Holistic Health, part seven

Last time we looked at what God does.

This time we look at how we can do like God does!

Be Creative: Step outside of your normal routine of thinking and behaving. Engage in some artistic endeavor: write, draw, sculpt, play an instrument, sing, play games, do Sudoku,…the healthiest people engage in activities that challenge their skills/knowledge. They are always growing.

Be Righteous: We ought to treat people fairly. We ought not be prejudiced or biased. Scriptures teach us not to treat the rich with favoritism and the poor with distain (see James 2) We ought to act with integrity. Do the right thing, even when people aren’t looking.

Be Kind: People in our path, family and friends (even enemies) should be treated with kindness. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another…knowing that God has been kind to you! The man who had a great debt forgiven, refused to forgive a much smaller debt to another man. His lack of compassion and “passing on the blessing” he had received, left him in danger of eternal punishment. To say the least, God disapproved of his lack of kindness.

Hold your charges to account: Our children, our church members, younger brothers and sisters, are not benefited by our inability to confront them when they are unruly. You can forgive someone without encouraging continued sin. (See Gal. 6.1)

Be Gracious: My father-in-law was an expert at Grace. He taught me to disagree with dignity. He also taught me to truly forgive sinners.

Be Understanding : Means showing empathy. Put yourself in the other person’s place.

Be Generous: Give to those who have need. Not begrudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Be Merciful: We are so quick to be harsh to those who offend us. Be quick to be like God in His mercy.

Be Beautiful: I know what some of you are thinking, but beauty goes beyond the aesthetic. True beauty is expressed in virtue (e.g. Prudence, Temperance, Justice, Fortitude)

Be Joyful: Oh, be joyful. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!

Be Peaceful: Phil. 4: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by joy…

Be Patient: 1 Cor. 13: Love is patient.

What should we be doing? Find out what God does and do that!