Why Does Health Matter?

As leaders in the spiritual community, often our first (and sometimes only) priority is our own spiritual well-being. Because the foundation of our work revolves around relationships with God and each other, and the transformation of our own souls, it’s only natural that our spiritual health is at the forefront of our minds. However, this can lead to neglecting other aspects of our lives, like our emotional and physical wellness. 

Making Physical Health a Priority

Physical health is often the first area that people drop when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. It can feel illogical to go to the gym when a deadline is looming, or it can feel like a waste of time to cook a healthy meal when there is a drive-through on the way home and you really need some sleep. We don’t always consider how our health impacts the well-being of others. We lead by example in all areas. What we permit ourselves to do, others will permit themselves to do. By caring for our health, we are giving those around us permission and encouragement to do the same. 

Our bodies may be the temporary containers for our soul, yet we are dependent on them to live our lives right and to do the work God requires of us.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 

Beautiful Containers

The other day I was turning in some empty bottles for their refund (an Australian program called Containers for Change will refund you ten cents per container) and I thought about the fact that it doesn’t matter what was in the bottle; the refund is always the same. Whether I am turning in an empty bottle of $14 Yellowtail wine or $100 Penfolds, I will get ten cents back for each bottle. This is because the difference in the purchase price is in the content, not the container. 

God created our bodies as beautiful containers for our even more important spiritual contents. It behooves us to care for our bodies so that the contents can mature well and bless many, like good wine.

Taking Care of our Mental Health

Likewise, our emotional health can fall by the wayside. Even though our jobs as mentors and leaders mean we exercise our emotional muscles on a daily basis as we guide others through difficulties, manage conflicts and make tough decisions, sometimes we don’t take the best care of our own feelings. Leaders, mentors, coaches and supervisors need support, rest and joy too! For the sake of our ministry, we should be prioritising time with our friends and family, and time for ourselves. 

All aspects of our lives and ourselves are connected. If one area is neglected, our overall wellness will suffer. For example, if we are not getting the proper amount of sleep, we may be irritable or groggy during our work hours, and not perform to our best abilities. If we dedicate all our time to work, we may isolate ourselves from friends and family, and when we need emotional support, we will not know where to find help. We need to balance our physical, emotional and spiritual self-care to be at our best. 

We all have something to pass on to others; to mentor, to coach, supervise and to help other leaders to thrive. That is our lane here. There is an imperative to prioritise the physical, emotional and spiritual. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you aren’t going to be able to do what God requires. 

Mark 12:30 (NLT)

30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’

Reflection:

• How is your spiritual, physical and emotional health? 
• When was your last check-up with a Doctor? 

What Next?

Who can you talk to to help you lead a balanced life? https://vervelead.com/contact/