Spirituality and Health

Blaise Pascal philosophized that each of us has a God-sized vacuum inside. …He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy]… Ecclesiastes 3:11, Amplified Bible

The research of Harold Koenig of Duke University Medical Center reveals that people who pray daily have stronger immune systems. Those who attend a place of worship—church, synagogue, mosque or temple—live longer, happier, healthier lives. Hospital patients for whom prayer is part of their regular routine are discharged sooner. Ever received a prescription for prayer from your doctor? According to a Parade magazine survey, 95% of physicians consider prayer an important part of their patients’ overall well-being.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… Romans 12:2 I wonder what the “pattern of this world” was in Paul’s day. In our society, we push ourselves to the limit, filling up every moment of our days with some activity. But does activity equal accomplishment? We judge our lives productive and meaningful when we’re actually just busy.

One of Satan’s oldest and most common (and effective!) ploys is to keep us busy. Especially doing “good” things. Remember the story of Mary and Martha? …Mary…sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’ Luke 10:38-42

I love hostessing and entertaining, so I identify with Martha. Every time I read that story I want to say—“But Jesus…!” Isn’t it important that the house look nice? Isn’t it important to have a good meal prepared? It may be, but…

How easily we become “humans doing” rather than human beings. Neglecting what is better for what is good. But research also shows that the brains of animals exposed to too much stimulation cease developing.

I work with people who want to lose weight, lower blood pressure or cholesterol and improve their fitness. I help them follow through on their good intensions; I’m a wellness coach. We define their long-term health-related goal and then break it down into bite-size pieces. We determine what it will take week by week, and then I call them each week to ask if they followed through. The most common excuse I hear for not following through is, “This was just a busy week for me…” Or, “This is a really busy time of year for me…” As if any other week or any other time of year is less busy! I’m not afraid to remind them that life is busy; we simply make time for what we want to make time for.

So how do you remedy this tendency to overwork? Start by scheduling 30 minutes every day to do whatever you want to, and keep this appointment with yourself just as you would an appointment with anyone else. Incorporate prayer and meditation on God’s word into your daily routine. Consider instituting a weekly vacation: Take one day in seven, like the Jewish Sabbath, to rest and refocus your life from an eternal perspective. Turn off the TV, avoid the mall; instead, spend time with other believers and with God.

People recognize a peaceful, meaningful, centered life from a long way off and want to know how to get it.

All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God. In them is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practice… We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10… Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, he who is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts. (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, p. 58)

In the words of St. Augustine, “You made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

Four ways to improve your relationship with God:

1)      Spend time with Him in conversation (also known as “prayer”)

2)      Worship and fellowship with other believers

3)      Read and study the Bible

4)      Apply to your life what you learn