The role of spiritual health in treating patients isn’t anything new to many of us in the healthcare community.
Many of us in practice might have ignored the influence of spiritual issues during our early years of caring for patients. With my many years in practice, it’s become harder and harder to ignore the importance of the connection of spirit, soul, and body.
When we realize the most real part of us is our spirit, it makes it more of an importance to consider the influence our spirit has on the workings of our flesh.
Just as your car will sit idle without you at the controls, the intricate workings of your body need input to fully respond properly. Your soul, which includes the mind, will, and emotions, is what links the spirit with your flesh. Just as your hands control your vehicle, under the control of you thoughts, so the mind, will, and emotions direct the functions of your body.
Physical maintenance is crucial if we expect the vehicle to perform properly. This is where diet, rest, and exercise are important for maintaining the health of the flesh.
The physician may be confused at why you continue to experience health challenges when you’re doing all the physical maintenance properly. The reason may lie in the fact that your thoughts and emotions have a greater influence on your health than the food you eat. You’re more dominantly spirit than you are flesh.
Your flesh is temporary, and needs proper care. Your spirit requires maintenance even more than your flesh does. Ignoring spiritual health is like letting go of the steering wheel, hoping your car gets you home.
Without a solid spiritual foundation, you have nothing to fall back on when life gets hard. Feeling alone and abandoned is something I’ve seen connected with many illnesses. Those who know they’re loved, either in a strong supportive family, or due to a loving relationship with their creator, tend to exhibit far less health challenges.
I’ve seen many spiritual directions in my associations with other health care providers. Some follow Buddha, some New Age, others, a variety of belief systems. All in search of a feeling of belonging and being loved.
As a follower of Christ, I’ve personally found a sense of being loved and accepted, which tends to limit fear and anxiety. These negative emotions of the soul tend to direct biochemical changes which set up destructive changes in the body.
The last sixteen years has been a time of spiritual growth for me, as I’ve been actively engaged in a Christian motorcycle outreach which focuses on sharing the love of Jesus to the lost. During which time, many who were lost and alone have had dramatic changes in their lives, which has in turn been reflected in their physical health and wellbeing as well. If you are curious about this outreach, go to www.chariotsoflight.com.
Part of being a good physician involves seeking those who exemplify what I personally would like to strive for. One of Jesus disciples was a physician as well. Luke was a follower of Jesus, and a good model to follow. Although Luke was the physician, I like to follow after my name-sake, John, the disciple of Love. Loving others is what truly makes the greatest difference in anyones life and health.
If you feel lost and alone, consider this: God loves you! Get connected with those who regularly embrace a healthy relationship with their Lord. Find a good Bible believing church, and get connected. Good medicine is far more than what you put in your mouth, It’s what you put in your heart.
Many of us in practice might have ignored the influence of spiritual issues during our early years of caring for patients. With my many years in practice, it’s become harder and harder to ignore the importance of the connection of spirit, soul, and body.
When we realize the most real part of us is our spirit, it makes it more of an importance to consider the influence our spirit has on the workings of our flesh.
Just as your car will sit idle without you at the controls, the intricate workings of your body need input to fully respond properly. Your soul, which includes the mind, will, and emotions, is what links the spirit with your flesh. Just as your hands control your vehicle, under the control of you thoughts, so the mind, will, and emotions direct the functions of your body.
Physical maintenance is crucial if we expect the vehicle to perform properly. This is where diet, rest, and exercise are important for maintaining the health of the flesh.
The physician may be confused at why you continue to experience health challenges when you’re doing all the physical maintenance properly. The reason may lie in the fact that your thoughts and emotions have a greater influence on your health than the food you eat. You’re more dominantly spirit than you are flesh.
Your flesh is temporary, and needs proper care. Your spirit requires maintenance even more than your flesh does. Ignoring spiritual health is like letting go of the steering wheel, hoping your car gets you home.
Without a solid spiritual foundation, you have nothing to fall back on when life gets hard. Feeling alone and abandoned is something I’ve seen connected with many illnesses. Those who know they’re loved, either in a strong supportive family, or due to a loving relationship with their creator, tend to exhibit far less health challenges.
I’ve seen many spiritual directions in my associations with other health care providers. Some follow Buddha, some New Age, others, a variety of belief systems. All in search of a feeling of belonging and being loved.
As a follower of Christ, I’ve personally found a sense of being loved and accepted, which tends to limit fear and anxiety. These negative emotions of the soul tend to direct biochemical changes which set up destructive changes in the body.
The last sixteen years has been a time of spiritual growth for me, as I’ve been actively engaged in a Christian motorcycle outreach which focuses on sharing the love of Jesus to the lost. During which time, many who were lost and alone have had dramatic changes in their lives, which has in turn been reflected in their physical health and wellbeing as well. If you are curious about this outreach, go to www.chariotsoflight.com.
Part of being a good physician involves seeking those who exemplify what I personally would like to strive for. One of Jesus disciples was a physician as well. Luke was a follower of Jesus, and a good model to follow. Although Luke was the physician, I like to follow after my name-sake, John, the disciple of Love. Loving others is what truly makes the greatest difference in anyones life and health.
If you feel lost and alone, consider this: God loves you! Get connected with those who regularly embrace a healthy relationship with their Lord. Find a good Bible believing church, and get connected. Good medicine is far more than what you put in your mouth, It’s what you put in your heart.
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