative). God also places believers in a local family of believers (a local church), which can and should afford the help, encouragement, instruction and support necessary for health (spiritual, relational and personal), growth and success in the Christian life.
It is true that folks can live with bad habits, poor diet, sedentary, self pleasing lifestyles, but that does not mean it is will pay off ultimately and it does not mean that the individual has no responsibility or accountability for living a selfish life. The selfish person is robbing self, family, friends, God and the work God wants them to do. This is especially true concerning our spiritual lives.

We "get away" with a lot for a while, but ultimately we either receive the Divine windfall or we reap the whirlwind.

I have taken my "job," as a husband, father, pastor seriously.
Colossians 1:27-29
27 ...Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

My heart breaks whenever anyone refuses to submit to God's word. God's word is not a suggestion, it is His revelation.
It is not simply a good way, it is the only way.
It is not just better life, it is life.
God's will is purity of heart, unity of mind, singleness of purpose.

Holiness is not a "rules and regulation form of life", holiness is loving God with the whole heart and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.
Holiness is love and love is the fulfilling of the law.
Love is the more excellent way.
This is what God desires for our families.
This is what God desires for His family.

When one part hurts, the whole body hurts.
When one part is broken, the whole body struggles and limps.

We sometimes see a person in terrible physical condition, but they are high on drugs, thinking they are strong and healthy.
We sometimes see folks in terrible spiritual condition, but they are high on self praise, self love, busyness, religious activity, erroneously thinking they are spiritually strong and healthy.

Most of us have seen loved ones who chose to live an unhealthy lifestyle, but they refused to heed warnings or accept counsel. We watch as the "train wreck" is taking place before our very eyes. This is true whether it is physical health, relational health, mental health, emotional health or spiritual health.

As I pointed out at the beginning; our health changes. We need help in dealing with our challenges. Though we cannot always heal or solve physical maladies, we can always be victorious over spiritual trial. It requires personal commitment to sound principles and a right relationship with the rest of your body.