Above All Things…..

It’s almost Resurrection Sunday.

In my culture, we believe in the Creator God.  That evolution story don’t work out too well for us.  We also often joke about going to church.  Some of us, who aren’t regular church goers,  show up faithfully twice a year……for Easter and Christmas.  I remember my momma telling us that when she and my dad first got married, they decided to go to Easter Sunday service.  Both their family churches, Mt. Pisgah AME and Salem Baptist were packed!!  They could hardly find a seat.  My People!!  LOL!!

As we celebrate the Death and Resurrection of the Christ this year, I am reminded of what that sacrifice means to me.  And while this is a high time in Christendom and I am so grateful for the ultimate sacrifice, I am most inspired by what God’s greatest wish for me is…..that I prosper and be in health.

Last year I had a chance to share about health with a group I am a part of. As a Health Educator, I have memorized and taught what we understand and believe to be the definition of good health professionally.  This time, since it was a faith group,  I decided to take a look at the meaning of health from God’s perspective.  Just did a little search and boy was I surprised at my findings.  The Hebrew and Greek explanations paint a picture of wholeness!!  God’s vision for us is so much more than we could ever ask, think or imagine.  Each definition was couched in context……whether someone was sick or running for their life or a worshipper needing to understand a concept.  It was so much bigger than not being physically sick. Look it up for yourself……especially if you call yourself a healer.

During the month of April, we also celebrate Minority Health Awareness Month.  The theme this year is “Better Health Through Better Understanding”. This theme focuses on improving health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority and AI/AN communities by providing them with culturally and linguistically competent healthcare services, information, and resources. When patients are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate information, they are empowered to create healthier outcomes for themselves and their communities.(https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/nmhm/)  Simply put, talking to people about health in their own language.

For Black people, that means honoring their faith and how it shapes our lives.

We believe in the Creator God.

We believe that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

We believe that God is the Great Physician and the Ultimate Healer.

We already know what His greatest wish for us is.

We believe in the power of prayer.

We believe God’s promises.

We believe in folk/natural remedies.

We believe that death, while a painful experience, brings deliverance from sickness.

We believe in eternal life.

If we believed all of the poor prognoses about Black folk’s health however, we would be unable to bear it all or turn any of the data around.  But, we have the power to change all of it.  And, it rests in our choices.

We have to acknowledge the power of the Creator available to us that brings about wholeness and healing.

We have to recognize the healting that God wants for us.

We have to acknowledge the impact of the power of choice that we have on health outcome.

We have to cast off the “blame the victim” scenario that is often put on us.

We have to call out the oppressive systems that war on us and wear away at our very beings, increasing our risk for all disease outcomes.

We have to realize that we are part of an unequal system that bases its information/standards on people outside our culture.

We have to engage with competent, culturally relevant  medical professionals that understand our culture and their role for our health in the hands of God.

We have to eat better and move more and stop using harmful substances and stop abusing our families and overworking and making excuses.

We have to be brave enough to break generational patterns and behaviors that harm us.

We have to be willing to do the hard emotional work through the trauma that paralyzes us and make therapy something to be cherished.

We have to actually honor these body temples.

We have to do the hard work to be set free, so that we can have God’s wish above all things…..that we prosper and be in health.

We have to decide that “Whatsoever we eat or drink or do, it’s all to the glory of God.”

As I watched my own family members navigate the health care system during their own health journeys, I was amazed at their responses and compliance when culturally relevant care was provided.  We are worth it!!

To those entering/serving racial and ethnic minorities and AI/AN communities…..leave your biases at the door…….enter each encounter with caution and care.  Come with culturally and linguistically competent healthcare services, information, and resources that honor our traditions.  Empower communities to create healthier outcomes for themselves.  And, return to your space in the universe with respect for what you have learned.  It’s life changing I tell ya!!

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2

Above All Things!!! Blessings on you this Resurrection Season.  He Is Risen!!  Victory is Yours!!   It’s First Thursday!!

I’m Still Shoutin’ Ova Here.

Donna

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