Health – The Heart of the Matter
Anytime any of us read or study information on how to improve our health, the most prominent subjects discussed will be exercise and nutrition. These two components of health improvement are vital and can not be left out if success is expected. At the same time, it is my belief that these two parts are by far not the most important. There are several other key components that everyone must consider if optimum health and “life-long” health are the goals.
One of the most important components of effectively approaching improving your health and life is that there is a proper “order of things” that when followed, improved health and life will come. According to God’s instruction manual for us, we are “spirit-being” people. We are spirit. And in order to optimally improve in life we must recognize this and take care of the spirit, or HEART, part of the equation in our health and life. Take a look at these scriptures that come from The Word of God:
“So God created man in His own image…” Genesis 1:27
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thess. 5:23
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
These few scriptures will lay a foundation for us and help us to understand that our HEART part of us, or spirit, is vital in our health and life success. We all understand that our physical heart is vital for health and life, but we too must understand that our spiritual heart is also very important to nurture, to train, and to build up if we want to see true success in our health and life. There is so much ground that really needs to be covered in regards to this subject, but I expect that the following will give you a good foundation, and most importantly that it will inspire you to further look into this “Heart of the Matter” subject and establish a strong HEART or spiritual basis in your own life.
If you take another look at the above scriptures, you can see: 1) God created us in His own image (He is a spirit and so are we); 2) We are a 3 part being: We are a spirit, we have a soul (mind, will, emotions), and we live in a body; 3) Our heart is a huge key to our life success (He states that as we think in our heart, so we are).
I have personally worked with thousands of people helping them to improve their health and life over the past 15 years. And this issue of “The Heart of The Matter” is one of the first things I discuss with my clients. I tell them up front that if they want to improve their health and life, they can do all the “right” things as far as exercise and nutrition, but if they do not get this spirit, or Heart, issue correct, they are highly subject to fail. See, you can do all the exercise you want, and be near perfect with your nutrition, but if your life is a mess when it comes to the heart issues, then you will never see optimum health and your heart issues will continually counter all your “physical” efforts. Here are some of the “heart” issues that we all deal with, and these are the ones that if you do not choose to (and yes it is absolutely your choice) get control of and strive to improve in they will literally tear you up physically. And realize too that these issues carry over into the “soul” or mind will and emotions part: Emotional issues – fear, worry, depression, bitterness, UNFORGIVENESS; Wrong / Negative self perception – constantly thinking and speaking negatively concerning yourself; Poor Relationship with Christ – not understanding who you are in Christ and what you have through Him.
First of all I believe it is of upmost importance to recognize that God is for you and that He has purposed you to be successful in your health and your life (3 John 1:2). Through Jesus Christ He has empowered you and me to succeed and to overcome any obstacle that we may face in our health and every other area of life. Also, God has empowered us and given us the responsibility to be in control of our emotional state. Let me put it to you this way: If you do not choose to control your emotions, they will control you. There is much evidence through study after study that our emotions do have either a positive or a negative effect on our bodies. And God has given us direct instructions that if we do not choose to control our emotions then we will reap very negative side effects, many of which are physical. Many of the diseases and sicknesses that we see are a direct affect of wrong out of control emotions. For you to get control of your emotional state is much more important than exercising or eating right.
If you do not “see” yourself in your heart as a success, then you will not be a success. You can apply all the “right” actions you want in your health and life, but as long as your heart (your spirit, the real you) does not have faith for success, then your actions will only be short lived. You must push yourself to get within your heart a positive picture and understanding of a bright and successful future if you want to experience true, life long health and improved life. And yes again, you do have complete choice in how you see yourself. I understand that our past can bring negative emotions, perceptions, etc. But you can choose to forget about the past and press on towards a bright future.
This short informative piece can only scratch the surface as far as truly understanding the power of getting to the “Heart of The Matter” and improving your health and life. At the same time though, I believe that as you have read this, it has sparked something inside of you and has inspired you to look into your heart (remember, your spirit, the real you) and choose to be truthful with yourself about any changes you need to make. Remember, exercise and proper nutrition are very important and can not be left out of any true life long result producing health and life program. You must understand though that to follow the “correct order of things” and to choose to establish a strong HEART will help you to truly be successful in your health and life.
Kevin Johnson “KJ”
President
GOD-BUILT, Inc.