Sound Heart

The health of the body consumes a lot of time, energy, and attention in our culture, but Christians should also be aware of the body’s connection to the soul. What we choose to believe doesn’t just have eternal consequences; there are temporal consequences too. The condition of our hearts isn’t just a matter of eating heart-healthy food. It’s also important to put the God of love first in our thinking and purpose.

When we place him first, we calm ourselves, we are more aware of our surroundings, and we’re focused on others. These decisions lead to a longer life. If we are consumed by greed and envy, we bring anger and negativity into our thoughts. That will shorten our breaths, tighten our stomachs, and increase stress. This will, according to today’s verse, be rottenness to the bones which is a poetic way to say those thoughts will shorten a life.

Dear God, give me a healthy body so I can serve you longer and bring joy to those around me. I pray for good health rather than dependency on others if it is your will.