Our theme this year is God First. In the first quarter we’ll be talking about our own relationship with God. A huge part of loving God means that we should care for the bodies God gave us. Physical health is important for spiritual wellbeing. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, Paul urged him, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23 ESV).
Clearly Paul wanted Timothy to get well. It’s interesting that an apostle who had the gift of healing didn’t pray for Timothy or lay his hands on him. Instead, he told Timothy to work on his own health and wellbeing. John was also concerned for the physical health that had a direct impact on the soul of his readers: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” (3 John 1:2).
There is a direct correlation between how we feel physically and how we feel mentally and spiritually. When we are sick, over eat, eat or drink bad foods, or lack exercise, we generally feel bad. Studies show that bad diets contribute to depression. Particularly, processed foods are the worst culprit. Healthy living contributes to a healthy mind and helps keep us fresh, sharp, and better focused on God.