It is natural for all of us to desire physical health with a body that is free of disease and functioning at its best.
I personally believe that it is also God’s desire that we be healthy; this was certainly part of His original plan for us before the Fall.
In 3 John 2, the following prayer is offered: “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” And in John 10:10, Christ says, “… I came that they may have life, and might have it abundantly.”
Now the abundant life would seem to include our mental, emotional and spiritual health, which are far more significant than our physical health, but I think that abundant life could normally be interpreted to include our physical health as well. If that were not true, they why would Christ’s ministry here on earth have so heavily emphasized the physical healing of the sick, and related so closely to the spiritual principles of spiritual health as well?
Medical science is telling us these days that many of our bodily illnesses are really psychosomatic – that is to say, they are mind-induced or at least mind-assisted. Therefore, when we become exposed to a disease or when we think we might be coming down with one, our mental reaction to the situation might be a key to the outcome. There is nothing wrong with taking all the reasonable medical precautions, but it would also be appropriate to claim God’s basic intention that we be healthy and to pray for good health.
Of course, if we do become ill, we should not necessarily interpret this as an indication of our lack of trust in God. Many times God has some very worthwhile lessons to teach us in sickness. If we become ill, then the appropriate step is to fully receive and apply to our lives whatever it is that God wants to show us.
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