By C.J. Addison – Columbia, MO
To learn about the importance of a balanced life and a healthy body, check out Part 1.
How do we take care of our soul life, which includes our thoughts, minds and emotions? The late Beni Johnson of Bethel Church authored a helpful book called Healthy and Free: A Journey to Wellness for Your Body, Soul, and Spirit.
It’s the first health-related book that I’ve found that connects us to how God originally designed us in spirit, soul, and body. In it, she describes the soul as essentially “the life of man looking earthward.”
Life-Giving Words
Besides being the very breath of life in our bodies that makes us a person, soul includes our experiences, what we believe, what we think, how we handle our situations, and even our self-talk.
“Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls…” Proverbs 16:24 TPT
Those life-giving words also includes how we talk to ourselves. We can choose what we think about.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NKJV
Why should we meditate or think on those things? Because our thoughts affect every cell in our body!
In Dr. Caroline Leaf’s research, she connects the dots between science and Scripture. I believe her books can give us a renewed respect for being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
She shows how healthy thoughts stimulate and build healthy cells in our body.
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 NKJV
Pleasant words come from the thoughts we choose. When we speak and think pleasant words, we bring healing to ourselves and those around us!
God is love (1 John 4:7-8), and He created us to love (Matthew 22:37-39).
When we stay in that “love state of mind,” it brings healing. That’s powerful!
We were designed to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our spirit, our spirit to guide our soul/mind, and our soul/mind to guide our body. When we live like this, we will be the most blessed and healthiest.
Bring Your Whole Self
Proverbs 3:1-8 reminds us that as we keep God’s commandments in our heart and not forget to do them, we’ll have a long satisfying life. Who doesn’t want that?
As we continue to trust in our Lord with our whole self: spirit, soul, and body, it will bring “health to our flesh and strength to our bones” (Proverbs 3:8).
We are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 NKJV
God is Spirit, and He so wants us to talk with him about every aspect of our lives. He’s not sorry that he created you! He adores you!
In Beni Johnson’s book, she encourages us to “partner with the Holy Spirit” concerning our health.
As we keep God first in all aspects of our health and wellness, we can also team up with necessary medical professionals to help us along. Remember that even the Gospel writer Luke was called “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14)!
In III John, the Lord reminds us that He wants us to prosper in our spirit, soul, and body.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2 NKJV
Let’s talk with the Lord and give ourselves lots of grace as we find our balance in this marvelous body called… “YOU!”
C.J. Addison is an aquatic fitness professional with over 20 years of experience helping people to get their bodies stronger using a pool setting. She has worked extensively with triathletes, paraplegics, quadriplegics, the Wounded Warriors, and neurological conditions, including stroke, autism, Parkinson’s, and traumatic brain injury.