There is a strong connection between our spiritual and physical well-being. We often underestimate the profound impact that our emotions can have on our overall health.
I learned the hard way that pain can often lead to an increase in blood pressure.
In my case, after a hernia surgery that took longer to heal and caused more pain than anticipated, my “normal” blood pressure rose to 165/90 for approximately three weeks. However, I am pleased to report that I have fully recovered, and my blood pressure has returned to a healthy range.
“Above all else, guard our heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
Our spiritual heart, the inner chamber of our being, is responsible for how we react and respond to life’s trials and joys. The spiritually mature person is more likely to remain at peace regardless of circumstances because he has trained the mind to remain focused on God and not the circumstance.
Chronic fear can lead to anxiety and paranoia, creating a constant state of flight. People can literally worry themselves “sick.”
Stress, on the other hand, can manifest as physical tension and disrupted sleep patterns that hinder our ability to find peace and joy in our daily lives. A stressed person is not a pleasure to be around—it spreads and is contagious.
Anger is another emotion that can cause our spiritual heart to malfunction. When anger becomes chronic and unmanaged, it can lead to bitterness, resentment, hatred, and even a heart attack.
Ungodly jealousy wrecks the workplace, churches, and even marriages. It is fear of someone taking your place or getting your glory. It eats away at your inner peace and can cause literal heartache and stomach dis-ease.
Grief is a natural emotion when we lose our loved one or relationship or experience a significant life change. However, when grief becomes prolonged and unresolved, it can create a heavy heart.
Grief can manifest as depression, feelings of emptiness, and a loss of interest in life. It is crucial to acknowledge and process our grief to ensure the healthy functioning of our spiritual heart.
These negative emotions not only affect our relationships with others but also eat away at our inner peace and contentment. They can hinder our ability to experience deeper connections to God and rob us of thankfulness and the joy of living.
The Apostle Paul addressed the immature Christians of Corinth who came from a pagan background with no knowledge of the Torah. They struggled with contention, division, and perversion, they got drunk at Communion, and they took each other to court.
The Corinthian church had troubled homes even though the gifts of the Spirit were in operation in their services (in a disorderly fashion). Simply put, their body was not well.
“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Cor. 12:25).
First Corinthians 13, the Love chapter, was Paul’s remedy for their many issues. Just as the human body requires every part to function properly, each member’s well-being was necessary for the growth and renewal of the community as a whole.
A heart that beats with the rhythm of God’s love is the life-giving force that provides nourishment and vitality to sustain the body.
I Corinthians 13:4-8 serves as a valuable check-up to assess our well-being and ensure that our vital signs align with a state of emotional and spiritual health. By the transformative Power of the Holy Spirit, you will become whole and real and healed.
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant.
It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.
It does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail].
Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], and endures all things [without weakening].
Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].
