How is your health? This is a question that is frequently asked. It normally applies to our physical health, and we may be asked many times throughout our lives.

When my tenth great-grandchild arrived in October, there were many times when I was asked about his health. He was born with transposition of his great arteries, which meant that oxygen was not flowing properly. Within days, he had open-heart surgery that took over six hours. Fortunately, the brilliant staff at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were successful in correcting the problem.

One morning after his operation, his parents were returning to the hospital after having spent a few hours resting at home. Speeding along the freeway at 130 kilometres per hour, they were stopped by a policeman. Tim immediately decided to agree that he was indeed exceeding the limit. He then explained where they were going and why they were rushing back to the hospital. He also produced a picture of his son, taken immediately following the surgery, that showed all the tubes keeping him alive.

The shocked police officer then said, "God bless you. My family and I will be praying for you." He then sent them on their way without a speeding ticket. Those prayers were answered, and on the six-week anniversary, it was a joy for me to hold him and observe him behaving like a baby his age should. His health is good.

Now, I live in a residence where many residents are in their nineties. Inquiries as to the state of our health are very common. From our birth to close to our death, our physical health is a topic of intense interest to us all.

Lately, there has also been increasing interest in mental health. Whereas it used to be avoided in discussion, it is now increasingly recognized as a legitimate illness.

I have been told that as many as seventy-five percent of our physical illnesses are psychosomatic. We are truly complex beings with a strong connection between our minds and our bodies.

But the most important question that should be asked is "How is your spiritual health?"

Whether we live nine days or ninety years, we can be sure that our physical bodies will waste away and die. Our mental faculties may or may not remain healthier than our physical body. But we can be absolutely positive that our spiritual dimension will be eternal.

Why God created us like He did is a great mystery. He allows our physical and mental health to deteriorate, but He desires our spiritual health to strengthen continually.

2 Corinthians 4:16 – Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (NIV)

May we each strive to know Him better and to serve Him and others positively.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to be aware of our spiritual health. Help us to understand Your great love shown by the gift of Your Son, Christ Jesus. As we accept Him, may our health continue to strengthen. In His name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Vincent Walter <vwalter@bell.net>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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