Health and Well Being - Part 1

God is a triune being: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity created us in their image as triune beings with a body, soul and spirit (Genesis 1:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). Each entity contributes to who we are and influences our health and well-being. We experience life through our Body, we acknowledge life through our Soul, and we influence life through our Spirit.

The Body is our existence, the Soul is our expression, and the Spirit is the essence of our life. Without fully developing all three parts of our being, we are handicapped individuals. Unless we acknowledge and nurture each entity, we will never reach wholeness within ourselves, nor can we help to nurture others.

We care for our Body with proper rest, exercise, and nutrition.  We care for our Soul through safe relationships, mental stimulation and nurturing our emotional health. We care for our Spirit through Bible study, church attendance, prayer, fasting, Christian fellowship, service to God, and sharing our faith with others.

Events, which wound our soul, are only minor chapters of our life, and are definitely not the end of our story. Even if our past was good, the best is still yet to come (Jeremiah 29:11). God calls each one of us to sink our roots deeper into His river of the pure water of life, which is clear as crystal and proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1).

Prayer:

Father God, we pray for those who are traversing the dark night of their soul. Bring them nurturing friends and family to support them through this most recent chapter in their life. We also pray that You will ease this time of transition for them and reassure them of You care for them as You shower them with Your love and blessings on their road to the fulfilled Christian life.

Thought for the Day:

God's refreshment sustains us in every trial, and we know that He will work out all things for your good. - Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11

Our Eternal Destination

We care for our body with proper rest, exercise and nutrition, but we do not live for our body. It exists to encase our soul and spirit (1 Corinthians 9:27). One day we will fold up our human body like a tent and go to be with the Lord in the house, which He went to Heaven to prepare for us (2 Corinthians 5:1-4; John 14:2-3).

When our body dies, we put it in the ground, or we cremate it and scatter it to the wind; but our soul and spirit continue to live on into eternity. Our eternal destination is determined by the choices we make while living on this earth. God loves everyone in the world and does not condemn anyone to hell; but those who choose not to accept Christ as their Savior will spend eternity there (John 3:16-18).

As an authentic Christian, our identity during our lifetime is found in Christ alone. We even see Christ in one another when He replaces our human character and nature (2 Corinthians 5:16;  2 Peter 1:4). We are not drawn to the person with fancy clothes, a handsome personal appearance or worldly assets, but to one with a meek and gentle spirit, which exudes the love of Christ (1 Peter 3:4; 1 Corinthians 13:13).

For the person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her Savior and who repents of their sin, we are present with the Lord at the exact moment that our soul and spirit leave our body at death (2 Corinthians 5:8). When we see Jesus, our body will rise from the grave and be reunited with our soul and spirit as an immortal body. We will be just like Jesus after His resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 John 3:2).

Prayer:

Father God, teach us to de-emphasize our physical characteristics and possessions and to focus on the Christ in each of us. Teach us to choose friends who will spur us on to love and good works, rather than those who encourage us to partake in the works of the flesh (Hebrews 10:24-25; Galatians 5:19-21). Remind us that we will reap the choices, which we sow during our lifetime, whether good or bad. Draw those we love to Your heart, and help them to repent and to choose to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, so that they will not spend eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15; Luke 16:24-26).

Thought for the Day:

As selfishness, pride and flesh decrease in us, God can fill us through all of our being with all of His fullness.

- John 3:30; Ephesians 3:19