HEARTLIGHT® Magazine: The Caring Touch

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You Can Be Well...
Even While You're Ill

NOTE: Thank God for Your Soul's Health
I've just returned from a funeral of a friend, David Lewis. He fought cancer valiantly for two years and died at the young age of 42. For several months he has known that the battle would not end with victory (at least, not the victory of getting well). But, today, he is celebrating a victory of another kind. You see, David's soul was healthy, his spirit was free, and it was evident in the words of his friends and family.
Of course, we all understand his desire to enjoy more life here with his treasured wife and son and daughter. But David won a victory of another kind -- a victory of faith, hope and love. As Thanksgiving Day approaches I wonder if you and I are healthy at the deepest, most lasting part of us, at the soul level?
There's a lot of difference between being well physically and being well spiritually. Today join with me in thanking God that you know him in His great creation, through the touch of those who love you, and most of all through his son Jesus. Because you know God, your Father, you can live in excellent health at the soul level. And, for my friend, David that's what really counted. How about you and me? I'm thankful to God for David's example. He is with the Lord hoping we all will be there one day.

Let me tell you about two people.
One is a person I know who is living with cancer. This person lives day-by-day, lovingly and purposefully. She lives on a high spiritual plane. Thankful for the source of every gift she receives. Life is not a bowl of sour lemons. Life is God's gift. This person has wellness. But she doesn't have health.
Then I know of another person. He performed in the 1984 Olympics, but he was constantly arguing with his coach and constantly seeking self-service and glory for himself. He wanted the newspaper interview. He wanted the prominence. He was on a trip all for himself. He had no particular life purpose except to be strong -- to win. And after the Olympics, he was unhappy. He had given little thought to anything other than the short-term goal of winning. Now, this person has health. But he is not “well” at all.
The concept of “wellness” is popular today. Wellness clinics are springing up all over the country. These clinics use methods of preventive medicine and counseling in areas such as stress management and nutritional needs. The rising popularity of these methods comes in the wake of the health and fitness craze and tells us that people are seeking something more. We now know that happiness and fulfillment don't automatically come with jogging each morning at daybreak. People want to enjoy complete health, though they often fail to understand what makes a person healthy.
The weakness in the methods being used by clinics and counseling services lies in the fact that they do not go far enough. One area is not being considered -- the area of the spirit. When the spiritual part of man is left out, total solutions are not possible.
However one study conducted by the Medical College of Wisconsin has gone this one step further. Dr. John Pilch and others are doing research that asks, “What makes us most healthy -- not only in body, but also in soul and spirit?” Research concludes that five key ingredients contribute to wellness.
This so-called new concept of wellness is merely a revival of the concept of wellness proposed by Jesus in his life and teachings. The person who bases his or her life on the teaching of Jesus easily meets these five components

Their destiny is to be with the Father.

A person is well who knows the purpose and the meaning of life. Christians know the meaning and purpose of life. Knowing that God is their Father, they know they are here to live in a way that glorifies him. Their destiny is to be with the Father.
Another ingredient identified by the Wisconsin doctors is that well people know that life's authentic, satisfying, fulfilling joys and pleasures don't come from satisfying themselves, but from living for a higher purpose and for a higher power. As Christians, we know that we have been bought with a price. We are not our own. We know Christ died so that all who live might no longer live for themselves, but might live for him who died for us. We understand that real pleasure is found in living out Jesus' teaching that it is far more blessed to give than to receive. The way of the Lord Jesus Christ creates a deep inner sense of peace, purpose, and joy.
Still another ingredient -- people who are well have found an appropriate source of motivation. For Christians motivation isn't just in giving so that they can receive. Motivation is giving out of gratitude to the God who gave us live. People who turn from self-service to serving God experience profound change. Having turned their lives toward God they are being “conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29 KJV).
Finally, there is in wellness the idea that a person who is well understands that health is far more than physical well being. Paul taught, “Though the outer man is wasting away, the inner man is being renewed day by day " (see 2 Cor. 4:16). These momentary afflictions don't control our lives because we belong to the One who created us, and the One who guides and controls all -- the sovereign Lord of the universe.
These ingredients that Dr. Pilch and his colleagues have identified as components of wellness only reflect what Jesus said. He came to people who are sick -- you and me -- and made us well by forgiving our sins.
Therefore wellness -- a properly integrated life of wholeness -- is God's gift through Jesus Christ. One may be ravaged by illness or tormented by chronic poor health. However when one's life is centered in Christ, he or she is spiritually in excellent health. What encouragement! What good news!
Everyone who truly gets well, gets well through Jesus Christ!
For more free materials on facing life without fear and living confidently for the Lord, call toll free 1(800)759-3300, or write herald@abilene.com, attn: Randy Becton.