Now that I am older and on Medicare, I am subject to several regular medical examinations. My family doctor does an annual Medicare general assessment of my overall health. I also have annual examinations performed by my dermatologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist, neurologist, and dentist. Besides these evaluations, when problems are detected, I return for treatments and follow-up. All these tests are designed for early detection of health issues and corrections for problems as they arise, keeping me healthy and strong.
Lamentations 3:40 says, “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” We should give ourselves the same level of testing to our mental, emotional, and spiritual lives that we provide to the physical. We want to be healthy and strong in all areas of life, so we must examine to see if we are doing all that we should be doing and removing the things that can hurt us.
This verse in Lamentations goes further in saying that we should return to the Lord. We cannot maintain mental, emotional, and spiritual health apart from a right relationship with God. He provides peace and loves us with an everlasting love. All that we need to be healthy in the inner person is found in God. If we are living apart from a strong personal relationship with God, we are keeping ourselves from the resources needed for a healthy and abundant life.
Reluctant Retiree 