SPIRITUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS (2)

“Not lagging in diligence, FERVENT in SPIRIT, serving the Lord” – Romans 12:11

The Bible offers clear indicators of SPIRITUAL HEALTH and WELLNESS: “Not lagging in diligence, FERVENT in SPIRIT, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Rom.12: 11-12). Fervency in Spirit and Attitudes of Service, Rejoicing, Patience, and Steadfastness in Prayer are firm indicators of Spiritual Health, which refers to a state of balance in spirit, mind, and body – stemming from a healthy relationship with God. In turn, Spiritual Wellness is sustained Spiritual Health – one that has become part of our being through healthy exercises, habits, and practice, which helps us to maintain balance in all areas of life. When we get too entwined in the hustle and bustle of life, the first thing that suffers is often our relationship with God.

When God is kept at the centre, everything else in life will balance out! This truth highlights the essence of our Spiritual Health and Wellness. Therefore, knowing how to be spiritually healthy and to stay well, matters a great deal. To be well is to adopt a lifestyle and partake in activities that promote good health and improve the quality of one’s life. Spiritual Health and Wellness affect physical, social, emotional, financial, and occupational wellbeing. It’s odd however, that some Believers ignore their spiritual health at the expense of other life goals, whereas we should spend more time focusing on improving this dimension, along with others.

Although it is not easy to measure Spiritual Health and Wellness, Romans 12: 9-21 leaves no doubt in doubt as to the significant Signs. Like a Diagnostic Examination, the passage raises the following pertinent questions:

Am I increasing in my love of God? – “Let love be without hypocrisy...” (v.9a). Verses 11 and 12 also signify the Love of God.

Am I increasing in my hatred of sin? – “...Abhor what is evil...” (v.9b)

Am I increasing in holy living? (v.9) – “...Cling to what is good” (v.9c).

Am I increasing in my love of others? – “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (v.10). Verses 14 – 18 further these same thoughts.

Am I increasing in generosity to God and others? – “Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (v.13).

Am I increasing in forgiveness and peace-ableness? – “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (vv.18-21).

Am I increasing in the Fruit of God’s Spirit – in Love? This is the bottom-line; the stream that flows through the entire passage.

LOVE is the greatest indicator of Spirituality and of Spiritual Health and Wellness: “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the GREATEST of these is LOVE” (1Cor.13:13). Spiritual Health and Wellness is more about FRUIT than about GIFTS: “I say then: “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…But the FRUIT of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Gal.5: 16, 22-23).

Our Lord Jesus Christ elevates Love to similar status of significance: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jh.13:35). John the Beloved buttressed this truth: “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and LOVE ONE ANOTHER, as He gave us commandment” (1Jh.2:23).  

Fervency in spirit, humility of service, rejoicing in hope, patience in trials, steadfastness in prayer, and the Virtue of Love – Love for God, for the brethren, and even for those outside of the faith, are all significant Signs of growth in Spiritual Health and Wellness.