Becoming Healthy HumansSample

Becoming Healthy Humans

You were created by God to be healthy and whole, full of life, and free from anxiety. But, unfortunately, that is miles away from what many of us experience in our day-to-day lives—which creates all sorts of problems.

We are emotionally frayed, like a rope hanging on by a single thread. So instead of putting God first and giving others our best, we struggle to even give them the scraps.

We are spiritually drained, like the last drops of a puddle under the scorching sun. So instead of pursuing God faithfully and serving others sacrificially, we end up just going through the motions.

We are mentally crumbling, like a cliff face that’s been beaten down by wind and waves over time. So instead of being focused in prayer and intentional in our relationships, we barely hold ourselves together enough to coast through the day.

We are physically exhausted, like an explorer desperately trying to cross a vast desert. So instead of attacking our days with enthusiasm and energy, we drag ourselves from one thing to the next until we eventually drag ourselves to bed for another night of restless sleep.

If some of that—or all of that—sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone. This is both bad news and good news. It’s bad news because this is not the way things are supposed to be. It’s good news because you don’t have to figure this out on your own, and you don’t have to fight this battle alone.

And the really, really good news is that God longs to help you become healthy and whole, full of life, and free from anxiety. He is so invested in this becoming true for you that He became a human to paint a picture of what’s possible, and He sent His Spirit to strengthen us and guide us into lives that are rich and vibrant.

Pursuing that kind of life, becoming healthy and whole, doesn’t just make your life better—it allows you to love God and love others better, too. And that matters immensely. In fact, Jesus would go so far as to say that’s actually what matters most.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 NIV

You were created by God to be healthy and whole, full of life, and free from anxiety—for your sake and for the sake of others. Because your purpose on this earth is bigger than you. It’s about loving God with your whole self and loving your neighbor as yourself. And it’s really hard to do those things well when we are emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically unwell. So what do we do?

Before we go any further, it’s very important we’re all on the same page: Becoming healthy and whole is not easy. If it was, everybody would do it. It takes work, dedication, and commitment. And while this Bible Plan can help you start moving in the right direction, it will not take you all the way to the destination. And while the Spirit of God will empower you to do more than you could ever do on your own, the Holy Spirit will not mystically take over your mind and body and live your life for you.

1. You have a part to play. And nobody else will do your part for you.

That’s the first big idea you need to internalize if you want to take this stuff seriously. But, that’s not all. Because if you really want to see progress, you’ve got to …

2. Commit to stick with it.

Starting is easy. Finishing is hard. So, pre-decide to push through when things get tough. And, the last big thought for today is …

3. Build a team so you aren’t on your own.

It is absolutely true that nobody can do your part for you, but that does not mean you need to do this alone. In fact, trying to become healthy on your own might be the least wise way of going about it. We are better together. No question.

So, take responsibility for your part, commit to finishing this Bible Plan, and invite some people to join you as we embark on a journey to become healthy humans.