Soul Health

Soul Health

Reading: Psalm 117; Psalm 119:81-176; 2 John; 3 John Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is. (3 John 2 NLT) John’s little letter to Gaius is a personal letter from a friend to a friend. John clearly loves and respects Gaius very much and encourages him that he’s doing a good work for God when he is kind to strangers and shows hospitality to traveling missionaries and teachers. It’s customary to greet a friend with a “How are you?” or “Hope you and your family are in good health!” I’ve been more conscious of the blessings of good health as I get older and as Jean and I begin to experience the changes and challenges of aging. I tire more easily. It takes a little longer to snap back from weariness or minor illness. Prescription bottles gather in their small community in the cupboard above the kitchen sink. Good health is such a blessing! I’m more thankful for good health, more compassionate toward those whose health is failing, and more aware of how fragile are the things we so often take for granted. So John’s greeting to Gaius makes me think about Soul-Health. How healthy is my soul?
• Am I free from the low-grade fever of greed?
• Is there any intestinal infection of jealousy?
• Am I free of the cancer of unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness?
• Am I feeding my soul a healthy diet of God’s Word, daily applied to my life?
• Am I exercising my faith until it hurts a little?
• Is my heart selfishness-free and compassion-full? John, thanks for the Soul-Health check-up. Friends, how’s your Soul-Health? Prayer: Father, Thanks for good health. Every little episode of ill-health makes me more grateful for years of physical strength and health. Help me keep my soul healthy. My body may weaken with the years, but I’m contending for a healthy soul for life. Amen.