5 Reasons God Should Be the Biggest Influencer of Your Wellness Journey

In addition to being “The Great Physician,” God is also “The Great Creator.” I once told a friend to whom I was witnessing that God is “The Great Engineer” because my friend’s background is engineering, and I believed he’d get a kick out of the connection. It’s also true that God engineered our bodies with many complex systems and processes that keep us alive. For example, there’s the cardiovascular system, nervous system, respiratory system, circulatory system, and so much more. There’s a very intricate blend of many minerals and vitamins that are needed to keep the body functioning at top capacity. If anything gets out of balance for any reason, we’ll experience health problems. Truly, He “formed our inward parts,” and we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139: 13-14). He knows how to restore order and can reveal that through healthcare providers, His Word, or a combination of both.

The healthier we are, the easier it is to be involved in the work of the Lord with the talents, skills, and giftings He has given to us. God has put many types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs on this earth for our benefit. The vitamins, minerals, fiber, and natural sugar these items provide help the body maintain its health and even make some repairs on its own. Even the animals are for our benefit since many of them provide the protein our bodies need to function properly. Believe it or not, even a reasonable amount of carbohydrates and fats are necessary. Getting enough water and sleep are likely the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle. 

Experts generally break down essential nutrients for a healthy lifestyle into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are what provide our bodies with energy, and in general, those are made up of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Micronutrients are basically made up of vitamins and minerals, which support the immune system, metabolism, cells, and more, according to Healthline. 

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God set up the idea of adequate rest from the very beginning of time. In the book of Genesis it specifically states that God “rested” from creating everything on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). When Elijah had been extremely busy with God’s work and was tired and possibly even feeling burned out, he went and slept under a broom tree for a while (1 Kings 19:5-8). 

Today, it’s just as important for us to get adequate sleep. When we’re sleep deficient, we’re more vulnerable to colds, the flu, and even more serious ailments. When we get adequate sleep (about 7-8 hours per night), it benefits our mental health, heart health, blood sugar regulation, ability to function mentally, benefits our immune system, reduces stress, helps with physical functioning, and helps with weight control, according to the Sleep Foundation. 

We live in a day and time when many of us spend our work day behind a desk. So it’s important to take time to exercise. Not only does adequate exercise lower stress levels, but the release of endorphins enhances our mental health and the physical activity puts us at a lower risk for serious diseases. Adequate exercise can also help with a better quality of sleep, according to Healthline. In general, about 30 minutes five times per week is considered the minimum amount for maintaining your present weight, according to Harvard Health Publishing. That can also be broken up into 15 minutes twice per day if that’s a better scheduling fit.

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The Lord was very involved in even the practical aspects of the lives of the Hebrews in the Old Testament. Many of the laws He instructed them to keep in the Old Testament were connected to helping them maintain their health in practical ways. In the 11th chapter of the book of Leviticus, the Lord was very specific about what the Hebrews should and shouldn’t eat. 

Today, many people refer to this specific diet (with minor alterations) as The Mediterranean Diet. It has been linked to being especially beneficial to those who struggle with heart disease or come from a background that puts them at high risk for heart disease, according to The Cleveland Clinic. It’s also believed that this diet may help stabilize blood sugar and lower cholesterol and triglycerides, according to Medline Plus. In addition, The Endocrine Society has found that the Mediterranean Diet may help reduce the symptoms of menopause. For more information on the Mediterranean Diet, check out The Bible Cure by Dr. Reginald Cherry.