The Gift Of Health!!
It was my senior year in college. I took a Health Education Class taught by Luetilla Montgomery Carter at my HBCU Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL. It changed my life. I was now fully committed to helping people learn how to make choices that would improve their health. She had already assisted me in a swimming class, helping me to overcome my fear of jumping from the high dive……Jesus I was terrified!!! But her example of tender, kind, accountable, supportive coaching, helped me make a choice that would add to my own health safety in the years to come.
I memorized the WHO meaning of health -“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”, continued my studies at Loma Linda University School of Public Health and embarked on a fulfilling career of doing just what I’d hoped. In cities like Atlanta, rural locations in Georgia and South Carolina and in educational centers like Huntsville, Alabama, I’ve been privileged to walk with others on their Journey to Better Health.
It wasn’t until my own breast cancer diagnosis and the diagnoses of my parents with cancer and brother with AIDS, that the spiritual component of health kept nagging at me. Where were the tools for that…..how is it measured…..how does it figure in to overall health?
I was reminded of how faith was such an integral part of my undergrad and graduate training. The mission of Loma Linda University is to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ and be committed “To Making Man Whole,” Loma LInda University. In my own situation I was seeking hope. And, when completely honest, as I served others, you could sometime sense the same thing and even see it in their eyes. So, I started honoring the spiritual component. It was easier in some settings than others. A project I worked on with the GA Office Of Minority Health focused on Health and the Black Church. And, for the last 10 or so years, I’ve been involved with the Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative where Faith and Public Health Connect.
A couple of years ago, as I was preparing a presentation on health, I centered it around 3John2 which says “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” I’d memorized this too and often repeated it to others. But, in this moment it hit differently. All these years, as I carefully navigated teaching health to others, I began to seriously wonder what else the Creator had to say about health. After all, according to the text, His GREATEST wish revolved around health. So, I did a little digging and it was life changing.
This Gift of Health means far more than what WHO has to say! As I searched for the word health and decided to see what it meant in context I was shooketh and yet so affirmed and inspired!! Here’s what the Creator had in mind. Here is what He wants for all of us to receive.
Genesis 43:28 - shalowm
Completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, tranquility. peace of human relationships; with God especially in covenant relationship
Psalm 67: 2- yeshuw’ah
Salvation, Deliverance, Victory
Proverbs 16:24 - marpe’
Healing, Remedy, Curative, Medicine
Jeremiah 30:17 - ‘arukah
Wholeness; sense of restoring to soundness, perfected
Acts 27: 34 - soteria
Deliverance,
(from the molestation of enemies, the soul’s safety)
preservation, safety, salvation, future salvation-when Jesus comes, rescue, save.
3 John 2 - hygiaino
To be sound, to be well, to be in good health.
Of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error.
Uncorrupt - true in doctrine
Of one who keeps the graces and is strong.
sound, whole, wholesome, safe.
This also changed my perspective about the outcomes of health. So many of us see lower morbidity or mortality as primary evidence that “health” has improved. But, how many people who see improvements in their labs are still unsafe, in estranged relationships, full of error, weak, afraid, addicted, stressed, victimized by unjust systems, fooled by the illusion of wealth, feeling incomplete……
God wants to change that.
He wants us to have everything that HE says is HEALTH!!
And so, in the instances where the medical report ain't good, we can still have hope and peace and truth and safety and soundness of mind and salvation and tranquility and healing and deliverance and victory. Because, that is HIS wish for us……for all of us.
As we navigate our way through the Holiday Season and the days ahead, may you accept the Gift of Health from the Creator himself, make wise choices to maintain it and share it with others.
Healthy Holidays from my family to yours!! Accept That Gift!! It belongs to YOU!!!
It’s First Thursday Yawl!!
I’m Still Shoutin’ Ova Here!!
Donna
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