There are certain spiritual laws that contain the secret of good health, and if we will try to discover these laws and obey them, our chances of remaining healthy through the years are greatly increased.
1. Avoid pessimism and gloom.
More and more, science is discovering how closely mental attitudes and physical conditions are related. Bleak, downbeat thoughts seem to block the flow of vitality and energy. Conversely, laughter is a tonic.
“A merry heart,” says the Bible, “does good like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Of course. It is a medicine! Gloom and gladness are both states of mind, and you can choose which one to practice.
2. Rid yourself of resentment.
Bottled-up anger usually seems to strike the possessor of it at some weak physical spot. Ask God for the strength to “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
Resentment, hatred, anger, guilt—these things are like splinters in the soul. Unless they are removed they will fester and ultimately poison the whole organism.
3. Forget about yourself.
This is never easy to do, but there are great curative powers awaiting anyone who will start thinking less about his or her own problems and more about the problems of others. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
4. Cling to the lifeline of work.
Many people fail to recognize the health-giving power of work. They regard work as something inherently unpleasant, something to be avoided whenever possible. How wrong they are!
To work hard at something challenging, something you consider worthwhile, is probably the best health insurance of all. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Work can be a source of health and strength…when you let it.
5. Look forward, not back.
If you dwell on old mistakes, if you brood about past failures, if you go around lamenting what might have been, you are blocking that flow of energy and well-being which we call good health. If, on the other hand, you look forward to tomorrow eagerly and enthusiastically, if you make optimistic plans and dream hopeful dreams, your body will prepare itself almost instinctively to supply the energies you will need.
Take the Apostle Paul’s advice: “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…” Philippians 3:13).
6. Seek the Great Healer.
In one of the most beautiful scenes described in the New Testament, Jesus was on a plain near the sea. A great multitude had gathered. The Bible says, “And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all” (Luke 6:19). The Revised Standard Version renders this text: “…for power came from him and healed them all.”
The Bible also says that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He has not lost His ancient skill. The multitudes still gather today, you and I and all of us. And I tell you in His name that if we seek to touch Him, really seek to touch Him, power will come out of Him and heal us all.
How does this healing power operate? It heals the body, but that is secondary. The real sickness of man is in his mind and in his soul. And this is the part that Jesus Christ makes whole. When you are whole in soul and mind and body, you live with power and with joy.
And that is the true secret of radiant, lifelong health.
