Each new year holds the promise of something better. Well before the ball drops in Times Square, people begin planning their resolutions and if surveys are accurate, they tend to focus on fitness. Exercise is good but concentrates on only one area – physical health. Spiritual health, on the other hand, promotes the well-being of the whole man.

1 Timothy 4:8 KJV – “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

God’s Word addresses the real connections between the physical, mental, and spiritual. For instance, Proverbs 16:24 reminds us of the benefits of pursuing and maintaining healthy relationships, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Don’t isolate yourself from the simple pleasure of spending time with a friend. Disconnect from media and get face-to-face with someone you enjoy. Godly friendships are the antidote to isolation and open the door for the encouragement we all need from time to time.

Along with isolation, anxiety has risen to alarming levels. God knows that life is stressful, and in the midst of it, He promises to exchange our worry for His peace. The pressures of life melt away when we repeatedly respond to His invitation, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT). Take a walk and allow the beauty of Creation to fill your heart with worship and praise. Spend time in His Word listening to His heart and His plans for you. Lay your burdens down before the One who knows how to quiet your thoughts. In all of these, He’ll strengthen you when you’re worn down and discouraged. He’ll lift your spirit and show you how to live with joyful anticipation of something better.

Today, if you’re looking for a health strategy that checks every box, choose the one dedicated to the whole person. It’s the surest road to a healthier you…body, soul, and spirit.

– Pastor Jack