The Spiritual Side of Holistic Health

Greetings!  It has been a long time since I have written a blog here.  I tend to write when the subject that is on my heart is too long for a Facebook post, or it just seems like the time to do so.

The past few weeks, I have been drawn to do a study on the book of Proverbs.  This is known as the wisdom of Solomon, which was bestowed upon him by the Lord.  When God asked him what he wanted, Solomon didn't ask for riches.  He asked for wisdom, and the Lord granted his request.  If you know the history of Solomon, he apparently didn't always make the wisest choices in his later years, but he did have a lot of godly wisdom that is still timely today, and always will be, regardless of what the world may say.

In the field of holistic health, we pride ourselves on focusing on the whole person that is before us.  We do not see only the physical or a symptom or disease.  The idea is to address physical health along with the mental, emotional, and spiritual areas of life because ALL are intertwined.  While studying the book of Proverbs, I have been convicted of the fact that when I talk with clients or people at workshops, I stress the physical along with a bit of mental and emotional.  Do you see what's missing?  I am leaving out the most important part!  I think it is because the other areas are perhaps more acceptable to talk about, more easily received.  This is not an excuse!  I have not been doing all that I am called to do as a disciple of Christ!

Time and time again, Proverbs states that meditating on the Word of God brings health and life to our flesh.  He doesn't say it once or twice; it is SEVERAL times.  This means it is something we should pay attention to.  Here are just a few examples:  

“Let your heart hold fast my words;  
    keep my commandments, and live."  (Proverbs 4:4) 
"Hear, my son, and accept my words, 
    that the years of your life may be many. (Proverbs 4:10)
"My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their flesh." Proverbs 4:20-22

Likewise, there are several warnings about what happens when we don't listen to God's Word and go through life doing it our way.  The choices we make spiritually effect our health.  They will either bring life and healing, or death and destruction. 

" The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death."  (Proverbs 14:27)
"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,
    but envy makes the bones rot."  (Proverbs 14:29-30)

If we choose to live the life that God has intended for us, it will bring healing and health to our bones (and our entire bodies) but we need to choose to live His way, regardless of what our culture may try to influence us to do.  Every day, every moment, we make that choice.  What will you choose?

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