Spiritual Health:

I believe that spiritual health is the most important on this list for so many different reasons. Genesis 1:27 says that we, human beings, were created in the image of God. What I believe that means is that beyond the Fsurface, the deepest parts of our soul desire the things of God even if we aren’t aware of it. So when we are suffering from spiritual malnourishment, it throws almost everything else in our life out of order.

Here are a few different definitions of spiritual health:

• University of New Hampshire: Spiritual wellness is connecting to your inner and outer worlds to support you in living your values and purpose.
• Spiritually Healthy You: Spiritual health is a dimension of human wellness that integrates all dimensions of health: physical, emotional, mental, and social.
• Veteran Affairs: Spiritual health is a dimension of human wellness that integrates all dimensions of health: physical, emotional, mental, and social.

I use all of this to say that American culture as a whole agrees that there is such a thing as spiritual health. So if so many organizations not only recognize that spiritual health exists, but that it is monumentally important when it comes to the life of the average person, then how can Christ-followers make sure that our spiritual health is thriving? First thing first, we have to define what it means for a Christian to be “spiritually healthy”.

Instead of telling you what makes a spiritually healthy believer from the pit of Cody’s opinions, let’s check out Romans 12:9-21:

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21

Spiritual Health Questions (Romans 12:9-21)

• Am I increasing in my love of God? (v.9, 11, 12)
• Am I increasing in my hatred of sin? (v.9)
• Am I increasing in holy living? (v.9)
• Am I increasing in my love of others? (v.10,14-18)
• Am I increasing in the fruits of God’s Spirit? (v.12, 21)
• Am I increasing in generosity to God & others? (v.13,21)
• Am I increasing in forgiveness? (v.18-20)

Before we move on, this is not a pass/fail assessment. This is something that if used correctly, can allow us to move the ball farther down the road in our relationship with God and those around us, while also allowing us to live a more fulfilling and purposeful life. 

Mental Health:

I feel like this is the one that everyone just took a deep breath for. Go ahead, let that breath out and smile. If you are hearing this message, hear me say this: If you are struggling with your mental health today, please don’t leave without talking to somebody. It is completely possible to have a relationship with Jesus and still struggle with things like fear, depression, and anxiety. There is also hope in God’s Word that encourages us and teaches us some very valuable and practical lessons in dealing with our mental health.

Mental health is linked to the health of both the body and the spirit. We have a biblical example in Elijah, whose mental health suffered during his conflict with Queen Jezebel. Elijah fled the country to a place by himself where he wished to die (1 Kings 19:4). God dealt with Elijah’s physical needs first, feeding him and giving him time to sleep (verses 5–6)(Let it be known not to underestimate the power of a snack and a nap). God knew his journey was “too much” for him in his current state (verse 7). After Elijah had rested and recharged physically, God gave him encouragement, a new purpose, and an assistant (verses 15–18).

Jonah is an example of someone whose mental health was tied to bad choices he made. Jonah wished for death after God spared Nineveh (Jonah 4:3)—pointing to what most experts would call a state of depression. Leading up to that was Jonah’s rebellion against God. He had directly disobeyed the Lord’s command (Jonah 1:1–3), but, even after God brought him back in line, his heart was not in tune with God’s desires. Rather than marvel at God’s mercy and praising Him for His grace, Jonah wished to die. Jonah realigning his heart with God was the only way Jonah’s depression could ever end.

In some cases, outside spiritual forces have a direct effect on mental health. King Saul suffered distress as a result of an evil spirit tormenting him (1 Samuel 16:14). He only found relief when David played the lyre for him and “the spirit from God came on Saul” (verse 23). Another example of demon-related mental illness is the man from the Gerasenes who lived naked among the tombs and constantly cried out and cut himself (Mark 5:1–5). After Jesus cast the demons out of him, the man was “in his right mind” (verse 15). The spiritual battle had been won, and the man’s mental health was restored.

When it comes to mental health, what are some best practices to stay healthy?

• Study Scripture: 
• For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 1 Timothy 1:7
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
• Take your thoughts captive:
• We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
• Work to keep your mind positive:
•  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Emotional Health:

Emotional health is one of those things that we tend to not really think about until we realize that we aren’t in a good place or we encounter somebody else who is not emotionally healthy. Emotional health, like others on this list, is directly related to others on this list such as mental health, physical health, and even addiction. 

WebMD defines emotional health as,”It is your ability to cope with both positive and negative emotions, which includes your awareness of them.” In other words, a person is considered emotionally healthy when there is a state of almost equilibrium in how they cope in different situations, but also how they respond outwardly. In contrast, you might be emotionally unhealthy if you have, what our family calls, big emotions. Big emotions are normal emotions that are at an unhealthy level. Instead of just being frustrated, you are furious. Instead of being a little upset, you are beside yourself in tears. Someone that is emotionally unhealthy also tends to struggle with physical health and dealing with stress. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (Patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Some warning signs of emotional health that is in need of being addressed:

• Isolating yourself from friends, family, or coworkers
• Lower energy than usual
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Eating too much or too little
• Increased use of substances
• Racing thoughts
• Lower performance at work
• More interpersonal conflicts than usual
• Feelings of irritability, guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
• Neglecting hygiene and personal care

Physical Health:

Because our earthly bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, there is value in keeping our temples in good, working condition. The bible also says that there is value to physical training for the purpose of being physically healthy. I get that physical health can be polarized, much like anything else, but that doesn’t mean we should neglect talking about it. 

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

What Paul is saying to Timothy is that it is okay to train yourself physically, but the real value is spending your time with the Lord. 

Scripture also talks about what it looks like for us to have healthy eating habits. Whether we like it or not, our bodies are a direct result of the fuel that we put into it. 

 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

I would like to be completely transparent with you and let you know that my guilty pleasure is Blue Bell’s own, Cookie Two Step. Unfortunately, that is not an acceptable meal. 

Physical Health indicators according to the Mayo Clinic:

Signs you are physically healthy:

• Healthy energy levels
• Muscle flexibility
• Consistent/Managed weight
• Full range of motion
• You can wake up without an alarm clock 

Signs you are physically unhealthy:

• Low energy
• Constantly tired
• Gaining/losing weight rapidly
• Achy joints
• Tight muscles
• Chronic pain

Again, this list is not exhaustive, but it is a good starting point as to what God says regarding physical health and how we can establish a baseline. 

Addiction:

The word addiction has two basic meanings. The first definition, and the one most of us are familiar with, is “to cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance.” Those who are addicted or “given to much wine” (Titus 1:7; 2:3), “drunkards” (1 Timothy 3:3) or “heavy drinkers” (1 Timothy 3:8) are disqualified from teaching or holding a position of authority in the church. It’s clear that church leadership needs to be sober and self-controlled so that, by their example, they can teach others to be the same, for we know that “drunkards . . . shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:10). Believers must not be dependent upon alcohol, and it stands to reason that this would also apply to addiction to any other substance, i.e. drugs, pornography, gambling, gluttony, tobacco, etc.

The second definition of addiction is “to occupy (oneself) with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively.” This speaks of an unnatural (for the Christian, at least) obsession with anything other than God: sports, work, shopping and/or acquiring “stuff,” even family or children. We are to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5), which is, according to Jesus, the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38). We can conclude, then, that an addiction to anything other than God Himself is wrong. God is the only thing we can (and should) occupy ourselves with habitually. To do so with anything else draws us away from Him and displeases Him. He alone is worthy of our complete attention, love, and service. To offer these things to anything or anyone else is idolatry.

There is good news for those that fall into either one of these categories today:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, Luke 4:18

Application:

How to be discipled:

• In order for us to effectively grow in any of the areas we walked through today, we must be able to take an honest assessment of where we are. We must be ready and willing to grow in ANY area of life as it relates to our faith walk, including health.
• Be open to new things. Adopt, “Ill try anything once”. Hopefully the person that disciples you will not only point out areas of potential growth in your life, but also offer up ideas for you to grow in these areas.
• Seek professional help. There is absolutely wisdom to be gained in discipleship, but in most cases, professional help will exponentially help in each one of these areas.

How to disciple someone else:

• PRAY. PRAY. PRAY.
• Gentleness is the name of the game in each one of these areas. Keep in mind that just because somebody has asked  you to be in a place of value in their life doesn’t exempt your words from cutting too deep, too quickly. 
• Encourage people to seek the appropriate professional help. Therapists, counselors, and trainers are going to multiply growth in each one of these areas on an exponential level.