HEART, HEALTH AND HEALING (4)

“As in water face reflects face, so a man’s HEART reflects the man” – Proverbs 27:19

Our spiritual HEARTS reflect the state of our lives, including our situations of HEALTH and HEALING: “As in water face reflects face, so a man’s HEART reflects the man” (Pro.27:19). Just as gazing into the mirror-like surface of a still water-pool reflects the detailed features of someone’s face, so the qualities residing deep within a heart, reflect one’s character and display the innermost calibre and state of the soul. We’re often quick to identify and criticize the defects we see reflected in the lives of others, but not as swift to identify areas in our own hearts that need to be critically analysed as detrimental to our spiritual development, offered-up to the Lord, and purged.

While we can try to conceal our character behind facades of fashion, tweets, associations, and superficial speeches, our hearts are exposed and transparent before God; and they represent the true reflection of who we are and where we stand in life’s journey. God alone knows our hearts and can read the secret thoughts in the inner recesses of the soul. Likewise, we know who a person truly is by knowing his or her heart. It is not the outside image that someone presents to us that truly reflects who they are. It is what they are in their hearts that matters. However, the outworking of the heart’s concealed attributes – virtues or vices – are demonstrated and expressed through words, attitudes, and actions that manifest a person’s identity.

The question we must ask is, “What kind of heart do I have?” If we are honest with ourselves, we may be shocked at the heinous thoughts and filthy streaks that sometimes run through our hearts and minds. But, we thank God who searches the heart, and transforms it by His Word and His Spirit: “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer.17:10). Every dimension of life is important, but the state of our Health is extremely vital. Safeguarding our health will allow us to fulfil our divine potential and serve God and humanity more effectively. God’s desire is for us to have Sound and Healthy Hearts – mind, emotions, and will – that reflect Healthy Lives through which we can share His healing virtues with others.

Our hearts are so powerful that they can influence our physical health. When we are psychologically or emotionally challenged, disease could invariably result. Psycho-emotional injury refers to damages caused within the body by emotional or psychological disturbance. Our emotional health status is perhaps the single most important determinant of overall health, since it is the foundation from which all of our daily choices are made. Psycho-emotional health is very germane to disease prevention and healing: “A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones” (Pro.14:30, AMP).

In Christ, we have the Grace to purge our hearts of all toxic thoughts and caustic emotions that can injure our health, weaken our immune system, and deny us of long and healthy lives. Such noxious contaminants include: anger, anxiety, bitterness, envy, hatred, malice, and worry. To retain or regain our health, we must adopt a positive and joyful disposition of heart. The Joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh.8:10b). We are to “Rejoice always” (1The.5:16). When we are joyful, hormones that have qualities of natural analgesic (pain relievers) and anti-depressants, are released into our blood. On the other hand, when we are angry, bitter, depressed, hateful, stressed, sad, or sorrowful, chemicals that aggravate an already bad situation of health are released into the blood.

Beyond the personal sustenance of a sound heart and health, God would have us pay priority attention to the hearts and health of persons and institutions within our circles of influence: “Be diligent to know the state of your flock, and attend to your herds” (v.23). None of us is an island to him or her. The collective condition of health of our families, friends, orgaanisations, and communities ultimately influence ours!