Monday, August 19, 2019

The healthy soul (2)

To what extent does our soul influence our physical health, you may wonder? The answer is: more than you think!

The numbers vary, but the majority (some statistics say more than 85%) of our physical problems are psychosomatic.

Psychosomatic means: a physical  condition caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress.  It often means that doctors cannot find a physical explanation for symptoms we might have. This is not a shocking discovery. It is something that can be found in the Bible. In 3 John 1: 2 it says:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Here, health is linked to the well-being of the soul. Quite a revelation, but also understandable when we consider what is going on in our soul. Secular writings interchangeably use spirit and soul, but Biblically speaking there is a clear difference (I wrote about this extensively in my book Grace of Giving).

The soul includes our emotions, our mind, our will, our memory and our imagination. Our soul stores things up, is sensitive, is easy to influence, can be damaged, but can also grow and flourish. Let me just mention a few scriptures as an example (read them in the context):
  • Joshua 23:14 ... and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls...
  • Psalm 35:9, ... and my soul shall be joyful in the LORD ...
  • Psalms 41:4, ... have mercy on me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
  • Psalm 42:6 ... O my God, my soul is cast down within me?
And I can go on and on, you can search for 'soul' in the Bible. Taking care of good physical health cannot be separated from taking care of a healthy soul. That reminds me of the invitation Jesus gave:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11: 28-29).

7 comments:

  1. This is very enlightening. Several of the people with whom I worship have special conditions that are non-physical. I find myself trying to minister to two of them. It has been a long road for one of them. Please pray for them and for my efforts to help them. Peace and blessings.

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    1. You are a sweetheart Cecelia, just ministering Gods love to them will be a huge help. I will pray that the Lord gives you wisdom. In my next blog I will write about ministering to others.

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  2. Yes! We are triune beings, made in the image of God. He wants us healthy all the way around! Thanks for these insights, Marja.

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    1. All the way around, that is a great way of putting it Jen, thanks!

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  3. God is good indeed Tracy, and He wants us well and whole! Thank you for stopping by.

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  4. Anonymous10:46 PM

    Hi Marja, that call from Christ to bring Him all our burdens is so awesome, and so sweet and so humbling, but we humans struggle to let it go. It seems too easy, thus how could it work. We should just trust and obey! Great series
    God bless
    Tracy

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    1. Thanks for reading along Tracy and taking time to add your comments, valuable.

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Thanks for your visit, it is my hope and prayer that this post was an encouragement to you! Feel free to leave a comment.