Last night I dreamed that Tinkerbell and some Aslan—Savior type character were fighting against the White Witch whose workers were busy manufacturing sugary cereals and ridding the earth of healthy things to drink. I wonder sometimes how these types of dreams can POSSIBLY occur. Some say they’re issues in our subconscious being exposed… but I think sometimes they’re just God’s way of giving us a good laugh.
Today I am, once again, flat on my back… waiting… waiting… waiting for healing to come. But, as many others have experienced, healing takes time. God designed our bodies in such a way as to make it impossible to ignore injury. If something is wrong (illness or injury) and it does not receive the proper attention the rest of the body will begin to react and say, “Hey, there’s a problem somewhere. I won’t let you keep going until you figure out what it is and deal with it.” This is true not only physically, but spiritually. The apostle Paul referred to those who trust in Christ as part of His “Body” and made it clear that every part, even the parts that seem to be less important to it’s function, are indispensable. ” . . . if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26
Whether an illness or injury is physical or spiritual, the same principle applies: the Body is a unit. How you treat it—every part of it – matters. Poor nutrition (physical or spiritual) matters. Abuse (physical, emotional, or spiritual) matters. The body (Body) cannot and will not function as it should if it is not treated well.
More important than anything is our spiritual condition. It is a medical fact that when the spirit/emotions are suffering the body itself will begin to react (stress is one of the biggest causes of bodily injury/illness). It is vital to maintain spiritual, emotional, and mental health in order to thrive physically.
That said, before we begin to worry about our physical condition, we should take note of where we are spiritually. Are we stressed or are we casting our anxiety on Him? Are we depressed or are we lifting our eyes and singing to the One who is able to breathe new life into us? Are we “seeking first the Kingdom” or are we too busy pursuing the things that provide only temporary happiness?
It’s been a difficult few months for me. I love to be outside, to run, to entertain, to sit at the piano and write/beat around on my guitar. But, for some reason, God has chosen to use me in a different way. Yes, that’s right. I trust He’s using this time (and will continue to use it) for His glory. If it’s just to sit at His feet and listen for a while, or to prepare me for what’s ahead, or just to teach me more about Himself… whatever His reasons, He is using it. Again, it has not been easy. But the end result of all of our trials is joy – whether on this side of eternity or the next.
So, how do we obtain and maintain spiritual health? The same way we do physical health: be sure we are getting the proper nutrients (apply this spiritually—be careful what goes in), be careful not to waste our energy on things that ultimately don’t matter, surround ourselves with people who know what it means to love and support us, be sure to exercise (serve others and pour out—we should never focus only on our own well‑being. Remember, the whole Body matters!), learn when it’s time to serve/work, recognize when it’s time to rest…
One more thing… isn’t it incredible to consider that Christ is the “Head” of the Body? His function is like our brain, where everything “registers.” Joy, sadness, health, pain… whatever the body is experiencing, the Head “feels.” In other words: He is the One who tries to let us know when there is a problem . . . oh, it might be the “arm” talking, but the brain is what’s telling the arm to talk. One could ponder that one for a while…
James 5 comes to mind now… I recommend reading verses 9-20 on your own, it really hits home. Here are some excerpts:
” . . . You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. . . Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him . . . pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. . . . ”
Thank you all for your prayers and for your support!
Much love,
Stephanie Staples – Rostad
www.StephanieStaples.com
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