Physical Resilience

My 10th grade teacher asked our class what was our one wish? A classmate wished everyone in her family could be healthy. At the time I thought, “What a dumb wish!” Someone in her family must have had health issues. I did not understand it then, but I do now. My father and sister both died at 56. Now my mom has severe memory loss. I have two degrees from ORU. Oral Roberts was a visionary. He was a leader in emphasizing the whole person—in body, mind and spirit: “May your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23) Jesus spoke to the spirit and soul, but also healed bodies. Paul said our bodies were important: “With full courage now as always, Christ will be honored in my body,” and will be transformed in heaven. (Philippians 1:20)

The joke is, it is called COVID “19” because since it hit, we all have gained 19 pounds. Staying physically strong is challenging but essential. Christians tend to condemn some unhealthy behaviors while ignoring others. We often overlook the stewardship of our bodies. This saying is tacky but can be true: “He dug his grave with a knife and fork.” The Old Testament esteemed the human body. It provided many rules and regulations to keep it healthy and safe (particularly in Leviticus 13- 16). An integration of the physical and spiritual is fasting.