I NEED to be HEALTHY!

I spent Monday and Tuesday this week with a group of Indiana pastors in Denver, Colorado. What a wonderful time of learning and growth. One thing that captivated me yesterday was what I will label as "Self Care" training. That is certainly not what they called it, but in reality that is what they were talking about. A pastor has to take care of themselves before they can take care of their flock. I thought that was great insight. That care covers four areas: Relational Health, Spiritual Health, Mental Health, and Physical Health. In order to be the leader God wants US to be (this is not just about a pastor, but it is about ALL DISCIPLE MAKERS) we need to take care of ourselves. HE PROVIDES THE TOOLS, WE JUST HAVE TO ACCEPT THEM!

When I read about all of Paul's trials and persecution, I am amazed at his resiliency, his patience, and his ability to keep his life from spiraling out of control. When Paul was on trial before Felix in Acts 24, God saw to it that Paul was taken care of:

"At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, 'Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander arrives. Then I will decide the case.' He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs." (Acts 24:22-23, NLT)

Did you read that? God made sure Paul was take care of. HIS NEEDS WERE MET. There is a big difference between or needs and our wants. (I know, it seems pretty simple!) GOD will MEET OUR NEEDS. He will PROVIDE, Jehova Jireh. Felix probably thought he was being pretty kind. It had nothing to do with Felix and had everything to do with GOD. 

God will meet our needs. And those tips I got about self-care spell out what NEEDS we really have. We NEED to be healthy RELATIONALLY, especially with other Christian brothers and sisters. Paul needed his friends. We NEED to be healthy SPIRITUALLY, spending time in God's word, praying, and worshipping the God who made us! We NEED to be healthy MENTALLY. What do you think about? Do we treat our emotions as bad? Do we supress them? This is such a huge need in our society. We NEED to be healthy PHYSICALLY. YIKES! that is the hardest one for many of us. It is not about fad diets or losing weight. It is about getting exercise, eating right, and getting enough rest! (Those are ALL my greatest weakness.

God NEEDS US to be healthy. He provides for ALL OUR NEEDS if we just let him. I will be so bold to say if we do not accept the gift of HEALTH that God so graciously provides, we are sinning against God. We abuse our bodies and then expect God to fix them. We abuse our minds with filth and trash, and then expect God to fix them. We abuse our souls, and then expect God to fix them. AND YES, through his grace he WILL fix them. But, maybe we (I) should take the GIFT of HEALTH more seriously and take care of this Temple God has given me. 

"At the moment I have all I need -- and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:18-19, NLT)