The Call to Holistic Health

Last week I visited my doctor for my annual physical, and like each year, I was reminded of the holistic nature of health. In many ways I am a really healthy person. I'm not overweight, I play basketball multiple times a week, I play soccer and mountain bike all summer long, and am generally in good shape. Yet, once again, my blood-work showed that my cholesterol and triglycerides are high and I have some work to do in order to get healthier in that area. My diet must change, my soda consumption must lower, and my vitamin usage must increase. Just because I'm healthy in some ways does not necessitate overall, holistic health.

And it is the same way with every part of our lives. We may have good physical health while our mental health is eroding. We may have healthy families while our spiritual health is severely lacking. We may be killing it at work and while our marriages are falling apart.

But God wants us to be holistically healthy. We are challenged to love God with our heart, soul, strength, and mind -- which means that we must be strong and healthy in all of these areas. So, I was reminded, last week, that God wants us to be healthy in every aspect of our lives. Let's celebrate our strengths and commit to working on our weaknesses. Let's commit to the spiritual discipline of being healthy in every way imaginable.