After writing about how I need to make steps to improve my family’s health and trusting God to help us through it, I was inspired to dig deeper into what God has to say about our health and the way we care for our bodies.
How exactly does God look at health care? Does He say anything about it specifically? How does it apply to me?
For some time I’ve been mulling over the differing health care advice we sometimes receive and how we as Christians should sort through it; listening to interviews from natural health experts at a recent online health summit gave me further reason to delve into this topic.
For some time I’ve been mulling over the differing health care advice we sometimes receive and how we as Christians should sort through it; listening to interviews from natural health experts at a recent online health summit gave me further reason to delve into this topic.
I’d never heard of the bi-annual Children’s and Teen Health Summit until I was notified of it by my naturopathic doctor, Dr. Jacqui Fleury, who was one of 25 speakers on the summit.
Perhaps I could say the focus of the summit was on preventative measures we as parents can take to keep our children healthy. The speakers I listened to were all experts in their various fields which ranged from mental to oral health to home remedies and more.
I came away a little overwhelmed with the responsibility I have to keep my children in good health in today’s world.
Perhaps I could say the focus of the summit was on preventative measures we as parents can take to keep our children healthy. The speakers I listened to were all experts in their various fields which ranged from mental to oral health to home remedies and more.
I came away a little overwhelmed with the responsibility I have to keep my children in good health in today’s world.
But I also came away with stronger faith and conviction.
First of all, I realized anew that God is sovereign, all-wise and all-capable. He alone holds my life and the life of my children in His hands.
If I lose sight of that and run to protect my child from all possible harm whether through diet, educational choices or whatever it might be, I am burdening myself with something that was never mine to bear.
If I lose sight of that and run to protect my child from all possible harm whether through diet, educational choices or whatever it might be, I am burdening myself with something that was never mine to bear.
Our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to be running to protect ourselves and our children from every possible thing our minds can conjure up.
He alone is fully able to protect us. The same God that keeps us safe as we travel is more than capable of protecting us from toxins and disease.
Of course that doesn’t mean we’re guaranteed not to suffer from these things. Traffic accidents and disease do happen, sometimes through neglect or ignorance and sometimes through no fault of our own.
He alone is fully able to protect us. The same God that keeps us safe as we travel is more than capable of protecting us from toxins and disease.
Of course that doesn’t mean we’re guaranteed not to suffer from these things. Traffic accidents and disease do happen, sometimes through neglect or ignorance and sometimes through no fault of our own.
Does that mean we can and should simply leave it all to God, trusting He will provide for and protect us at all costs? No; most of the time it means doing our reasonable part while looking to Him for wisdom and direction.
We as parents are responsible to look after the children He has loaned to us for a short time.
It is our duty to teach them; most importantly, we model godly lessons in faith and character but also important are lessons about healthy habits that will keep their bodies in good health to the best of our (and their) abilities.
It is our duty to teach them; most importantly, we model godly lessons in faith and character but also important are lessons about healthy habits that will keep their bodies in good health to the best of our (and their) abilities.
God cares about how we raise our children and He is also keenly interested in our health and the health of our children.
A simple understanding of the Old Testament reveals how God instituted laws which promoted good hygiene and healthy practices for His people to follow and shows how well He cared for the health of humanity long before the advent of Western medicine.
A simple understanding of the Old Testament reveals how God instituted laws which promoted good hygiene and healthy practices for His people to follow and shows how well He cared for the health of humanity long before the advent of Western medicine.
Today He has graciously given us the means and ability throughout history to develop new and improved ways to care for and aid in the healing of the human body and has increased our understanding of the amazing and highly complex design of both our brains and bodies.
At no time, however, should we forget that God alone is able to direct our lives as He sees best.
Though we may carefully avoid harmful food excesses, damaging products, contagious germs or dangerous situations, God alone sees the future.
He is aware of all potential traffic accidents, work hazards, wars, famines, incurable diseases and toxic elements. And through it all He so carefully and tenderly holds our lives in His hands.
The verses “Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8 KJV) and “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10 KJV) tell us who it is who has dominion over our lives.
Though we may carefully avoid harmful food excesses, damaging products, contagious germs or dangerous situations, God alone sees the future.
He is aware of all potential traffic accidents, work hazards, wars, famines, incurable diseases and toxic elements. And through it all He so carefully and tenderly holds our lives in His hands.
The verses “Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8 KJV) and “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10 KJV) tell us who it is who has dominion over our lives.
In His Word, God has given us direction for both our mental and physical health.
I wouldn’t mind if the Bible was a bit more direct sometimes but yet I’m so thankful that God has given us the gift of choice; He hasn’t left us with an impossible rule book to follow for even the most minor of decisions.
Though this same gift can also be a burden as we know we must deal with the consequences of our decisions, we can take our cues from the following verses.
Corinthians 6:19-20 is an admonition to care for our physical bodies and to keep them pure: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (NIV)
James 4:17 says “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (NIV)
I wouldn’t mind if the Bible was a bit more direct sometimes but yet I’m so thankful that God has given us the gift of choice; He hasn’t left us with an impossible rule book to follow for even the most minor of decisions.
Though this same gift can also be a burden as we know we must deal with the consequences of our decisions, we can take our cues from the following verses.
Corinthians 6:19-20 is an admonition to care for our physical bodies and to keep them pure: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (NIV)
James 4:17 says “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (NIV)
For mental health (as well as physical), Philippians 4:4-7 gives great direction: “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
It’s followed by an admonition to think on things that are honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and having virtue and praise; and finally, “whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
It’s followed by an admonition to think on things that are honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and having virtue and praise; and finally, “whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
I think it comes down to caring for ourselves in a responsible way, just not in an obsessive way.
Our foremost concern should be laying up treasure in heaven; if we’re obsessing over health issues we really aren’t conserving a lot of mental space to pursue godly treasures.
Our foremost concern should be laying up treasure in heaven; if we’re obsessing over health issues we really aren’t conserving a lot of mental space to pursue godly treasures.
“For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:30-34 KJV)
If you missed Part 1, Trusting God With Our Health Care Decisions, you can read it here.
Is there a Bible verse that has inspired you regarding the health of your family? Share in the comments.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:30-34 KJV)
If you missed Part 1, Trusting God With Our Health Care Decisions, you can read it here.
Is there a Bible verse that has inspired you regarding the health of your family? Share in the comments.
Grace for Motherhood Overwhelm 