“…and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8
It still being January, the gym is busier than it was last December and will be in another month or two. Similarly, the fast-food industry is experiencing its brief annual dip in sales brought on by the same phenomenon. Coffee chains are likely feeling the impact of these health improvement goals as many resolve to reduce caffeine intake and rest more. Sadly, most will return to business as usual soon.
I am not trying to ridicule anyone’s efforts at health improvement. I have too many failings of my own. If I had a dollar for every pound I have gained and lost, I would buy my sweet wife something nice. We should take care of the bodies God gave us. Fortunately, there are many tools available to help us: gyms, fitness apps, nutrition apps, sleep devices, nutritional supplements, etc. Dr. Douglas G. Pfeiffer’s Guide to a Longer, Healthier Life offers four pillars of health and wellness. A healthier life demands we eat right, think right, move right, and sleep right. Much clinical data sustains Pfeiffer’s pillars. It is worth noting that these same four pillars facilitate a healthy spiritual life.
Eat Right: After feeding the five thousand (John 6:1-14), a large crowd followed Jesus to Capernaum (John 6:22-25), to which He said, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you…” (John 6:27). He later told them He is the bread of life (John 6:35, 48), and that they must “…eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood…” if their souls were to live (John 6:53). This spiritual nourishment comes by consuming His words which are spirit and life (John 6:63). Several other passages highlight this necessity as well (Matthew 5:6; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:1ff). Are you eating right?
Think Right: This second pillar runs throughout Scripture. In Romans 12:1-2 and Ephesians 4:2-24, Paul urged them to have their minds renewed to be able to discern and implement the Lord’s will. They had to think right to be spiritually viable. “Stinkin’ thinkin” is as old as humanity itself. It brought about the fall in the garden, and it keeps us at odds with our God (Genesis 3:5-6; Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23). Reversing this issue and making our souls healthy again demands we think right. How are you thinking?
Move Right: As exercising our bodies builds and maintains strength and vitality, the same is true of our souls. Though we take in the right information (eat right and think right), until we put these things into practice, they bring no practical benefit. Paul told Timothy to exercise himself towards godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). The Hebrews writer urged his readers to exercise their spirits to discern good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14). Interestingly, the word translated exercise in both of these passages is the Greek word gymnadzo, from which we derive our English word, gymnasium. Are you exercising your spirit?
Sleep right: It may not be immediately evident how this connects to our spiritual wellness guide, but it is equally imperative that we rest our souls. It is easy to get so involved in life’s spiritual battles that we grow weary and tired (Malachi 1:13; Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 12:3). Jesus habitually retired to quiet places to pray (Luke 5:16; 6:12; Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46; John 6:15). If the King of kings and Lord of lords retired to places of solitude to rest His spirit, we certainly must do likewise (Matthew 11:28-30). Are you properly resting your spirit?
All four of these pillars of good health are ours in and through Jesus. Let us make sure we are eating right, thinking right, moving right, and sleeping right. Our souls’ vitality depends on it.