Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Peace and Health (Guest Post from Dave Fletcher)

Today, I share Dave Fletcher’s thoughts on the peace that Jesus leaves us.  Dave is the Founder and Director of Faith and Health Connection. Begin quote

To Trust in God Promotes Inner Peace and Health – John 14:27

DECEMBER 13, 2012 BY DALE FLETCHER

To trust in God promotes health.  When you are anxious and in a state of inner turmoil, the systems of your body interact in ways that are not good for your health. The nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular and immune systems interact with one another in such a way as to have an adverse impact on your physical health. Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the body. A variety of health conditions are linked to poorly managed psychological stress – low back pain, high blood pressure, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, rashes, abdominal pain, insomnia, headaches, panic attacks and the common cold are a few conditions.

Conversely, when you’re in a state of inner peace, the body is in a state called homeostasis. This is when all your bodily systems are functioning well and good physical health is promoted.

God knows that it’s not good for you to worry or to be anxious and that’s why he inspired authors of the Bible to address this issue in their writings to us. He wants you to trust in God and his promises.

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”  Proverbs 12:25

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.”  Matthew 6:25

Jesus’ solution to troubling life circumstances is to bring your concerns to him in prayer… and to trust in God – that he will attend to matters.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

When you give your concerns to God and trust in him, you can have inner peace.   Jesus tell us –

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

The peace that Jesus provides is unlike any peace that other people and other things can give you. The peace that Jesus provides also brings your bodily systems to a state of homeostasis… and this is good for your health.  God designed our bodies, including our mind, to function in a way according to his guidelines to us in the Bible. He knows that to trust in God promotes peace, and that when we experience his peace, well being and good physical health are promoted.

When we have good physical health, we’re better able to to use the gifts God’s given us to serve in his Kingdom.  When this happens, God is glorified.

That’s why it’s important to trust in God.

End Quote

Tomorrow, we move to the next fruit of the Spirit, patience. Hope you can wait. 😉

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for extending you peace to us.  Help us to trust you with all that would disturb that peace. Amen.

 

Prayer Focus:  Spend some time identifying the stresses in your spirit that are robbing you of Jesus’s peace.  Offer them to God

 

Song:  Peace Like a River

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3cnKDpWXy8

Source: https://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/to-trust-in-god-promotes-inner-peace-and-health-john-1427/

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