The author of these proverbs wrote over 2000 years ago about the importance of taking care of our heart. 
A traditional version of the Bible records Proverbs 14:30 this way: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” A more contemporary version reads: “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” And in Proverbs 4:23 the author writes: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
What is the condition of your heart? Not your physical heart but your inner or spiritual heart? If you are at peace deep inside your soul then you stand a better chance of being healthier in the long run. But if deep in your soul or spirit you are storing emotions such as resentment, bitterness, guilt or envy your body is likely to incur some physical ailments as explained at this web site. Over time, these emotions can weaken your body’s immune system, making you more likely to get colds and other infections.
The only sure-fire way I know to rid myself of these types of damaging emotions is to turn to God in a deeper way. It’s only with His help that I can let go of these strong emotions so that I can be in a state of inner peace. When I focus on the nature of God my deep inner feelings are one of hope, calmness, serenity and peace. When our bodies are in this type of state it is conducive to good emotional and physical health.
So, consider taking a heart check… not the kind of exam that your cardiologist would administer but the kind of self examination that looks, and feels what’s going on deep inside your spirit and inner heart. If you find or feel emotions that are not conducive to peace, turn to God in a deeper way and ask Him to take away these damaging emotions. Then you have a role to play…. you’ll need to release them to God’s care.
Go have a peaceful day!
stephanie Gibson says
April 22, 2008 at 11:08 AMI just discovered this web site and Iwas very interested. I do have one comment. I noticed that several of the devotions point us toward God and getting close to God. However there seems to be little mention of Jesus Christ as the only way in which we can even achieve that aim, (of getting close to God,) or having peace with God. sometimes I tend to think that i can just draw near to God by certian acts of my will like devotion, or Bible reading, or church fellowship- but I have to remember that Jesus said himself that he was the only way to the Father and no one could come to the Father but by him. So this reminds me of the importance of God sending his son which is what he prayed that we would believe in John 17:21 “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Dale says
April 22, 2008 at 11:18 AMStephanie,
I really appreciate your comments. You are so very right. As Christians, we only have access to God and all his power and grace through His son Jesus Christ. The last post I made on that topic specifically was here: http://www.faithandhealthconnection.org/weekly-health-scripture-he-died-to-make-you-whole-and-give-you-life-isaiah-53/
If you click on the Tag Cloud for Jesus on the blog, you’ll find other posts about Jesus.
Have a blessed day!